Page 1 - Lesson Note

SAI International School
Grade-IX, Sub: Geography

Ch2- Physical Features of India
(Sub Topic 6)- The Islands

Sub-topics Lesson Notes

The Islands The Indian territory includes two groups of Islands namely Lakshadweep in the
( Page Arabian Sea and Andaman and Nicobar islands in the Bay of Bengal.
No.14) Lakshadweep Islands:
• The Lakshadweep Islands were earlier known as Laccadive, Minicoy and
Amindive. They lie close to the Malabar coast of Kerala.
• It is a group of about 36 islands and covers total land area of 32 sq km. Only ten of
them are inhabited.
• This group of islands is composed of small coral islands which are mostly atolls,
 Coral polyps are short-lived microscopic organisms, which live in colonies and
flourish in shallow, mud-free and warm waters.
 They secrete calcium carbonate. The coral secretion and their skeletons grow
in height in the due course of time and form a coral base or coral structure in
the sea are called coral reefs.
 There are three kinds of coral reefs- barrier reef, fringing reef and atolls.
• Kavaratti island is the administrative headquarters of Lakshadweep.
•This island group has great diversity of flora and fauna. The Pitti island, which is
uninhabited, has a bird sanctuary.
Andaman and Nicobar islands
• The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are an elongated chain of islands located in the
Bay of Bengal.
• They are bigger in size and are more numerous and scattered.There are 572
islands in the group.
• The entire group of islands is divided into two broad categories – The Andaman in
the north and the Nicobar in the south.
• These islands are an elevated portion of submarine mountains.
• India’s only active volcano is found on Barren island in Andaman and Nicobar group
of Islands. The last eruption happened in 2017.
• These islands lie close to equator and experience equatorial climate and has thick
forest cover.
• There is great diversity of flora and fauna in this group of islands too.
• These island groups are of great strategic importance for the country.

Conclusion How these diverse physical features are complementary or useful for India?
( Page • The mountains are the major sources of water and forest wealth. They further
No.14) contribute to the formation of the plains.
• The northern plains are important for agriculture and provide base for various