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Summary
The Earth has different areas called natural regions. Each natural region is a large area where the land, weather, plants, animals, and human life are quite similar throughout. The main thing that makes these regions different is their climate, which means the usual weather conditions over a long time. Climate affects the soil, what plants can grow, what animals live there, and how people live and work, especially if they do farming or forestry.
The Equatorial region is found near the Equator. It is very hot and rainy all year. This region has dense forests called tropical rainforests. These forests have many layers of trees, like the tall emergent trees and the thick canopy layer. Important trees include mahogany and rubber. These rainforests are sometimes called the “Lungs of the World” because they take in a lot of carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, which is like how our lungs help us breathe. Many animals here live in trees. People in this region may hunt, gather food, or grow crops like bananas and cocoa on plantations.
Tropical grasslands, or Savannas, are found further from the Equator. They have hot, wet summers and cool, dry winters. The land is covered with tall grasses and a few scattered trees like the baobab. These areas are good for cattle grazing. People here are often herders, and some areas have large farms for crops like cotton and coffee.
Tropical deserts are very hot and dry places, usually found on the western sides of continents. Rainfall is very low. Plants here, like cacti, are special because they can store water and survive with little of it. Animals often come out at night when it’s cooler. People who live here, like the Bushmen, have adapted to the harsh conditions, often moving around to find food and water, or farming near oases where water is available.
The Tropical Monsoon region, found mainly in Southern Asia, has a climate with strong seasonal winds. Summers are hot and wet due to winds blowing from the sea, and winters are cool and dry as winds blow from the land. This region gets a lot of rain, helping crops like rice to grow. Forests here can be evergreen or deciduous, meaning some trees lose their leaves in the dry season.
The Mediterranean region is typically found on the western coasts of continents. It has hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Plants here, like olive trees and citrus fruit trees (oranges, lemons), are adapted to long dry periods. This area is famous for growing fruits, grapes, and olives.
Temperate grasslands, like the Prairies in North America or Steppes in Asia, are in the middle of continents. They have warm summers and cold winters with moderate rainfall. These lands are mostly covered in grasses, not trees. They are very important for growing wheat and are often called the ‘granaries of the world’.
The Taiga region is a vast forest of coniferous trees like pine and fir, found in cold areas of the Northern Hemisphere, south of the Arctic. Winters are very long and cold, while summers are short and cool. The softwood from these forests is used for paper and building. Farming is difficult due to the cold.
The Tundra is the coldest natural region, located around the Arctic. Winters are extremely long and harsh, and summers are very short and cool, not warm enough for trees to grow. The ground is often frozen. Vegetation consists of mosses, lichens, and small shrubs. People like the Eskimos traditionally live by hunting and fishing.
Textbook solutions (Morning Star/Total)
Multiple-Choice Questions
1. A part of Earth’s surface which has a comparatively high degree of uniformity of structure, surface form and climate within it:
(a) Earth Region
(b) Surface Region
(c) Climate Region
(d) Natural Region
Answer: (d) Natural Region
2. The basic factor on the basis of which the world is divided into major natural regions is:
(a) temperature
(b) area
(c) water
(d) climate
Answer: (d) climate
3. In different natural regions human activities differs when there is dominance of:
(a) agriculture
(b) animal husbandry
(c) forestry
(d) all of the above.
Answer: (d) all of the above.
4. Which of the following is true for the Equatorial region?
(a) Temperature ranges from 25°C to 30°C
(b) Rainfall is orographic
(c) Crops like cotton are cultivated
(d) It lies in the temperate zone.
Answer: (a) Temperature ranges from 25°C to 30°C
5. Equatorial forests : Broad-leaved evergreen trees :: _________ : deciduous trees
(a) Tropical grasslands
(b) Tropical monsoon forests
(c) Mediterranean forests
(d) Temperate grasslands
Answer: (b) Tropical monsoon forests
6. The top layer formed by the crowns of trees which grow close together:
(a) understorey
(b) canopy
(c) emergent layer
(d) forest floor
Answer: (b) canopy
7. Equatorial Region : Lungs of the World :: _________ : Granaries of the World
(a) Savannas
(b) Pampas
(c) Steppes
(d) Tundra
Answer: (c) Steppes
8. Which amongst the following is also called the ‘natural cattle country’?
(a) Tropical Deserts
(b) Tropical Rainforests
(c) Tropical Grasslands
(d) Mediterranean Region
Answer: (c) Tropical Grasslands
9. Plants which are adapted to arid condition:
(a) Arid Plants
(b) Adapted Plants
(c) Xeropholic Plants
(d) Xerophytic Plants
Answer: (d) Xerophytic Plants
10. Which amongst the following is not one of the Tropical Marine Type Area?
(a) Honduras
(b) Thailand
(c) Eastern Brazil
(d) Jamaica
Answer: (b) Thailand
11. Which amongst the following is the most common tree found in the Mediterranean Region?
(a) Oak
(b) Laurel
(c) Cork
(d) Olive
Answer: (d) Olive
12. Steppes : Euro-asia :: Downs : _________
(a) South America
(b) Australia
(c) Mediterranean region
(d) Savannas
Answer: (b) Australia
13. Which amongst the following is also known as the ‘Cool Temperate Continental type’ or ‘Siberian Type’?
(a) Taiga Region
(b) Mediterranean Region
(c) Tropical Deserts
(d) Temperate Grasslands
Answer: (a) Taiga Region
14. The Tundra type of climate is also known as the:
(a) Antarctic Type
(b) Polar Type
(c) Tundra Type
(d) Plain Type
Answer: (b) Polar Type
15. In mid-winters (January) temperature in the Tundra is as low as:
(a) 0 degrees
(b) -15 degrees
(c) -10 degrees
(d) -37 degrees
Answer: (d) -37 degrees
Short Answer Questions
1. Define the term ‘natural region’.
Answer: A Natural Region refers to a part of the Earth’s surface which has a comparatively high degree of uniformity of structure, surface form and climate within it. Therefore, every natural region is a homogeneous unit in which the climatic conditions, soil, natural vegetation and human activities are uniform.
2. Name any four natural regions of the world.
Answer: Four natural regions of the world are:
(i) Equatorial region
(ii) Tropical grasslands
(iii) Tropical Deserts
(iv) Tropical Monsoon
3. Briefly state the relationship between climate and human activities.
Answer: Human response shows a broad relationship with climatic conditions. The relation between climate and human activities is striking in regions where the primary activities like agriculture, animal husbandry and forestry are dominant. These activities are governed directly by the climatic conditions.
4. State the location of the Equatorial Region.
Answer: The Equatorial Region extends between 0-10° north and south of Equator.
5. What is the latitudinal extent of the Monsoon climate?
Answer: The latitudinal extent of the Monsoon climate is roughly between 10° and 30° north and south of the Equator. This type of climate is most commonly found in Southern Asia, including countries like India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and parts of China and Southeast Asia, and it extends to northern Australia, parts of Central and South America, and some coastal regions of Africa.
6. Name the two dominant type of vegetation of the Equatorial region.
Answer: The Equatorial region has a dense forest cover. The two dominant names for this vegetation are Tropical Rainforest, and Selvas, as it is known in the Amazon Basin. The trees in these forests have broad leaves and are evergreen.
7. State the location of the Tropical Desert Climate type.
Answer: The Tropical Deserts are located between 15° to 30° North and South Latitudes. They lie to the west of the landmass.
8. What are xerophytic plants?
Answer: Plants which are adapted to arid condition are known as xerophytic plants. They are almost leafless and store water in their stems. Some plants have leathery leaves, others have thorns and still some have a repugnant smell as a means of protection against animal grazing.
9. What local conditions produce variation in the Mediterranean Type of climate?
Answer: In the Mediterranean region, on account of the local conditions and indented coastline, many local variations of the winds are produced. The Westerlies and the temperate cyclones travel from west to east and bring rainfall in decreasing order. In addition, cold Polar winds in winter are also sometimes drawn into the circulation of depressions like Mistral in the Rhone valley and Bora in the northern Adriatic Sea region, causing great devastation. Southern winds like Sirocco in North Africa are hot and dry, known as Khamsin in Egypt, and cause considerable damage to crops. These patterns of weather also occur in Cape Town in Africa, California, Oregon in USA and Central Chile.
10. State the rainfall pattern in the Mediterranean climate.
Answer: The rainfall in the Mediterranean region is experienced mostly in winter. The annual average rainfall varies between 35 cm to 75 cm. Rainfall is more on the Poleward sides of the region.
11. What type of vegetation is found in the Mediterranean region?
Answer: The vegetation in the Mediterranean region is of deciduous type, adapted to withstand a long period of summer drought with long roots and thick barks. Short stature, moisture retentive trees grow here, especially citrus fruits. Dominant trees in Europe include evergreen trees like oak, laurel, cork, oleander, beech and ash, with olive being very common, and Eucalyptus introduced from Australia. The North American Mediterranean region has dominant species like chestnut, maple, hemlock, and redwood trees. Towards Polar regions and in highlands, coniferous evergreen trees like cedar, pine, fir and cypress are found. The region also favours growth of bushes like lavender, rosemary, myrtle, and laurel, instead of grasses on the outer edge of forests.
12. Name six Temperate Grasslands of the world.
Answer: Six Temperate Grasslands of the world are:
(i) Steppes in Euro-Asia
(ii) Puszta in Hungary
(iii) Velds in Africa
(iv) Prairies in North America
(v) Pampas in South America
(vi) Downs in Australia
13. Why there are no trees in the Steppe type climate region?
Answer: The Temperate grasslands or Steppes are practically treeless because of scanty rainfall, long droughts and severe winters.
14. Why is the climate in the Mediterranean region so called?Answer: The Mediterranean Region is so called because the largest stretch of area here lies along the margins of the Mediterranean Sea.
Structured Questions
1. (a) Explain how is a natural region a homogenous unit.
Answer: A Natural Region refers to a part of the Earth’s surface which has a comparatively high degree of uniformity of structure, surface form and climate within it. Therefore, every natural region is a homogeneous unit in which the climatic conditions, soil, natural vegetation and human activities are uniform.
(b) State any two common characteristics on which different climate zones are based.
Answer: Two common characteristics on which different climatic zones are based are:
(i) The temperature, pressure, winds and humidity conditions, so human response under different climatic types is different.
(ii) Landforms differ in different climatic regions.
(c) Give a reason for each of the following:
(i) There is a uniformly high temperature in the Equatorial region.
Answer: There is a uniformly high temperature in the Equatorial region because this region lies in the Torrid belt, and at and near the Equator, the Sun’s rays have a high angle of incidence which varies between 66½° and 90° during the year. Additionally, in the afternoon, the sky is overcast with clouds, which prevents heat from being radiated back to the atmosphere, so the temperature at the ground remains high.
(ii) Though Mt. Kilimanjaro is located close to the Equator, yet its peaks remain covered with snow throughout the year.
Answer: Though Mt. Kilimanjaro is located close to the Equator, its peaks remain covered with snow throughout the year because the temperature and rainfall are modified by relief. Mount Kilimanjaro, being the highest mountain peak in Africa, has high elevation, which results in considerably lower mean temperature and rainfall, leading to snow-covered peaks despite its proximity to the Equator.
(iii) The Equatorial region is also called the ‘Lungs of the World’.
Answer: The Equatorial region is also called the ‘Lungs of the World’ because of the presence of the dense Tropical Rainforest. This is because the rainforests function as a giant machine that absorb a large amount of carbon dioxide and produce oxygen.
(d) Discuss briefly the type of natural vegetation found in the Tropical Rainforests.
Answer: The Equatorial region has a dense forest cover known as Tropical Rainforest or Selvas. These forests are thick and luxuriant, and the trees have broad leaves and are evergreen. The vegetation in these forests shows four distinct layers: the emergent layer, canopy, understorey, and forest floor. The emergent layer has trees like kapok and mahogany reaching over 50 metres. The canopy is the top layer, formed by the crowns of trees growing close together, blocking out sunshine and wind. The understorey, beneath the canopy, has plants with larger leaves to maximise light absorption. The forest floor has ferns and shrubs as well as climbers. The main trees of rainforests include ebony, mahogany, cinchona, green heart, rosewood, and rubber.
2. (a) State the location and extent of Tropical Grasslands.
Answer: Tropical Grasslands, also known as Savannas, are grassland biomes located in semi-arid to semi-humid climate regions of subtropical and tropical latitudes. They lie roughly between 7° to 20° north and south of the Equator. Savannas cover almost half the surface of Africa (about five million square miles, generally Central Africa) and large areas of Australia, South America, and Central America. Specifically, in South America, there are the Llanos of the Orinoco Basin and the Campos of the Brazilian Highlands. In Africa, they are found in Sudan, Senegal, Chad, Cameroon, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Togo, Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, Uganda, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Mozambique. In Australia, they are in the Northern Territory and Queensland.
(b) Name the two distinct regions of ‘Savanna’ in South America.
Answer: The two distinct regions of Savanna in South America, north and south of the Equator, are the Llanos of the Orinoco Basin and the Campos of the Brazilian Highlands.
(c) Give a geographical reason for each of the following:
(i) Deciduous trees shed their leaves in the dry season.
Answer: Deciduous trees shed their leaves in the cool, dry season to prevent excessive loss of water or to preserve moisture.
(ii) The Savannas are called the ‘natural cattle country’.
Answer: The Savannas are called the ‘natural cattle country’ as many of the native people are herdsmen or pastoralists. They keep large numbers of cattle which are fed on the tall grass or the bushes and provide them with meat and milk.
(iii) Tropical grasslands have great potential for the cultivation of plantation crops.
Answer: Tropical grasslands, or Savannas, have immense potential for plantation agriculture like cotton, cane sugar, coffee, oil palm, groundnuts and tropical fruits. This is because of 30 inches of annual rainfall and lack of severe cold.
(d) Give a brief account of rainforests together with their location and types of trees.
Answer: Rainforests, such as the Tropical Rainforests or Selvas, are found in the Equatorial region. They occupy low altitude areas near the Equator in South America, especially in the Amazon Lowlands, Central and West Africa, in the Indo-Malay peninsula, and the New Guinea region. These forests are dense, thick, and luxuriant. The trees have broad leaves and are evergreen. The main trees of these rainforests include ebony, mahogany, cinchona, green heart, rosewood, and rubber.
Another type, Tropical Evergreen Rainforests, are found in many islands and coastal areas of the Tropical Monsoon region, such as islands in the Indian Ocean, the slopes of the Western Ghats, western parts of Maharashtra, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu in India. These trees are tall, above 60 metres in height, with a luxuriant growth of climbers, epiphytes, ferns, and bamboos during summer rains. Common species include rosewood, ebony, sisam, and bamboo, and some trees have broad leaves.
3. (a) State the location of Tropical deserts. Name the two primitive tribes which inhabit the Tropical Deserts.
Answer: Tropical Deserts are located between 15° to 30° North and South Latitudes, mostly falling in the tropical zone, and they lie to the west of the landmass. Two primitive tribes that inhabit the Tropical Deserts are the Bushmen of the Kalahari and Bindibu of Australia.
(b) Describe briefly the Tropical Monsoon type of climate.
Answer: The Tropical Monsoon type of climate is regarded as a sub-region of the tropical and sub-tropical humid and dry climatic region. It features hot summers and cool winters with a distinct rainy season. Summer temperatures range from 27°C to 30°C in coastal areas and 35°C to 38°C in the interior, while winter temperatures are 5°C to 18°C in the interior and 22°C to 25°C in coastal areas. The Monsoon depends on rainfall rather than temperature, and cyclonic disturbances can make it irregular.
Rainfall is characterized by summer rain, contrasting with dry winters when offshore Trade Winds blow. In India, the Himalayan barrier causes these winds to move in a North-East direction, picking up moisture over the Bay of Bengal and causing winter rainfall on the Coromandel coast. Annual rainfall varies from 75 to 200 cm, with places like Mawsynram recording the heaviest rain.
Three distinct seasons are often present, as in the Indian sub-continent: the hot dry season (March to May), the rainy season (June to September), and the cool, dry season (October to February), mainly due to the differential heating of land and sea. Areas with a Tropical Marine type climate experience more evenly distributed rainfall influenced by onshore Trade Winds year-round, with wet and dry seasons, and no month without rainfall.
(c) Give a reason for each of the following:
(i) In the Tropical Desert climate region, Trade Winds are dry.
Answer: In the Tropical Desert climate region, Trade Winds are dry because these deserts are located on the western margins of continents. The Trade Winds that blow in the region shed their moisture in the eastern margins of continents and become dry by the time they reach the western side. Also, this climate type is characterised by offshore dry Trade winds originating from the high pressure belt.
(ii) In the Indian subcontinent, there are three distinct seasons.
Answer: In the Indian subcontinent, which has a true Tropical Monsoon Climate, there are three distinct seasons: the hot dry season from March to May, the rainy season from June to September, and the cool, dry season from October to February. The main cause for this seasonal climate is the differential rate of heating of land and sea.
(iii) Agriculture is the chief occupation in the monsoon region.
Answer: Agriculture is the chief occupation of the majority of people in the Tropical Monsoon region because tropical agriculture in this region is dependent on natural rainfall and a large labour force, with crops grown on small farms in the plains and terraced hills.
(d) State the chief characteristics of the Mediterranean type of climate.
Answer: The chief characteristics of the Mediterranean type of climate include hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters, as it shares summer drought conditions with deserts and rain in winter. Mean summer temperatures range between 20°C and 28°C, potentially reaching 30°C, while mean January temperatures are from 6° to 10°C, sometimes falling below 0°C at night in winter. Rainfall is experienced mostly in winter, with an annual average varying between 35 cm to 75 cm, being more on the Poleward sides. The climate has four well-defined seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, and Autumn (or Fall), with the unique quality of winter rain allowing plants to adjust their growth with seasons.
4. (a) How are the Temperate Grasslands different from the Tropical Savannas?
Answer: The Temperate grasslands or Steppes differ from the Tropical Savannas in the sense that they are practically treeless and the grasses are much shorter. This is because of scanty rainfall, long droughts and severe winters in the Temperate grasslands.
(b) State the locational extent of the Taiga and Tundra region.
Answer: The Taiga region lies between 55° and 70° in the Northern Hemisphere, merging into the Arctic Tundra of Canada and Eurasia at around the Arctic Circle towards the poles. The Tundra region lies roughly beyond 65° North on the northern side of the Taiga region and is found mainly north of the Arctic Circle in the Northern Hemisphere.
(c) Give a geographical reason for each of the following:
(i) In the Mediterranean region of Europe, winds blow deep inside the land.
Answer: In the Mediterranean region of Europe, winds blow deep inside the land because the considerable East-West extent of the Mediterranean Sea allows the westerly influence of winds to penetrate deep into the Afro-Asian landmass, which includes Europe.
(ii) The Taiga region is sparsely populated.
Answer: The Taiga region is sparsely populated because farming does not constitute an important economic activity as the land remains covered with snow during the long, cold winter season.
(iii) There are no trees in the Tundra Region.
Answer: There are no trees in the Tundra region because of a very short growing season of three months and the warmest month having a 10°C temperature, which are conditions unsuitable for tree growth.
(d) What type of climate is found in the north-western part of Europe? State briefly the human response to this type of climate.
Answer: Parts of the north-western (specifically northern) part of Europe, such as Finland, northern Sweden, and parts of Norway, fall within the Taiga region, which has a Cool Temperate Continental type or Siberian Type climate.
The human response in this Taiga region is that it is sparsely populated. Farming does not constitute an important economic activity as the land remains covered with snow during the long, cold winter season. Only in the sheltered valleys and the lands bordering the Steppes are some crops like barley, oats, rye, potatoes, and beetroots grown.
Thinking Skills
1. What do you think is the advantage of dividing the world into natural regions?
Answer: Dividing the world into natural regions helps us understand how climate, vegetation, soil and human life are related in different parts of the world. It allows us to compare and study areas that have similar characteristics, such as the same type of weather or vegetation. This makes it easier to plan farming, settlement and use of natural resources in a sustainable way. It also helps us see how humans adapt to their environment based on natural conditions.
2. In which natural region of the world is India located? Which characteristic features of this type of natural region are found in India?
Answer: India is located in the Tropical Monsoon region. This region has hot summers, cool winters and a distinct rainy season from June to September. In India, this is seen in the form of heavy summer rainfall caused by monsoon winds, with dry conditions in winter. The vegetation includes tropical deciduous forests where trees like teak and sal shed their leaves during the dry season. Agriculture is the main occupation, and crops like rice, wheat, sugarcane, tea and cotton are commonly grown, showing the typical features of this natural region.
Map Work/Project Work
Outline Map of the World – Monsoon and Tropical Hot Desert Climate Regions
Answer: Do it yourself. Here are the instructions:
- Print a blank outline map of the world showing all major continents and latitude lines (make sure it includes the Equator, Tropic of Cancer, and Tropic of Capricorn).
- Identify and shade the Tropical Monsoon climate regions:
- Asia: India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, southern China, and the Philippines.
- Australia: Northern tip.
- Africa: South-East coast and Madagascar.
- Central America & South America: Jamaica, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, eastern Brazil.
- Use a blue colour to shade these areas and label them “Tropical Monsoon Climate”.
- Identify and shade the Tropical Hot Desert regions:
- Africa: Sahara, Kalahari, Namib.
- Asia: Arabian Desert, Thar Desert.
- Australia: Great Australian Desert.
- North America: Mohave, Sonoran, Californian, and Mexican Deserts.
- South America: Atacama Desert.
- Use a yellow or orange colour to shade these and label them “Tropical Hot Desert”.
- Include latitude markers like 15°–30° N/S for deserts and 5°–30° N/S for monsoon.
- Add a key or legend in one corner of the map to indicate what each colour represents.
- Title the map clearly as “Natural Regions of the World: Monsoon and Tropical Hot Desert Climates”.
- Keep your shading neat and label only major regions to avoid clutter.
Extras
Additional MCQs
1. Which characteristic defines a natural region?
A. Uniform climate
B. High population
C. Varied landforms
D. Diverse culture
Answer: A. Uniform climate
80. Which people inhabit the Tundra and engage in hunting and fishing?
A. Eskimos
B. Bushmen
C. Aborigines
D. Plainsmen
Answer: A. Eskimos
Additional Assertion and Reason
1. Assertion (A): Every natural region is considered a homogeneous unit.
Reason (R): Within a natural region, the climatic conditions, soil, natural vegetation, and human activities show a high degree of uniformity.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R does not explain A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
13. Assertion (A): The Tundra region is too cold for the cultivation of any crop.
Reason (R): The region is permanently snow-covered.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R does not explain A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
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