Physiography of Karnataka

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Karnataka is situated on the western edge of the Deccan Peninsular region of India. It is located approximately between 11.5° North and 18.5° North latitudes and 74° East and 78.5° East longitudes.

Physiographically Karnataka State forms two well-designed macro regions of Indian union, they are: The Deccan plateau and the coastal plains or lowlands and Islands

On the basis of geographical structure and relief features the state can be divided into three major physiographic regions:

  1. The Coastal Region
  2. The Malnad Region
  3. The Maidan Region.

These broad natural divisions naturally unfolded themselves, although several studies further divided

Physiographic Divisions of Karnataka

The Coastal Region: –

It is a narrow strip of land about 400 Km length situated between the Western Ghats and Arabian Sea. It lies between 11.4° to 14. 21°North latitudes. It stretches from Karwar town in the North to a little beyond Mangalore city in the South varies between 25 and 65 Kilometers. Its unity lies in its openness to maritime influence. It is a plain of low relief built up of sands alluvium and lateritic materials. It is transitional in character, because it lies between the submerging Bombay coast (Konkana coast) in the North and Emergent Kerala (Malbar) coast in the South consequently. There are no large deltas along the coast probably due to most active South West Monsoon.  the coastal belt is divided  into three longitudinal and parallels belts. They are

Coastal  Plain :- It is a low plain of river deposition

Coastal low plateau:-. It is the product of marine denudation and so can bedescribed as “Marine Platform”.

Coastal Malnad: – The rest of the dissected hill with more forested and less· cleared for field of agriculture area

Malnad Region: –

it is the mainly forested hilly area lying east of the Ghats edge and west of Maidan boundary. It is also known as ‘Sahyadris’. It extends continuous belt through the state, from Northwest to South east, almost close to the Arabian Sea, finally culminating or joining in the mighty Nilgiris. There are many peaks in the Western Ghats. These were formed by the erosional action of rivers on the flat topped residual plateau.

The most important peaks are Mullayyanagiri (1913m) in Bababudangiri hills which is the highest peak of the state. Kalhatgiri (1893m), Kuduremukh (1872m) Devirammanagudda(1817m) Rudragiri (1715m), Meruti (1641m) Ballalarayanadurga (1500m) Varahaparvata (1434m) Kodachadri (1323m), Puspagiri or Subramanya (1731m) Brahmagiri, Mertigudda (1677m) etc. Charmudighat, Agumbeghat and Kollurghat in the Western Ghats provide Communication between the coastal plain and the Malnad region.

The Malnad with its high elevations, steep slopes, rugged relief and heavy rainfall is a  potential source of hydro-electric power. The world famous Jog falls is and well known Shivanasamudram falls situated here. It is a source of many useful rivers. Its dark forest covers a continuous source of fuel timber and other. The slope of the Western Ghats contains coffee and tea plantations. Its delightful natural beauty spots provide excellent centers for tourists. It has deep gorges and valleys lofty ranges and evergreen forest.

Semi-malnad: – It is a long Narrow zone situated between Malnad and Maidan and running north to south for the whole length of the State.

The Maidan Region: –

The Maidan which is a flat and rolling open area situated in the east of the semimalnad. Its monotonous landscape and unvaried relief represents a senile topography. The Maidan gently slop is towards the east and its height increases from North to South like Bidar to Chamarajanagara. The studies divide the Maidan in to two regions. They are:

Northern Maidan Region and Southern Maidan region.

The Northern Maidan Region: -It is also termed as “lower erosion surface” and the height varies from 1200 to 1500 m. It is the land North of the Tungabadra river and to the east of the Western Ghats. It is a Monotonous, seemingly endless plateau, covered with rich block Cotton soils and large open treeless fields. Major part of this region is occupied by the Krishna river Basin. This is highly eroded and dissected by the Bhima, Don, Krishna, Tungabhadra rivers. A low extension of Mahadevo range ending at Bijapur, forms the watershed between the Bhima and the Krishna rivers.

In some of the Limestone areas faulting has resulted in giving rugged appearance to the Landform of the east of Sauvdatti and Badami. The most important water falls of the region Gokak falls in Belgaum. Chayabhagavati and soyala water falls. It is known for severe drought in the state. Districts like Bidar, Bijapur, Gulbarga, Yadgiri, Raichur, Koppal and Gadag are known for frequent severe droughts, larger portion of the region is still under rain fed conditions

The Southern Maidan Region: – Which is also called as “higher erosion surface”, is relatively higher in elevation and more rugged in relief than the Northern Maidan. It is also termed as the “Mysore Plateau, It extends from the Tungabhadra River in the North to Mayor Trench in the South of Chamarajanagara. It slopes towards the east, the Average height varies from 1600 to 1200 Meters.

Its hard crystalline rocks have greatly resisted erosion. It is drained by the Cauvery, Pennar and Ponnaiyer river systems. It has many enselbargs and flat topped hills like Chitradurga hill, Madhugiri hill and Nandhidurga hill. Shrirangapattana and Shimsha are the two important riverine islands of this region formed by the Cauvery River. It is a rain shadow region, rainfall is not only scanty but also the amount of rainfall decreases and the variability increases from west to east. Red and red Sandy soils are predominated which are not highly fertile.,

Karnataka is a state in southern India. It is the third-most populous state in India, with a Population of over 60 million people. The state is bordered by Maharashtra to the north, Goa to the west, Kerala to the south, Tamil Nadu to the southeast, and Andhra Pradesh to the east. The capital of Karnataka is Bangalore.

The physiography of Karnataka can be divided into the following sub-topics:

  • Topography: The topography of Karnataka is characterized by a wide range of Landforms, including Mountains, plateaus, and plains. The Western Ghats mountain range runs along the western edge of the state, while the Eastern Ghats mountain range runs along the eastern edge. The Deccan Plateau occupies the central part of the state.
  • Climate: The climate of Karnataka is tropical, with hot and humid summers and mild winters. The average temperature ranges from 20°C to 30°C. The state receives an average annual rainfall of 700-800 mm.
  • Soils: The soils of Karnataka are predominantly red and black soils. The red soils are found in the drier parts of the state, while the black soils are found in the wetter parts.
  • Water Resources: Karnataka has a number of rivers, including the Cauvery, Krishna, and Tungabhadra. The state also has a number of reservoirs, including the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam and the Tungabhadra Dam.
  • Forests: Karnataka has a large area of forest cover, which is home to a variety of wildlife. The state’s forests are an important source of timber, fuelwood, and other forest products.
  • Minerals: Karnataka is rich in mineral resources, including iron Ore, bauxite, and manganese. The state’s mineral resources are an important source of revenue for the government.
  • Agriculture: Agriculture is the main occupation of the people of Karnataka. The state’s major crops include rice, sugarcane, and cotton. Karnataka is also a major producer of coffee and spices.
  • Industries: Karnataka has a number of industries, including textiles, engineering, and chemicals. The state’s industries are an important source of EMPLOYMENT and revenue.
  • Tourism: Karnataka is a popular tourist destination, with a number of historical and cultural sites. The state is also home to a number of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.

The following are some of the major tourist attractions in Karnataka:

  • The Bangalore Palace: The Bangalore Palace is a 19th-century palace located in Bangalore. The palace is a popular tourist destination and is known for its architecture and gardens.
  • The Mysore Palace: The Mysore Palace is a 19th-century palace located in Mysore. The palace is a popular tourist destination and is known for its architecture and gardens.
  • The Hampi Ruins: The Hampi Ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Hampi. The ruins are the remains of the Vijayanagara Empire, which was one of the largest empires in India.
  • The Badami caves: The Badami Caves are a group of Hindu and Jain caves located in Badami. The caves are a popular tourist destination and are known for their intricate sculptures.
  • The Aihole Caves: The Aihole Caves are a group of Hindu and Jain caves located in Aihole. The caves are a popular tourist destination and are known for their intricate sculptures.
  • The Pattadakal Temples: The Pattadakal Temples are a group of Hindu temples located in Pattadakal. The temples are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are known for their architecture.
  • The Nagarhole National Park: The Nagarhole National Park is a national park located in Nagarhole. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including tigers, leopards, elephants, and deer.
  • The Bandipur National Park: The Bandipur National Park is a national park located in Bandipur. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including tigers, leopards, elephants, and deer.
  • The Kabini National Park: The Kabini National Park is a national park located in Kabini. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including tigers, leopards, elephants, and deer.
  • The Bannerghatta National Park: The Bannerghatta National Park is a national park located in Bannerghatta. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including tigers, leopards, elephants, and deer.

Karnataka is a beautiful and diverse state with a rich history and culture. The state is home to a number of historical and cultural sites, as well as a variety of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. Karnataka is a popular tourist destination and is sure to offer something for everyone.

Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about physiography:

  • What is physiography?
    Physiography is the study of the physical features of the Earth’s surface, including its landforms, climate, and vegetation.

  • What are the different types of physiography?
    The different types of physiography include mountains, plateaus, plains, and deserts.

  • What are the characteristics of each type of physiography?
    Mountains are high, rugged landforms with steep slopes. Plateaus are flat or gently sloping landforms that are higher than the surrounding land. Plains are flat or gently sloping landforms that are lower than the surrounding land. Deserts are dry, sandy landforms with little vegetation.

  • What are the major physiographic features of Karnataka?
    The major physiographic features of Karnataka include the Western Ghats, the Eastern Ghats, the Deccan Plateau, and the Malabar Coast.

  • What are the effects of physiography on human activity?
    Physiography can have a significant impact on human activity. For example, mountains can make it difficult to build roads and railways, while deserts can make it difficult to grow crops.

  • What are some of the challenges of living in a physiographically diverse area?
    Some of the challenges of living in a physiographically diverse area include dealing with extreme weather conditions, such as floods and droughts, and coping with the effects of natural disasters, such as Earthquakes and landslides.

  • What are some of the benefits of living in a physiographically diverse area?
    Some of the benefits of living in a physiographically diverse area include having access to a variety of Natural Resources, such as water, minerals, and timber, and being able to enjoy a variety of recreational activities, such as hiking, camping, and fishing.

  1. Which of the following is not a physiographic region of Karnataka?
    (A) The Western Ghats
    (B) The Eastern Ghats
    (C) The Deccan Plateau
    (D) The Malabar Coast

  2. The Western Ghats are a mountain range that runs along the western coast of India. They are a major source of rainfall for the region. Which of the following is not a characteristic of the Western Ghats?
    (A) They are a Biodiversity-2/”>Biodiversity hotspot.
    (B) They are a major source of hydroelectric power.
    (C) They are a major tourist destination.
    (D) They are a major source of coal.

  3. The Eastern Ghats are a mountain range that runs along the eastern coast of India. They are not as high as the Western Ghats, and they are not as well-known. Which of the following is not a characteristic of the Eastern Ghats?
    (A) They are a biodiversity hotspot.
    (B) They are a major source of hydroelectric power.
    (C) They are a major tourist destination.
    (D) They are a major source of iron ore.

  4. The Deccan Plateau is a large plateau that covers most of central and southern India. It is a relatively flat region, with an average elevation of about 1,000 meters. Which of the following is not a characteristic of the Deccan Plateau?
    (A) It is a major source of agriculture.
    (B) It is a major source of coal.
    (C) It is a major source of iron ore.
    (D) It is a major source of diamonds.

  5. The Malabar Coast is a coastal region in the western part of India. It is a popular tourist destination, known for its beaches, backwaters, and wildlife. Which of the following is not a characteristic of the Malabar Coast?
    (A) It is a major source of spices.
    (B) It is a major source of coffee.
    (C) It is a major source of tea.
    (D) It is a major source of rubber.