GEOGRAPY NOTES

The surface of the earth is a complex zone in which three main components of the
environment meet, overlap and interact. The solid portion of the earth on which we live is
called the Lithosphere. The gaseous layers that surround the earth, is the Atmosphere, where
oxygen, nitrogen, carbon-dioxide and other gases are found. Water covers a very big area of
the earth's surface and this area is called the Hydrosphere. The Hydrosphere comprises water
in all its forms, that is, ice, water and water vapour.
The Biosphere is the narrow zone where we find land, water and air together, which contains
all forms of life.

Earth's Environmental Components

Atmosphere Hydrosphere
The gaseous layer Water in all its forms
surrounding the earth, covering much of the
containing essential earth's surface.
gases.

Lithosphere Biosphere
The solid earth's The zone where life
surface, including rocks exists, integrating land,
and soil. water, and air.

LITHOSPHERE

The solid portion of the earth is called the Lithosphere. It comprises the rocks of the earth's
crust and the thin layers of soil that contain nutrient elements which sustain organisms.

Rocks
Lithosphere
Nutrient
Soil Organisms
Elements

There are two main divisions of the earth's surface. The large landmasses are known as the
continents and the huge water bodies are called the ocean basins. All the oceans of the
world are connected with one another. Look at the map of the world (Figure 5.1). Are all the
land masses connected with one another?
 Are all
Continents landmasses
connected?
Earth's
Surface

Ocean Connected
Basins Oceans

The level of seawater remains the same everywhere. Elevation of land is measured from the
level of the sea, which is taken as zero.

Seawater Reference Land

Level Point Elevation

The highest mountain peak Mt. Everest is 8,848 metres above the sea level. The greatest
depth of 11,022 metres is recorded at Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean.

Measurement (meters)

11022

8848

Geographic
Feature
Mt. Everest Mariana Trench

Comparison of Elevation and Depth

Continents
There are seven major continents. These are separated by large water bodies. These
continents are Asia.

The Seven Continents

Asia

Europe

Africa

Continents

North America

South America

Australia

Europe. Africa, North America. South America. Australia and Antarctica. Look at the map of the
world ( and notice that the greater part of the land mass lies in the Northern Hemisphere.
 Australia Antarctica

Geography Geography
Climate Climate

Europe Africa

Geography Geography
Continents
Climate Climate

North America South America

Geography Geography
Climate Climate

Asia is the largest continent. It covers about one- third of the total land area of the earth. The
continent lies in the Eastern Hemisphere. The Tropic of Cancer passes through this continent.
Asia is separated from Europe by the Ural mountains on the west (Figure 5.1). The combined
landmass of Europe and Asia is called the Eurasia (Europe + Asia).

Geographical Location Physical Boundaries

Eastern Hemisphere Ural Mountains

Asia
Tropic of Cancer Boundary with Europe

Combined Landmass

Eurasia
Europe + Asia

Europe is much smaller than Asia. The continent lies to the west of Asia. The Arctic Circle
passes through it. It is bound by water bodies on three sides. Look at the map of the world
and locate it.
 Smaller than
Asia

Located west
of Asia
Europe
Arctic Circle
passes
through
Yes, on three
sides
Bound by
water bodies?
No, not fully
surrounded

Africa is the second largest continent after Asia. The Equator or 0º latitude runs almost
through the middle of the continent. A large part of Africa lies in the Northern Hemisphere.
Look at the Figure 5.1; you will find that it is the only continent through which the Tropic of
Cancer, the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn pass.

Latitude Lines Size

Equator Second Largest

Tropic of Cancer Africa
After Asia
Tropic of Capricorn

Hemisphere

Large Part
Northern Hemisphere

The Sahara Desert, the world's largest hot desert. is located in Africa. The continent is bound
on all sides by oceans and seas. Look at the world map (Figure 5.1). You will notice that the
world's longest river the Nile, flows through Africa. Notice where the Equator, the Tropic of
Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn pass in the map of Africa.
 Africa

Sahara Tropic of Tropic of

Nile River Equator
Desert Cancer Capricorn

North America is the third largest continent of the world. It is linked to South America by a
very narrow strip of land called the Isthmus of Panama. The continent lies completely in the
Northern and Western Hemisphere. Three oceans surround this continent. Can you name
these oceans?

North America's Global Position

Atlantic Ocean

Pacific Ocean
North America's
Geographical
Context
Arctic Ocean

Isthmus of
Panama

South America lies mostly in the Southern Hemisphere. Which two oceans surround it on the
east and the west? The Andes, world's longest mountain range, runs through its length from
north to south (Figure 5.1). South America has the world's largest river, the Amazon
 Andes Eastern
Mountains Ocean
South
America
Amazon Western
River Ocean

Australia is the smallest continent that lies entirely in the Southern Hemisphere. It is
surrounded on all sides by the oceans and seas. It is called an island continent

Australia's Geographic Identity

Southern
Hemisphere

Surrounded by
Island Continent
Oceans

Smallest
Continent

Antarctica, completely in the Southern Hemisphere. is a huge continent. The South Pole lies
almost at the centre of this continent. As it is located in the South Polar Region, it is
permanently covered with thick ice sheets. There are no permanent human settlements.
Many countries have research stations in Antarctica. India also has research stations there.
These are named as Maitri and Dakshin Gangotri
 Permanent
Ice Coverage
Antarctica

Human
Presence?
Maitri
No India's
Research
Research
Stations
Stations Dakshin
Gangotri

HYDROSPHERE

The earth is called the blue planet. More than 71 per cent of the earth is covered with water
and 29 per cent is with land. Hydrosphere consists of water in all its forms. As running water
in oceans and rivers and in lakes, Ice in glaciers, underground water and the water vapour in
atmosphere, all comprise the hydrosphere.

Hydrosphere

Glaciers and Ice

Freshwater Stores significant water Underground
Bodies reserves in frozen form. Water
Includes rivers and Hidden reservoirs
lakes, essential for crucial for ecosystems
terrestrial life. and human use.

Ocean Water Water Vapor

Represents the majority Contributes to
of Earth's water, atmospheric moisture
covering vast expanses. and weather patterns.

More than 97% of the Earth's water is found in the oceans and is too salty for human use. A
large proportion of the rest of the water is in the form of ice-sheets and glaciers or under the
ground and a very small percentage is available as fresh water for human use. Hence, despite
being a ‘blue planet’ we face a shortage of water.
 Ocean Water Salty Water

Total Water Ice Sheets

on Earth and Glaciers

Other Forms Underground

of Water Water

Limited
Fresh Water
Availability

Oceans
Oceans are the major part of hydrosphere. They are all interconnected.

Interconnected Oceanic Harmony

Pacific Ocean

Atlantic Ocean

Unified Oceanic
Indian Ocean
System

Southern Ocean

Arctic Ocean

The ocean waters are always moving. The three chief movements of ocean waters are the
waves, the tides and the ocean currents. The five major oceans are the Pacific Ocean, the
Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Southern Ocean and the Arctic Ocean, in order of their
size (Figure 5.1).
 Ocean
Movements

Waves Tides Ocean

Currents

Pacific
Ocean

Atlantic Indian Southern Arctic Ocean

Ocean Ocean Ocean

The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean. It is spread over one-third of the earth. Mariana
Trench, the deepest part of the earth, lies in the Pacific Ocean. The Pacific Ocean is almost
circular in shape. Asia, Australia,North and South Americas surround it. Look at the map and
find out the location of the continents around the Pacific Ocean.

Pacific
Ocean

Mariana North South

Asia Australia
Trench America America

The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest Ocean in the world. It is 'S' shaped. It is flanked by
the North and South Americas on the western side, and Europe and Africa on the eastern
side. The coastline of Atlantic Ocean is highly indented. This irregular and indented coastline
provides ideal location for natural harbours and ports. From the point of view of commerce,
it is the busiest Ocean.
 North and
South
Americas

Atlantic Europe and

Ocean Africa

Highly Ideal for

Commercial
Indented Harbors and
Significance
Coastline Ports

The Indian Ocean is the only ocean named after a country, that is, India. The shape of ocean
is almost triangular. In the north, it is bound by Asia, in the west by Africa and in the east by
Australia.

Triangular Oceanic Convergence

Asia's Northern
Boundary

Africa's Western Indian Ocean's

Edge Unique Identity

Australia's
Eastern Frontier