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The major physiographic divisions of West Bengal are as follows:
- Extra peninsular mountainous terrain of Darjeeling Himalayas
- Piedmont plain of North Bengal comprising Bhabar-Terai belt
- Peninsular shield area of South-Western Bengal
- Gondwana platform
- Vast low-lying alluvial tract of the southern and eastern part
- Coastal tract of Bengal basin
The northern mountainous terrain covers Darjeeling and part of Jalpaiguri districts. The southwestern Peninsular tract is, in fact, the eastern extension of Chhotonagpur plateau exhibiting rolling topography comprising Purulia, Medinipur, Bankura, Birbhum and part of Bardhaman districts.
North Bengal plain start from the south of Terai region and continues up to the left bank of the Ganges. The southern parts of the district Jalpaiguri, North Dinajpur baring some extreme northern regions, South Dinajpur, Malda, Alipurduar and southern part of Cooch Behar districts constitute this geographical region. The narrow land mass in the North Dinajpur district is known as Mahananda Corridor. This corridor runs north to south joining Malda with the plains of Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Bihar.
The river Ganga flowing from west to east (as Padma, through Bangladesh) and to south (as Bhagirathi) constitutes the major drainage of the central southern part of the state. The drainage is controlled by a number of rivers and streams, viz., Damodar-Kangsabati-Ajoy-Mayurrakshi etc. in the western part. In North Bengal, the Tista, the main drainage channel is controlled by Jaldhaka-Torsa-Raidak-Sankosh-Gangadhar rivers, etc. which are in turn, linked with the Brahmaputra river. Besides, Jalangi, Churni, Jamuna, Ichhamati, Bidyadhari, Matla, Raimongal, Gosaba etc. are some of the principal tributaries or distributaries of Bhagirathi draining different parts of the state. Bengal is proverbially associated with delta. The South Bengal Delta, one of the biggest of its kind is formed by the combined effect of two major rivers, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra along with their tributaries. Major part of the delta is in Bangladesh. An area of approximately 65,000 sq. km. of the Bengal delta is situated in the state of West Bengal. Topographically, the area is gentle to moderately flat with certain microrelict of at places. Drainage is consequent in nature, parallel to sub parallel in the north-western part gradually changing to dendritic to anastomosing towards south-east and anastomosing in tidal flat region. Structurally, Ganga-Brahmaputra delta can be divided into two parts. An imaginary line may be drawn from Kolkata to Maymansingh in the north-east, to understand the division. The slope in the north-western part of this line is only 2 to 3 degree, but, it increased to 6 to 12 degrees in the south-eastern part. Geoloists gave the name of this line as ‘eosine hinge zone’ or ‘KolkataMaymansingh Hinge Zone’.
The Sundarbans is the active part of the Ganga delta. It extends between the Hooghli mouth and Bangladesh comprising 15 thanas (police stations) of south 24-Parganas. To its north and east lie the mature and the moribund delta. The Sundarbans is named after the beautiful ‘SUNDARI’ redwood tree of the tidal forests. The region is still a terra incognita of swampy islands, rivers and mysterious tidal creeks. The land gradually declines to the seaboard which is half-land, half-water, rising and falling with the tides.
A 15 km. wide coastal strip of Midnapur district extends between the Bengal-Orissa border in the west and the Haldi River and mouths of the Hoogly River in the east. This strip has been built up jointly by riverine sand and silt. The beautiful Digha sandy beach has appeared as the sea has retreated. The sea has also left behind salt creeks and marshes. There is a belt of dunes at the back.
The sub-Himalayan tract, known as the West Bengal Duars, or Western Duars, is a part of the Tarai lowland belt between the Himalayas and the plain. Once infested with malaria, the area is now well drained and cultivated. Some of the finest tea plantations of India are situated there. North of the Duars, the Himalayan mountain ranges rise abruptly along the northern boundary of the state. Mount Kanchenjunga, actually located in adjacent Sikkim, dominates the landscape of the area, particularly in Darjiling (Darjeeling). On a clear day, Mount Everest also can be seen in the distance. The elevation of the plain increases slowly toward the west; the rise is most marked near the Chota Nagpur plateau of neighbouring Jharkhand.
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West Bengal is a state in eastern India. It is the third-most populous state in India, after Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. The state is bordered by Bangladesh to the east, Sikkim and Bhutan to the north, Nepal to the north-west, Bihar to the west, Jharkhand to the south-west, and Odisha to the south. The capital of West Bengal is Kolkata, which is also the second-most populous city in India.
The state of West Bengal is divided into seven physiographic divisions: the Himalayas, the Terai, the Bhabhar, the Dooars, the Gangetic Plain, the Sundarbans, and the West Bengal Hills. The Himalayas are the highest mountain range in the world, and they form the northern boundary of West Bengal. The Terai is a narrow strip of land that lies between the Himalayas and the Bhabhar. The Bhabhar is a region of forested hills that lies between the Terai and the Dooars. The Dooars is a region of tea gardens and forests that lies between the Bhabhar and the Gangetic Plain. The Gangetic Plain is a vast plain that is formed by the Ganges River. The Sundarbans is a vast mangrove forest that lies at the mouth of the Ganges River. The West Bengal Hills are a region of hills and forests that lies in the eastern part of the state.
The Drainage System of West Bengal is dominated by the Ganges River. The Ganges River is the longest river in India, and it flows through the state from north to south. The Ganges River is a major source of water for Irrigation and drinking water in West Bengal. The other major rivers in West Bengal are the Brahmaputra River, the Yamuna River, and the Meghna River.
The Climate of West Bengal is tropical monsoonal. The state experiences two distinct seasons: a hot and humid summer from March to June, and a cool and dry winter from November to February. The monsoon season is from June to September, and it is the wettest time of the year. The Average annual rainfall in West Bengal is about 1,500 mm.
The soils of West Bengal are mostly alluvial. Alluvial soils are formed from the sediments that are deposited by rivers. Alluvial soils are fertile and well-drained, and they are suitable for a variety of crops. The other major types of Soils in West Bengal are red lateritic soils and black Cotton soils. Red lateritic soils are formed from the weathering of Igneous Rocks. Black cotton soils are formed from the weathering of limestone.
The vegetation of West Bengal is diverse. The state is home to a variety of forests, including tropical evergreen forests, tropical deciduous forests, and mangrove forests. The tropical evergreen forests are found in the Himalayas and the West Bengal Hills. The tropical deciduous forests are found in the Gangetic Plain. The mangrove forests are found in the Sundarbans.
The wildlife of West Bengal is also diverse. The state is home to a variety of animals, including tigers, elephants, rhinoceroses, and leopards. The tigers are found in the Sundarbans. The elephants are found in the forests of the Himalayas and the West Bengal Hills. The rhinoceroses are found in the forests of the Dooars. The leopards are found in the forests of the Gangetic Plain.
The mineral Resources of West Bengal are coal, iron Ore, and limestone. Coal is the most important mineral resource in West Bengal. Coal is used to generate electricity and to produce steel. Iron ore is used to produce steel. Limestone is used to produce cement.
The natural hazards of West Bengal are floods, Cyclones-2/”>Cyclones, and Earthquakes. Floods are the most common NATURAL HAZARD in West Bengal. Floods are caused by heavy rains and the overflowing of rivers. Cyclones are another common natural hazard in West Bengal. Cyclones are caused by low-pressure systems in the Bay of Bengal. Earthquakes are less common in West Bengal, but they can still cause damage.
The human impacts on the Environment in West Bengal are deforestation, pollution, and Climate Change. Deforestation is the clearing of forests for agriculture, development, or other purposes. Pollution is the contamination of the air, water, and land. Climate change is the long-term change in the Earth’s climate. Deforestation, pollution, and climate change are all having a negative impact on the environment in West Bengal.
What is the relief and structure of West Bengal?
West Bengal is a state in eastern India. It is bordered by Bangladesh to the east, Sikkim and Bhutan to the north, Nepal to the north-west, Bihar to the west, Jharkhand to the south-west, Odisha to the south, and the Bay of Bengal to the south-east.
The state has a varied topography, with the Himalayas in the north, the Ganges Delta in the south, and the Chota Nagpur Plateau in the west. The highest point in the state is Mount Kanchenjunga, at 8,586 meters (28,169 feet). The lowest point is in the Sundarbans, at 2 meters (6.6 feet) below sea level.
The state’s climate is tropical monsoonal, with hot, humid summers and cool, dry winters. The average annual rainfall is 1,500-2,000 millimeters (59-79 inches).
The major rivers in West Bengal are the Ganges, the Brahmaputra, and the Meghna. The Ganges is the longest river in India, and it is the most important river in the state. The Brahmaputra is the second longest river in India, and it is the main river in the north-eastern part of the state. The Meghna is the third longest river in India, and it is the main river in the south-eastern part of the state.
The major cities in West Bengal are Kolkata, the capital of the state, and Howrah, the second largest city in the state. Kolkata is a major port city, and it is also a major center of Education, culture, and commerce. Howrah is a major industrial city, and it is also a major transportation hub.
What are the major Landforms in West Bengal?
The major landforms in West Bengal are the Himalayas, the Ganges Delta, and the Chota Nagpur Plateau. The Himalayas are the highest mountain range in the world, and they form the northern border of West Bengal. The Ganges Delta is a large delta formed by the Ganges River. The Chota Nagpur Plateau is a plateau located in the western part of the state.
What are the major rivers in West Bengal?
The major rivers in West Bengal are the Ganges, the Brahmaputra, and the Meghna. The Ganges is the longest river in India, and it is the most important river in the state. The Brahmaputra is the second longest river in India, and it is the main river in the north-eastern part of the state. The Meghna is the third longest river in India, and it is the main river in the south-eastern part of the state.
What are the major cities in West Bengal?
The major cities in West Bengal are Kolkata, the capital of the state, and Howrah, the second largest city in the state. Kolkata is a major port city, and it is also a major center of education, culture, and commerce. Howrah is a major industrial city, and it is also a major transportation hub.
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The highest peak in West Bengal is:
(A) Kanchenjunga
(B) Mount Everest
(C) Dhaulagiri
(D) Nanda Devi -
The major Rivers of West Bengal are:
(A) Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Meghna
(B) Narmada, Tapi, and Godavari
(C) Krishna, Kaveri, and Cauvery
(D) Yamuna, Chambal, and Betwa -
The major crops of West Bengal are:
(A) Rice, wheat, and jute
(B) Tea, coffee, and rubber
(C) Cotton, sugarcane, and oilseeds
(D) Maize, millet, and sorghum -
The major industries of West Bengal are:
(A) Jute, tea, and steel
(B) Automobile, electronics, and Software
(C) Cement, fertilizer, and petrochemicals
(D) Power, coal, and mining -
The major languages spoken in West Bengal are:
(A) Bengali, Hindi, and English
(B) Marathi, Gujarati, and Punjabi
(C) Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada
(D) Malayalam, Assamese, and Oriya -
The major religions practiced in West Bengal are:
(A) Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity
(B) Buddhism-2/”>Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism
(C) Judaism, Zoroastrianism, and Baha’i
(D) Shintoism, Confucianism, and Taoism -
The major festivals celebrated in West Bengal are:
(A) Durga puja, Kali Puja, and Saraswati Puja
(B) Holi, Diwali, and Eid
(C) Christmas, Easter, and New Year’s Day
(D) Buddha Purnima, Maha Shivratri, and Janmashtami -
The major tourist attractions in West Bengal are:
(A) The Victoria Memorial, the Howrah Bridge, and the Dakshineswar Kali Temple
(B) The Taj Mahal, the Red Fort, and the Jama Masjid
(C) The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and the Notre Dame Cathedral
(D) The Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Army -
The major personalities from West Bengal are:
(A) Rabindranath Tagore, Satyajit Ray, and Amartya Sen
(B) Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Indira Gandhi
(C) Subhash Chandra Bose, Netaji, and Lal Bahadur Shastri
(D) A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, and Dr. Zakir Hussain -
The major events in the history of West Bengal are:
(A) The Battle Of Plassey, the Sepoy Mutiny, and the Partition of Bengal
(B) The Indian Rebellion of 1857, the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, and the Quit India Movement
(C) The Chinese invasion of India, the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, and the Bhopal Gas Tragedy
(D) The Kargil War, the Gujarat riots, and the Mumbai attacks