Land Forms
📚 Topic Overview: Land Forms
This unit explains the major land forms of the Earth — mountains, hills, plateaus, plains, ghats and coastal regions.
It then focuses on land forms in India and Andhra Pradesh, and how they influence agriculture, seasons, crops and lifestyles.
Podu cultivation and diversity in food and livelihoods are also connected to these land forms.
1. Land Forms: Mountains, Hills, Plains, Plateaus, Ghats, Coasts
Concept / Theory
Land forms are the natural shapes and features of the Earth’s surface. They are created over
millions of years by internal forces (like plate movement, volcanoes) and external forces (like rivers, wind, ice).
Major Types of Land Forms (World Perspective)
| Type | Simple Idea | Height / Shape | Global Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountains | Very high land, steep slopes | Usually above 600 m | Himalayas (Asia), Andes (South America), Alps (Europe) |
| Hills | High land but lower than mountains | Generally 200–600 m | Nilgiri Hills (India), Scottish Highlands (UK) |
| Plains | Flat / gently sloping land | Low height, wide area | Indo–Gangetic Plain (India), Prairies (North America) |
| Plateaus | High flat-topped land | Raised table-like surface | Deccan Plateau (India), Colorado Plateau (USA) |
| Ghats / Escarpments | Steep slopes separating two levels | Form step-like edges | Western & Eastern Ghats (India), Drakensberg (Africa) |
| Coasts | Boundary where land meets sea | May have beaches, cliffs, deltas | Bay of Bengal coast, Mediterranean coast |
How Land Forms Are Created (Simple View)
- Internal forces: movement of plates, folding, faulting, volcanic activity → mountains, plateaus.
- External forces: rivers, wind, glaciers, sea waves → plains, valleys, coastal land forms.
- Rivers deposit silt and form plains and deltas.
Analogy / Examples
- A mountain is like a very tall “cone of mud” formed slowly by pushing and folding rocks.
- A plateau is like a “table” — top is flat but kept at a height.
- A plain is like a classroom floor — flat and easy to walk and build on.
Uses of Different Land Forms (Global Highlights)
| Land Form | Main Uses | Challenges |
|---|---|---|
| Mountains | Sources of rivers, tourism, forests, minerals | Steep slopes, landslides, difficult transport |
| Hills | Plantations (tea, coffee), orchards, cool climate tourism | Limited flat land for farming |
| Plains | Dense population, agriculture, cities, transport networks | Flood risk near big rivers |
| Plateaus | Minerals, grazing, dams and reservoirs | Thin soils in some areas, water scarcity |
| Coasts | Ports, fishing, tourism, trade | Cyclones, storms, sea-level rise |
| English | Telugu |
|---|---|
| Mountain | పర్వతం (Parvatam) |
| Hill | కొండ (Konda) |
| Plain | సమతల భూమి (Samathala Bhūmi) |
| Plateau | పీఠభూమి (Pīṭhabhūmi) |
| Coast | తీరప్రాంతం (Tīra Prāntam) |
| Delta | డెల్టా / సన్నని త్రిభుజ భూమి |
A student travelling from Delhi to Chennai in a train first crosses the flat northern plains,
then enters the rocky plateau region, and finally reaches the humid coastal plain.
She can actually “see” how land forms change along a single railway route.
When a question gives height + slope + use, identify the land form:
“high, steep, forest, snow” → mountains;
“flat, rivers, dense population” → plains;
“high, flat top, minerals” → plateau.
2. Major Land Forms in India
Concept / Theory
India has almost all major land forms — mountains, plains, plateaus, deserts, coastal plains and islands.
These features are grouped into broad physical regions.
Important Physical Regions of India
| Region | Type of Land Form | Key Features | Examples / States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Mountains | Fold mountains | Very high peaks, glaciers, sources of major rivers | Himalayas – Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh |
| Northern Plains | Alluvial plains | Flat, fertile, formed by rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra | Punjab, Haryana, UP, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam |
| Peninsular Plateau | Ancient plateau | Hard rocks, table land, many hill ranges and rivers | Deccan Plateau, Chota Nagpur Plateau, Malwa Plateau |
| Coastal Plains | Narrow coastal strips | Western and Eastern coastal plains along Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal | Konkan, Malabar, Coromandel, Andhra coastal plains |
| Indian Desert | Arid region | Sand dunes, low rainfall | Thar Desert – Rajasthan and adjoining areas |
| Islands | Small land surrounded by water | Coral and volcanic islands | Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep |
Major Mountain & Plateau Names in India
| Category | Name | Important Points |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain Peak | Mount Everest (Nepal–China border) | Highest peak in the world (8848 m), part of Himalayas |
| Mountain Peak (India) | Kangchenjunga | Highest peak in India, in eastern Himalayas |
| Plateau | Deccan Plateau | Covers large part of central and southern India |
| Hill Ranges | Aravalli, Vindhya, Satpura | Separates northern plains and Deccan plateau |
| Ghats | Western & Eastern Ghats | Form step-like edges of the plateau; many waterfalls and passes |
- “M–P–D–C–I” for India’s main physical areas:
Mountains, Plains, Desert, Coastal plains, Islands. - Northern Plains = “Gift of rivers” (alluvial deposits).
- Peninsular Plateau = “Old hard rock region”.
Many long-distance trains start in the northern plains (flat tracks) and then climb
through ghats using tunnels and bridges before reaching coastal cities like Mumbai or Chennai.
This shows how engineers use knowledge of land forms while planning rail routes.
If a question has words like “alluvial”, “very fertile”, “thick population”, it almost always refers
to the Northern Plains. If it uses “ancient rocks” and “plateau”, connect it with the
Peninsular Plateau.
3. Major Land Forms in Andhra Pradesh
Concept / Theory
Andhra Pradesh has a rich variety of land forms: hills and mountains of the Eastern Ghats,
the Deccan plateau region, and long fertile coastal plains along the Bay of Bengal.
These decide climate, crops, settlements and occupations in each region.
Broad Land Form Regions of Andhra Pradesh
| Region | Dominant Land Form | Main Districts (examples) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal Andhra | Coastal plains & river deltas | Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East & West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam, Nellore | Fertile alluvial soils, paddy fields, aquaculture, ports, long coastline |
| Eastern Ghats / Hill Tracts | Hills & forested slopes | Parts of Alluri Sitharama Raju (agency areas), Parvathipuram Manyam, East Godavari, Nandyal, Tirupati | Cooler hill climate in some pockets, tribal settlements, coffee and spice plantations |
| Rayalaseema Plateau | Plateau & uplands | YSR Kadapa, Anantapuramu, Sri Sathya Sai, Chittoor, Nandyal, Annamayya | Rocky terrain, undulating land, rain-shadow conditions, tank irrigation, groundnut and millets |
Examples of Land Forms in AP
| Land Form Type | Examples in AP | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hills / Mountains | Eastern Ghats hills near Araku, Lambasingi (Visakhapatnam region), Nallamala hills, Seshachalam hills | Known for forests, wildlife, coffee, spices and pilgrim centres (e.g., Tirumala near Seshachalam) |
| Plateau | Rayalaseema region (Anantapuramu, YSR Kadapa, parts of Kurnool & Chittoor) | Semi-arid climate, tanks and borewells, groundnut, millets, pulses |
| Plains | Krishna–Godavari delta plains, coastal plains of Guntur, Krishna, West & East Godavari | Highly fertile alluvial soils, dense canals, intensive paddy cultivation |
| Coastal Belt | Bay of Bengal coast from Srikakulam to Nellore | Fishing, ports, aquaculture (prawns, fish), beaches, cyclone-prone areas |
| Valleys & Agency Areas | Araku valley, Paderu region, parts of Alluri Sitharama Raju district | Tribal habitations, podu cultivation in some slopes, coffee plantations, tourism |
Districts vs Dominant Land Forms (Illustrative)
| District (example) | Dominant Land Form | Major Crops / Livelihoods |
|---|---|---|
| East & West Godavari | Deltaic plains, coastal belt | Paddy, sugarcane, aquaculture, coconut, fisheries, oil palm |
| Krishna & Guntur | Krishna delta plains, coastal plains | Paddy (two seasons where irrigation available), chilli, cotton, horticulture, trade |
| Nellore | Coastal plain | Paddy, aquaculture, horticulture, coastal trading activities |
| Visakhapatnam (coast + hills) | Coastal plains & Eastern Ghats hills | Port-related occupations, industry in plains; coffee, pepper, tourism in hill areas like Araku |
| Alluri Sitharama Raju & Parvathipuram Manyam | Hilly tribal areas | Podu/shift cultivation in some parts, minor millets, forest produce, coffee in selected areas |
| Anantapuramu & Sri Sathya Sai | Plateau, semi-arid | Groundnut, millets, sunflower, sheep and goat rearing |
| YSR Kadapa & Nandyal | Plateau with hills | Pulses, millets, horticulture, limestone-based industries in some pockets |
| Tirupati & Annamayya | Seshachalam hills & adjoining plateau | Pilgrim tourism, horticulture, small-scale agriculture in valley areas |
- Coastal Andhra → plains + deltas + fisheries.
- Eastern Ghats → hills + forests + tribal areas.
- Rayalaseema → plateau + tank irrigation + groundnut/millets.
In a single state-level exam question, you may be asked:
“A farmer grows paddy twice a year using canal water from a major river and also works
part-time in a nearby town’s market. Which land form and region best fit this description?”
The correct link is coastal/delta plains of Krishna–Godavari region.
When district names are given:
East/West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur → think of deltas and coastal plains;
Anantapuramu, Kadapa → think of plateau and semi-arid lands.
4. Podu Cultivation
Concept / Theory
Podu cultivation is a traditional shifting cultivation practice followed mainly in hilly and
tribal areas. Forest slopes are cleared and burnt, crops are grown for a few years, and then the
land is left fallow while cultivators move to a new patch.
Alternate Names & Nature
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Local / Regional Name | Podu (in parts of Andhra Pradesh and adjoining regions) |
| Other Names | Shifting cultivation, slash-and-burn cultivation, jhum (in some other regions) |
| Main Areas (AP) | Tribal hill tracts in Eastern Ghats: agency areas of some districts like Alluri Sitharama Raju, Parvathipuram Manyam, parts of East Godavari, etc. |
| Basic Method | Cut small patches of forest on slopes, burn vegetation, sow seeds in ash-mixed soil, grow crops for 2–3 years, then shift. |
Crops, Advantages & Issues
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Typical Crops | Minor millets, some pulses, maize, vegetables, oilseeds – often mixed cropping on small patches. |
| Short-Term Advantages | Simple tools, low cash input, ash adds temporary nutrients, suited to small tribal families. |
| Problems | Soil erosion, loss of forest cover, declining soil fertility if cycle is short, conflicts with forest conservation. |
Government Support & Alternative Measures
- Promoting settled agriculture with terracing and soil conservation on slopes.
- Introducing horticulture and plantation crops (coffee, pepper, fruit trees) in hill areas.
- Providing irrigation support, input subsidies and training through agriculture and tribal development departments.
- Encouraging alternative livelihoods like minor forest produce processing, small-scale animal husbandry, eco-tourism in suitable areas.
| English | Telugu |
|---|---|
| Podu / Shifting cultivation | పోడు పద్దతి (Pōḍu Paddati) |
| Terrace farming | మెట్లు పొలాలు (Meṭlu Polālu) |
| Soil erosion | మట్టి ధూపం (Maṭṭi Dhūpam) |
| Mixed cropping | మిశ్రిత పంటలు (Miśrita Paṇṭalu) |
In a tribal hill village, families traditionally grow millets and pulses on podu fields.
With the help of agricultural extension workers, some families slowly convert steep podu land
into small terraces and plant fruit trees and coffee, which provide more stable income.
If the question mentions “cutting and burning forest on hill slopes” and “shifting fields,”
the key word to recall is podu / shifting cultivation, commonly linked with tribal hill areas.
5. Diversity in Lifestyles, Crops & Seasons across Land Forms
Concept / Theory
Land forms directly influence climate, water availability, soils, crops and occupations.
Therefore, people living in mountains, plateaus, plains and coastal areas develop different
lifestyles, food habits and festivals. Crop seasons like Kharif and Rabi are also linked
with rainfall and irrigation facilities in each region.
Kharif & Rabi Seasons (Simple Summary)
| Season | Typical Sowing Time | Typical Harvest Time | Common Crops (India & AP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kharif | Onset of monsoon (Jun–Jul) | Sep–Oct | Rice, maize, cotton, groundnut, jowar, bajra, pulses like red gram; many crops in coastal and plateau regions |
| Rabi | Oct–Dec | Apr–Jun | Wheat (selected areas), bengal gram, peas, mustard, some pulses, oilseeds and second crop of paddy where irrigation is assured |
Land Forms vs Crops vs Livelihoods (Focus on Andhra Pradesh)
| Land Form Type | Climate & Water | Typical Kharif Crops | Typical Rabi / Other Crops | Livelihoods / Lifestyle Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal Plains & Deltas | Humid, good rainfall, canals and river water | Rice (paddy), maize, sugarcane, cotton (some areas), pulses | Second rice crop where canals exist, black gram, green gram, oilseeds, vegetables |
Dense villages and towns, fishing and aquaculture near coast, high use of canal irrigation, markets and transport centres, rice-based food habits. |
| Plateau (Rayalaseema) | Semi-arid, variable rainfall, tanks & borewells | Groundnut, millets (jowar, bajra), cotton (some pockets), pulses | Chickpea (bengal gram), sunflower, some horticulture crops |
Scattered settlements, dependence on rain and tanks, livestock-based livelihoods, food pattern includes millets along with rice and pulses. |
| Hills & Ghats | Cooler in high altitudes, heavy rainfall in some belts | Millets, maize, some rainfed paddy, spices | Horticulture (fruits), coffee, pepper, turmeric, vegetables |
Tribal and hill communities, lean terraced fields, collection of minor forest produce, tourism and plantation labour in places like Araku/Lambasingi. |
| Urban Plains / City Regions | Modified by buildings, transport networks | Limited direct agriculture; peri-urban vegetable belts | Vegetables, flowers, dairy and poultry belts around cities | Service-sector jobs, trade and industry, diverse food from many regions, mixed populations. |
Diversity in Food, Housing & Occupations
- Mountain and hill regions: houses often with sloping roofs, use of wood and local stone; food includes millets, maize and locally grown vegetables.
- Coastal regions: houses with provisions for cyclone and heavy rain; rice, fish and coconut-based dishes are common.
- Plateau regions: villages may be spread out, with large fields and grazing lands; groundnut, millets and pulses are common staples.
- Plains and river valleys: compact villages and towns, intense farming; good road and rail connectivity; food basket dominated by rice and wheat-based items (in some parts of India).
- “Rice loves water” → link paddy with coastal/delta plains and well-irrigated areas.
- “Millets love slopes & less water” → link with hills and plateau regions.
- “Groundnut loves red soils” → connect with Rayalaseema plateau.
Two friends in Andhra Pradesh compare their lives:
one from a delta village goes to school by cycling along canal bunds,
helps family in paddy transplanting; another from a plateau village walks across rocky paths,
helps in groundnut sowing and goat rearing.
The same state shows different lifestyles because of different land forms.
When a question mixes season + crop + land form, quickly check:
“Rainy season + paddy + delta” → coastal plains;
“Low rainfall + groundnut + rocky fields” → plateau;
“cool hills + coffee / spices” → hill regions.
6. Exam Tips & Memory Formula Sheet – Land Forms
Key One-Line Facts
- Land forms are shaped by internal forces (inside Earth) and external forces (water, wind, ice).
- Mountains: high, steep, often snow-clad, source of rivers.
- Plains: flat, fertile, thick population, easy transport.
- Plateaus: high flat land, rich in minerals, many waterfalls on the edges.
- Coastal plains: flat land along the sea, ports, fishing, cyclones.
- India: has all major land forms – mountains, plains, desert, plateau, coastal plains, islands.
- Andhra Pradesh: coastal plains + Eastern Ghats hills + plateau (Rayalaseema).
- Podu: shifting cultivation on hill slopes, mostly in tribal areas.
- Kharif: monsoon crops; Rabi: winter crops.
Memory Formula Sheet
| Code / Formula | Helps You Remember |
|---|---|
| M–H–P–P–C | Mountains – Hills – Plains – Plateaus – Coasts (basic land forms) |
| M–P–D–C–I | India’s broad physical regions: Mountains, Plains, Desert, Coastal plains, Islands |
| C–E–R for AP | Coastal Andhra – Eastern Ghats – Rayalaseema (plateau) |
| Kharif = “Rain” | Monsoon crops (rice, maize, cotton, groundnut, many millets) |
| Rabi = “Cool” | Cool-season crops (wheat in suitable areas, gram, mustard, some pulses) |
| Podu → P for “Patch shifting on slopes” | Small patches of forest on slopes used for shifting cultivation |
Typical Sample Questions (Practice)
-
Which land form is most suitable for dense road and rail networks and big cities?
- Clue: flat surface, easy construction → plains.
-
A village has paddy fields on canal-irrigated land near the sea. Which land form is this?
- Clue: near sea + canals + paddy → coastal plain / delta.
-
A tribal family grows millets for a few years on a cleared forest slope and then shifts to another patch.
- Clue: shifting on slopes → podu cultivation.
-
Which region in Andhra Pradesh is best matched with groundnut and millets?
- Clue: semi-arid plateau → Rayalaseema.
- Underline land form names in the question and quickly recall their height, slope, soil, water and uses.
- Connect districts or regions with their dominant land form + main crop in a small mental map.
- For assertion–reason or match-the-following questions, use the memory codes like
M–H–P–P–C and C–E–R to avoid confusion.