A plateau is a flat-topped land area raised above the surrounding region. The Peninsular Plateau is the oldest and largest landform in India, made of hard igneous and metamorphic rocks. Plateaus are a key part of physical geography in SSC, Railway and PSC exams.
The Peninsular Plateau
- It is the largest plateau in India and one of the oldest landforms.
- It is triangular in shape and made of ancient crystalline rocks.
- It is divided into the Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau.
The Deccan Plateau
- It lies south of the Narmada river.
- It is bordered by the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats.
- The Deccan Trap is made of black basalt soil good for cotton.
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Other Important Plateaus
- Malwa Plateau - lies in Madhya Pradesh, made of lava flows.
- Chota Nagpur Plateau - in Jharkhand, called the storehouse of minerals.
- Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand - part of the Central Highlands.
- Meghalaya Plateau - separated from the main block, includes the Khasi and Garo hills.
Importance of Plateaus
- They are rich in minerals like coal, iron ore and manganese.
- Black soil of the Deccan supports cotton farming.
- Many waterfalls and hydel power sites are located on plateau edges.
Quick Revision Points
- The Peninsular Plateau is India's largest and oldest plateau.
- The Deccan Plateau lies south of the Narmada river.
- Chota Nagpur Plateau is the storehouse of minerals.
- Malwa Plateau lies in Madhya Pradesh.
- The Deccan Trap has black basalt soil.
- Meghalaya Plateau includes the Khasi and Garo hills.
- Plateaus are bordered by the Western and Eastern Ghats.