Chapter 15: Map-Based Geography (India & World)
15.1 Importance of Map-Based Questions
- Frequent in UPSC Prelims — especially features in the news (e.g., cyclone tracks, dams, international borders)
- Helps in linking static + current affairs
- Aids in better visual retention and quick recall
15.2 Indian Map Essentials (Physical)
A. Rivers
| River | Origin | Flows Through | Ends At |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ganga | Gangotri Glacier | Uttarakhand, UP, Bihar, WB | Bay of Bengal |
| Yamuna | Yamunotri (Uttarakhand) | UP, Delhi | Merges with Ganga |
| Brahmaputra | Mansarovar (Tibet) | Arunachal, Assam | Bay of Bengal |
| Godavari | Trimbakeshwar (MH) | Maharashtra, Telangana, AP | Bay of Bengal |
| Narmada | Amarkantak (MP) | MP, Gujarat | Arabian Sea |
| Tapi | Satpura Range | MP, Gujarat, Maharashtra | Arabian Sea |
B. Mountains & Passes
- Himalayas: Great, Lesser, Shiwalik
- Passes:
- Zoji La (J&K–Ladakh)
- Nathu La (Sikkim–China)
- Shipki La (Himachal–Tibet)
- Khyber Pass (India–Afghanistan via Pakistan)
C. Plateaus
- Deccan Plateau – Black soil, volcanic origin
- Chotanagpur Plateau – Mineral-rich
- Malwa Plateau – Agriculture-intensive
D. Deserts & Salt Lakes
- Thar Desert – Western Rajasthan
- Sambhar Lake – Largest inland salt lake (Rajasthan)
E. Dams & Projects
| Dam | River | State |
|---|---|---|
| Bhakra Nangal | Sutlej | Punjab/HP |
| Hirakud | Mahanadi | Odisha |
| Sardar Sarovar | Narmada | Gujarat |
| Nagarjuna Sagar | Krishna | Telangana/AP |
| Tehri | Bhagirathi | Uttarakhand |
15.3 Indian Political Map
State Borders & Capitals
- Know North-East borders (Arunachal-China, Nagaland–Myanmar)
- UTs: J&K & Ladakh (map in line with GoI stance)
- Capitals:
- Chandigarh (Haryana, Punjab)
- Dispur (Assam), Itanagar (Arunachal), Raipur (Chhattisgarh)
Ports & Cities on Coast
- West Coast: Mumbai, Mormugao, Kochi, Kandla
- East Coast: Chennai, Paradip, Visakhapatnam, Kolkata
15.4 Indian Resources & Industry Map
| Resource | States |
|---|---|
| Iron ore | Odisha, Jharkhand, Karnataka |
| Coal | Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, WB |
| Bauxite | Odisha, Gujarat, Maharashtra |
| Oil Refineries | Gujarat (Jamnagar), Assam (Digboi), HP (Baddi – pharma) |
| IT Cities | Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Noida, Pune |
15.5 Indian Climate Zones (Map Understanding)
- Tropical wet: Western Ghats, NE India
- Semi-arid: Gujarat, Deccan interior
- Arid: Rajasthan
- Temperate: Kashmir, Himachal
- Mountain (Alpine): Himalayas
15.6 World Map Essentials
A. Continents & Countries in News
- Israel–Gaza, Ukraine–Russia, Taiwan–China
- Suez Canal (Egypt), Panama Canal (Central America)
- Strait of Hormuz, Bab-el-Mandeb, Malacca
B. World Rivers
- Amazon (Brazil)
- Nile (Africa)
- Yangtze, Mekong (China, SE Asia)
- Mississippi (USA)
- Danube (Europe)
C. Mountains & Deserts
- Andes (S. America), Rockies (N. America), Alps (Europe)
- Sahara (Africa), Gobi (Mongolia), Great Sandy (Australia)
Indian River System – Exam-Oriented Chart (with Left & Right Bank Tributaries)
| Main River | Origin | Drainage Pattern | Left Bank Tributaries | Right Bank Tributaries | Drains Into | Type | Extra Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indus | Lake Mansarovar (Tibet) | Dendritic | Zanskar, Suru, Soan, Jhelum, Chenab | Ravi, Beas, Sutlej | Arabian Sea | Perennial | Treaty with Pakistan (IWT 1960) |
| Ganga | Gangotri Glacier | Dendritic | Ramganga, Gomti, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi, Mahananda | Yamuna, Tamsa, Son, Punpun | Bay of Bengal | Perennial | World’s largest delta with Brahmaputra |
| Brahmaputra | Angsi Glacier (Tibet) as Tsangpo | Braided | Dibang, Lohit | Subansiri, Kameng, Manas, Teesta | Bay of Bengal | Perennial | Flows through 3 countries (Tibet, India, Bangladesh) |
| Yamuna | Yamunotri (Uttarakhand) | Dendritic | Hindon, Chambal (left to Yamuna) | Betwa, Ken, Tons | Joins Ganga | Perennial | Runs through Delhi – subject of pollution case law |
| Godavari | Trimbakeshwar (Maharashtra) | Radial | Purna, Pranhita, Indravati, Sabari | Manjira, Manair | Bay of Bengal | Seasonal | Called ‘Dakshin Ganga’ |
| Krishna | Mahabaleshwar (Maharashtra) | Trellis | Bhima, Musi | Tungabhadra, Koyna | Bay of Bengal | Seasonal | Heavy dam use (Almatti, Nagarjuna Sagar) |
| Mahanadi | Sihawa Hills (Chhattisgarh) | Dendritic | Seonath, Hasdeo | Mand, Jonk | Bay of Bengal | Seasonal | Hirakud Dam: One of longest |
| Narmada | Amarkantak Plateau (MP) | Trellis | Sher, Tawa | Hiran, Orsang | Arabian Sea | Seasonal | Flows through Rift Valley; Estuary |
| Tapi | Multai, Satpura Range (MP) | Trellis | Purna | Girna, Panjhra | Arabian Sea | Seasonal | Parallel to Narmada |
| Kaveri | Talakaveri (Karnataka) | Dendritic | Hemavati, Shimsha | Bhavani, Amaravati | Bay of Bengal | Seasonal | Mettur Dam – Cauvery water dispute with TN |
| Sabarmati | Aravalli Hills | Dendritic | Sei | Wakal | Arabian Sea | Seasonal | Flows through Ahmedabad |
| Sutlej | Rakshastal (Tibet) | Dendritic | Spiti, Baspa | Beas | Arabian Sea (via Indus) | Perennial | Major hydropower river |
| Teesta | Pauhunri Glacier (Sikkim) | Trellis | Rangpo | Great Rangit | Bay of Bengal (via Brahmaputra) | Perennial | Teesta dispute with Bangladesh |