| Non-Rationalised Geography NCERT Notes, Solutions and Extra Q & A (Class 6th to 12th) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Class 7th Geography NCERT Notes, NCERT Question Solutions and Extra Q & A (Non-Rationalised)
1. Environment
This chapter introduces the fundamental concept of Environment, defining it as our basic life support system—everything that surrounds us. It breaks down the environment into its major components. The natural environment includes both biotic (living organisms like plants and animals) and abiotic (non-living elements like land, water, and air) components. The chapter explains the major domains of the natural environment: the Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere, and Biosphere. In contrast, the human environment comprises the creations and interactions of human beings, from buildings and bridges to social institutions like the family and community. A key theme is the dynamic interaction between humans and their environment. It highlights how humans continuously modify their natural surroundings, sometimes leading to adverse consequences, and stresses the importance of living in harmony with our environment.
2. Inside Our Earth
This chapter takes us on a journey to the interior of the Earth, revealing its layered structure, much like an onion. It describes the three main concentric layers. The uppermost layer is the crust, which is the thinnest of all layers and is divided into continental crust and oceanic crust. Beneath the crust lies the mantle, a thick layer of semi-molten rock that extends to a great depth. The innermost layer is the core, which has a very high temperature and pressure and is divided into a liquid outer core and a solid inner core, primarily made of nickel and iron (NiFe). The chapter also explains that the Earth's crust is made up of various types of rocks (igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic) and minerals, and it introduces the concept of the rock cycle—the process through which rocks continuously transform from one type to another.
3. Our Changing Earth
This chapter explains that the Earth's surface is not static but is constantly undergoing change due to the action of two opposing forces. Endogenic forces (internal forces) originate from inside the Earth and cause sudden movements like earthquakes and volcanoes, as well as slow movements that build mountains. The chapter explains the concept of lithospheric plates, whose movement causes these phenomena. In contrast, Exogenic forces (external forces) act on the surface of the Earth and are responsible for wearing down the landscape through processes of weathering and erosion. The chapter details the work of various agents of erosion—rivers (creating V-shaped valleys and deltas), sea waves (forming sea cliffs and beaches), ice (glaciers carving out deep hollows), and wind (building sand dunes in deserts)—which continuously shape and reshape our planet's diverse landforms.
4. Air
This chapter provides a detailed overview of the atmosphere, the blanket of air that surrounds our planet. It begins with the composition of the atmosphere, highlighting that it is a mixture of many gases, predominantly Nitrogen (78%) and Oxygen (21%), with other gases like carbon dioxide and argon making up the rest. The chapter describes the layered structure of the atmosphere: the Troposphere (where all weather phenomena occur), the Stratosphere (containing the vital ozone layer), the Mesosphere, the Thermosphere, and the Exosphere. It then explains the key elements of weather and climate, including temperature, air pressure, wind (the movement of air from high-pressure to low-pressure areas), and moisture (leading to precipitation), illustrating the complex and dynamic nature of the air around us.
5. Water
This chapter explores the vital resource of water, which covers about three-fourths of the Earth's surface. It begins by explaining the water cycle—the continuous circulation of water from the Earth's surface to the atmosphere and back again, through the processes of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. The chapter discusses the distribution of water on Earth, noting that the vast majority of it is saline water in the oceans, with only a small fraction being freshwater. A major focus is on the dynamic movements of ocean water: Waves, which are caused by wind; Tides, the rhythmic rise and fall of ocean water, caused by the gravitational pull of the Sun and the Moon; and Ocean Currents, which are streams of water flowing constantly on the ocean surface in definite directions, and which can be warm or cold, significantly influencing regional climates.
6. Natural Vegetation And Wildlife
This chapter examines the diverse plant and animal life across the globe, focusing on natural vegetation and wildlife. It explains that the type of vegetation in a region is primarily determined by temperature and moisture. The chapter categorizes the world's major vegetation types into three broad categories: Forests, which grow in areas of heavy rainfall and are further classified into types like tropical evergreen, tropical deciduous, and coniferous; Grasslands, which grow in regions of moderate rainfall; and Shrubs, found in dry, desert-like regions. Each of these vegetation belts supports a unique assemblage of wildlife. The chapter concludes by highlighting the threat to these ecosystems from human activities and stressing the urgent need for the conservation of forests and wildlife to maintain ecological balance.
7. Human Environment–Settlement, Transport And Communication
This chapter shifts the focus to the human environment, exploring how humans have organized their lives on the Earth's surface. It begins with human settlements, which are places where people build their homes. Settlements are classified as temporary or permanent, and as rural or urban. The chapter then discusses transport, the means by which people and goods move. It covers the four major means of transport: roadways, railways, waterways, and airways, highlighting how modern transport systems have made travel faster and easier. Finally, it explores communication, the process of conveying messages to others. It traces the evolution from personal communication to mass media, explaining how new technologies like satellites and the internet have created a communication revolution, making the world a more connected place.
8. Human Environment Interactions The Tropical And The Subtropical Region
This chapter provides a case-study approach to understanding human-environment interactions by focusing on two distinct regions. First, it examines life in the Amazon Basin, a tropical region characterized by hot, wet climate and dense rainforests. It describes the unique flora and fauna and the lives of the indigenous people who practice "slash and burn" agriculture. Second, it explores life in the Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin in India, a fertile subtropical region with a monsoon climate. This region supports a dense population, with agriculture being the main occupation. By comparing these two regions, the chapter illustrates how different physical environments shape human life, culture, and economic activities, and how humans, in turn, adapt to and modify their surroundings.
9. Life In The Deserts
This chapter explores life in the deserts, which are regions characterized by extreme temperatures and scarce rainfall. It covers two types of deserts. First, the hot desert, using the example of the Sahara Desert in Africa. It describes the harsh climate, the sparse flora (like cactus), and the fauna (like camels). It also details the lives of the nomadic tribes, like the Bedouins and Tuaregs, who have adapted to these conditions. Second, the chapter examines the cold desert, using the example of Ladakh in India. It highlights its high altitude, freezing temperatures, and rain-shadow location. The chapter describes the unique flora and fauna and the lives of the people, who are mainly Buddhists and practice agriculture and pastoralism in this challenging environment. It showcases the remarkable human and natural adaptations to some of the planet's most extreme conditions.