Social Science- Geography

Climate of India

Extra Questions 

1.    What does the word mausim mean? (Season)

2.    Define climate. (Climate is defined as the weather conditions prevailing in an area over a long period of time).

3.    What did Sir Dudley Stamp, a renowned geographer of the 20th century, say about India? (That ‘India is basically a tropical country, although its Northern part is situated in the temperate belt’. Thus, he refers to the climate of India as ‘Tropical Monsoon Climate.’)

4.    From where is the word ‘monsoon’ derived? (from the Arabic word ‘mausim’ which means seasons)

5.    What are the chief characteristics of this type of climate? (High temperatures throughout the year, Dry winters in most parts of the country)

6.    Give few examples of diversities in the monsoonal unity of Indian climate. (The maximum temperature in Rajasthan may rise up to 48°C to 50°C, while it may only reach up to 22°C in Gulmarg in Kashmir in June. 1)The temperature may dip to - 40°C at Kargil and only reach 20°C to 22°C in Chennai in the month of December. 2) The annual rainfall at Mawsynram may be recorded as 1,221 cm. On the contrary Jaisalmer in Rajasthan may receive annual rainfall of only 12 cm.)

7.    How does distance from the sea influence the climate? Give an example. (Coastal areas are neither too hot nor too cold. They enjoy equable climate. For example, Mumbai. On the contrary areas which are surrounded by land on all sides experience extreme or continental type of climate.)

8.    Explain how location and latitudinal extent influence the climate of India. (The Tropic of Cancer divides the country into two parts. Areas to the South experience high temperature throughout the year. The areas North experience comparatively low temperatures.)

9.    Explain the impact of the climate on the lives of human beings. (Crops –climate of a particular area determines the types of crops that will be grown in that region For example, tea is grown in high mountains whereas wheat is grown in the plains. Houses –The shape and style of the house is also influenced by the climate of the region. For example, mountains and hills have houses with sloping roofs; dry lands have houses with flat roof. Clothes –People who live in high mountains wear woollen clothes almost throughout the year, while those living in the plains and plateau region seldom wear woollen clothes.)

10. What causes seasonal variations? (Temperature, the monsoon winds and the amount of rainfall)

11. What are the different types of seasons in India and in which month do they fall? (Cold weather season (Winter): Mid December to February; Hot weather season (Summer): March to May; The South - West monsoon season (Rainy): June to mid September; The season of retreating monsoon (Cool): October to mid December)

12. What are the main characteristics of the winter season? (Clear sky, fine weather, light Northerly winds, low humidity and low temperature)

13. Where do the ‘Western Disturbances’ originate? (in the Mediterranean Sea)

14. What happens when the ‘Western Disturbances’ enter our country? (These winds cause little rainfall over the Indo - Gangetic Plains and snowfall in the Himalayas)

15. What is loo? (Hot, dry and dusty winds blowing over the Northern Plains during this season are known as ‘loo’.)

16. What are ‘Mango Showers’? (Coastal areas receive rainfall known as ‘Mango Showers’ during this time of the year that helps in early ripening of mangoes.)

17. Which is the coldest month of the winter season? What is the range of the temperature? (January is the coldest month of this season - temperature ranges between 14°C and 27°C)

18. What is the mean temperature during the summer season? ( between 30 to 35°C)

19. Describe the South - West Monsoon Season or Rainy Season: (The onset of this season is on the Kerala coast. During their journey, the South- West Monsoon winds pick enough water from the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. These winds enter the country and strike the mountains and the hills, causing heavy rainfall. India receives three fourths of the total rainfall during this season. Since these winds enter from the South West direction of the country they are known as South - West Monsoon winds. The temperature decreases 2°C to 6°C on an average from that in the summer season. This season is also termed as pre - monsoon or season of advancing monsoon.)

20. What are the chief characteristics of the Cool season (decrease in the humidity levels and clear skies over Northern and Central parts of India)

21. What causes rain during the cool season? (Storms or tropical cyclones are formed in the Bay of Bengal that causes rain).

22. From where does the rain shadow region receive rainfall? (The rain shadow region receives rainfall from North - East Retreating Monsoon winds.)

23. Name two coastal areas that receive good amount of rainfall during the cool season. (Coastal areas such as the Ganga - Brahmaputra delta, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, receive good amount of rainfall during this season.)

24. Why are tropical cyclones formed in the Bay of Bengal are a great threat to life and property? (as these are accompanied by surface winds and thunderstorms)

25. What is the average temperature during the cool season? (between 25°C and 30°C)

26. Name any two anamalous rainfall regions. (Tamil Nadu; Assam ;Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Western parts of Uttar Pradesh.)

27. Name two regions with very low rainfall: (Western Punjab, Kuchchh, Jammu and Kashmir, South Punjab)

28. Name two regions with very high rainfall: (Western coastal plain, Western slope of Western Ghats, and most of the North Eastern States.)

29. Name two regions with high rainfall: (Eastern slopes of Western Ghats, major parts of Northern Plains, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Andra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Eastern coastal plain)

30. Name two regions with 50-100 cm of rainfall: (Larger parts of Gujarat, Maharashtra, some parts of Madhya Pradesh, Andra Pradesh, Karnataka, Eastern Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and parts of Uttar Pradesh)

31. Explain the Importance of Monsoon: (A large number of Indian people depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Thus, monsoon rains act as a unifying factor and yield good crops for them. India is an agricultural country. Its economy is greatly influenced by monsoon that results in adequate amount of crop production and facilitates its export. The monsoon season prevails in the country for a short duration. This leads to scarcity of water at certain times. Sudden heavy downpour may cause floods in the country. Again, little or no rainfall may lead to droughts. Thus, management of monsoon water by constructing dams, irrigation canals, etc. is important in our country.)