| Non-Rationalised Geography NCERT Notes, Solutions and Extra Q & A (Class 6th to 12th) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Class 6th Geography NCERT Notes, NCERT Question Solutions and Extra Q & A (Non-Rationalised)
1. The Earth In The Solar System
This chapter introduces our home, the Earth, as a part of the vast universe and our Solar System. It describes the various celestial bodies that populate the night sky, like stars, planets, and the Moon. The Sun is identified as the centre of our solar system, a massive star that provides the heat and light essential for life on Earth. The chapter explains that there are eight planets revolving around the Sun in fixed paths called orbits: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. It also covers other members of the solar system, such as satellites (like our Moon), asteroids, and meteoroids. The Earth is highlighted as a unique planet or the "blue planet" because of its favourable conditions—neither too hot nor too cold, with the presence of air and water—which make life possible.
2. Globe : Latitudes And Longitudes
This chapter introduces the globe as a miniature, true model of the Earth, which helps us understand its shape and features. To locate places accurately on this vast sphere, a network of imaginary lines is used. The chapter explains latitudes, which are full horizontal circles running from east to west, parallel to the Equator (the 0° latitude that divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres). Important parallels of latitude include the Tropic of Cancer (23.5° N), the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° S), the Arctic Circle, and the Antarctic Circle. It also details longitudes, which are semi-circles running from the North Pole to the South Pole, known as meridians. They measure distance east or west of the Prime Meridian (0° longitude). The intersection of these latitudes and longitudes forms a coordinate grid system, enabling us to pinpoint the exact location of any place on Earth.
3. Motions Of The Earth
This chapter explains the two primary motions of the Earth that govern our daily and yearly cycles. The first is rotation, which is the spinning of the Earth on its tilted axis. The Earth completes one rotation from west to east in about 24 hours, and this motion is responsible for the cycle of day and night. The side of the Earth facing the Sun experiences day, while the other side experiences night. The second motion is revolution, which is the Earth's movement around the Sun in a fixed elliptical orbit. One revolution takes approximately 365 and ¼ days, which we count as one year. This revolution, combined with the constant tilt of the Earth's axis, causes the change of seasons—summer, winter, spring, and autumn. The extra quarter day is accounted for by adding an extra day to February every four years, creating a leap year.
4. Maps
This chapter introduces maps as two-dimensional drawings of the Earth’s surface, which are essential tools for geographers. Unlike a globe, maps can show specific details of small areas or thematic information. The chapter discusses different types of maps, such as physical maps (showing natural features like mountains and rivers), political maps (showing cities, countries, and borders), and thematic maps (showing specific information like rainfall or roads). It explains the three crucial components of a map: Distance (Scale), which is the ratio between the distance on the map and the actual distance on the ground; Direction, indicated by the cardinal points (North, South, East, West); and Symbols, which are conventional signs and colours used to represent various features like buildings, roads, and trees, as explained in a map's legend or key.
5. Major Domains Of The Earth
This chapter describes the four interconnected spheres or domains of the Earth that make our planet unique. The Lithosphere is the solid, rocky outer layer of the Earth, comprising the continents and the ocean floors. The Hydrosphere includes all the water on Earth in its various forms—oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, ice caps, and groundwater. The Atmosphere is the gaseous layer that surrounds the Earth, composed mainly of nitrogen and oxygen, which protects us and regulates temperature. The fourth and most vital domain is the Biosphere, which is the narrow zone where the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere meet and interact. It is in this zone that life exists, from microorganisms to large animals and plants, making it the domain of life and highlighting the delicate balance between all of Earth's systems.
6. Major Landforms Of The Earth
This chapter explores the variety of the Earth's surface, which is covered with numerous landforms. It explains that these landforms are the result of two types of processes: internal processes (like the upliftment and sinking of the Earth's crust) and external processes (the continuous wearing down and rebuilding of the land surface through erosion and deposition by agents like water, ice, and wind). The chapter details the three major landforms. Mountains are natural elevations, which can be fold mountains (like the Himalayas), block mountains, or volcanic mountains. Plateaus are elevated flat-topped tablelands, often rich in minerals (like the Deccan Plateau). Plains are vast stretches of flat land, which are generally very fertile and thus densely populated (like the Indo-Gangetic Plains). Each landform supports different ways of life.
7. Our Country – India
This chapter presents a comprehensive geographical introduction to Our Country – India. It describes India's vast size and its strategic location in the Southern part of Asia, with the Himalayas guarding its north and the Indian Ocean surrounding its southern peninsula. The chapter outlines India's major physical divisions, showcasing its incredible geographical diversity: the lofty Himalayan Mountains, the fertile Northern Indian Plains, the ancient Peninsular Plateau, the Great Indian Desert, the Coastal Plains, and the two groups of Islands (Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep). It also provides an overview of India's political divisions into states and union territories. The chapter beautifully captures the theme of 'unity in diversity', reflected in its varied landscapes, climates, cultures, and languages.
8. India : Climate, Vegetation And Wildlife
This chapter explores the natural environment of India, focusing on its climate, vegetation, and wildlife. It explains that India's climate can be broadly described as a 'Monsoon' type. The monsoon winds are seasonal winds that bring the bulk of the rainfall, which is crucial for agriculture. The chapter discusses the four major seasons in India: the cold weather season (winter), the hot weather season (summer), the southwest monsoon season (rainy), and the season of retreating monsoon (autumn). This climatic diversity gives rise to a wide variety of natural vegetation, from tropical rainforests in high-rainfall areas to thorny bushes in deserts. This rich vegetation, in turn, supports a diverse array of wildlife. The chapter concludes by emphasizing that conservation is crucial to protect this natural heritage, highlighting the role of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.