Notes-Class-7-Geography-Chapter-6-Natural Regions-Maharashtra Board

Introduction :

• Varied places of the world have varied landforms, climates, soils, and so on. These variations are primarily attributable to the availability of sunlight and water in that area. The amount of sunlight and water varies from the equator to the poles.
• Differences in landforms, climate, and soil have a large impact on flora, animal, and human life, resulting in variances in biodiversity around the world.

Natural regions :

• The climate, vegetation, and animal life on several continents that are distributed between particular latitudes share similarities. The distinguishing characteristics of these regions can be seen in their similarities.
• These areas are referred to as "natural regions" because they stand out due to natural forces. The natural environment in these areas has an impact on all life, including humans.
• A cycle of high tide and low tide is finished every 12 hours and 25 minutes.

Natural regions from the poles to the equator :

Tundra region :

• Location : Tundra region is located between 65° N and 90° N parallels.
• Areas: Greenland, North Canada and North Europe and North Asia lies in this region.
• Climate: The mean summer temperature of Tundra region is 10 °C. Its winter temperature is approximately -20 °C to -30 °C. The mean annual rainfall in Tundra region is 25 to 300 mm. Tundra region has very cold climate.
• Natural vegetation : The natural vegetation in Tundra region is short lived, Short grass, small shrubs, flowers, lichens, moss, etc. are grow in Tundra region.
• Animal life : Animal like caribou, reindeer, polar bears, foxes, Walrus, seals, etc. are seen in Tundra region. Most of the animals in this region have soft and thick fur.
• Human life : Hunting and fisheries are the main occupations of people living in Tundra region. People in this region live in hide tents and igloos. People living in this region use sledges for transportation. Due to tough life, the distribution of population is highly sparse in Tundra region. Eskimo people mainly live in this region.

Taiga region :

• Location : Taiga region is located between 55° N and 65° N parallels.
• Areas : A territory from Alaska to the Atlantic coast and some parts of Eurasia lies in this region.
• Climate : The summer temperature of Taiga region is between 15 °C to 20 °C. Its winter temperature is below 0 °C. The mean annual rainfall in Taiga region is 300 mm to 500 mm. Taiga region receives rainfall in summer and snowfall in winter.
• Natural vegetation : Coniferous forests are mainly seen in Taiga region. Trees in this region have narrow and pointed leaves and their branches lean towards the ground. Most of the trees in this region have soft and light wood. Spruce, fir, pine, redwood are some trees found in coniferous forests of this region.
• Animal life : Most of the animals in Taiga region have soft and thick fur. Caribous, elks, ermine, beavers, silver fox, minks, bears, etc. are the animals seen in Taiga region.
• Human life : Lumbering and hunting are the main occupations of people living in Taiga region. Some of the people are also engaged in few agrarian activities. Population is found to be less in Taiga region.

Grasslands (Steppes and Prairies) region :

• Location: Grasslands (Steppes and Prairies) region is located between 30° and 55° north and south parallels in the interior parts of the continents.
• Areas: Steps (Eurasia), Velds (South Africa), Pampas (South America), Prairies (North America), Dwons (Australia), etc. are some of the important areas/territories in Grasslands (Steppes and Prairies) region.
• Climate : The mean summer temperature of Grasslands (Steppes and Prairies) region is around 27 °C. Its mean winter temperature is below 0 °C. The mean annual rainfall in Grasslands (Steppes and Prairies) region is 400 mm to 600 mm. This region receives its rainfall mostly in summers.
• Natural vegetation : Extensive grass ranches are seen in Grasslands (Steppes and Prairies) region. The short grass in this region grows in lumps and gets dried in winter. Elder, poplar, etc. trees are also found in this region.
• Animal life : The Wild life in Grasslands (Steppes and Prairies) region includes door, horses, dogs, wolves, bisons, rabbits, hares, kangaroos, dingos, etc. Domestic animals like sheep, goat, cattle, horse, donkeys, etc. are also found in this region.
• Human life : Raring animals is the main occupation of people Living in Grasslands (Steppes and Prairies) region. Earlier, people in this region had a nomadic life and most of them used to live in hide tents (Yurts). Kirgiz people from this region are no more nomadic. They now stay in well built houses. People from this region also grow wheat on a large scale. Prairies Grasslands region is called the wheat basket of the world.

Hot Desert region :

• Location : Hot Desert region is located between 20° and 30° north and south parallels in the western parts of the continents.
• Areas : Sahara (North Africa), Colorado (North America), Atacama (South America), Kalharai (South Africa), Thar (Asia), etc. are some of the important areas/ territories in Hot Desert region.
• Climate The summer temperature of Hot Desert region is between 30 °C to 45 °C. Its winter temperature is between 20 °C to 25 °C. The amount of rainfall in Hot Desert region is very low. Tremendous heat during a daytime and cold nights are the main climatic features of this region.
• Natural vegetation : Thorny bushes are mainly seen in Hot Desert region. These bushes hardly have any leaves. Some of the trees in this region have narrow and oily leaves and thick bark. Once the moisture in soil is consumed, plants from this region die. Cactus, sisal, palm, date plams, etc. are the natural vegetation found in Hot Desert region.
• Animal life : Camel is an important animal in Hot Desert region. Camels survive for days without water. Due to extreme heat, the number of animals living on the ground is less in this region. Animals like snakes, rats, lizards, scorpions live inside the ground during daytime. Domestic animals like horse, donkeys, sheep, oxen are also found in this region.
• Human life : Agriculture in Hot Desert region is confined to river valleys and cases. Most of the human needs from this region are fulfilled by animals. People living in Hot Desert region are known by different names in different localities. Bedouins live in Sahara desert, Bushmen live in Kalahari desert and Aborigines live in Australia.

Grasslands (Sudan) region :

• Location : Grassland (Sudan) region is located between 5° and 20° north and south parallels in both the hemispheres.
• Areas: Savanna (Africa), Queensland (Australia), Parkland (Africa), Llanos and Campos (South America), etc. are some of the important areas/territories in Grasslands (Sudan) region.
• Climate : The summer temperature of Grasslands (Sudan) region is around 35 °C. Its winter temperature is around 24 °C. The mean annual rainfall in Grasslands (Sudan) region is around 250 mm to 1000 mm. Summers are hot and humid and Winters are warm and dry in the Grasslands (Sudan) region.
• Natural vegetation : Tall and thick grass is mainly found in Grasslands (Sudan) region. The Elephant grass from this region grow up to 6 m. Trees are rarely seen in this region. Trees from this region have umbrella like canopy. Acacia, agave, sisal, pineapple, cactus, etc. is the natural vegetation found in Grasslands (Sudan) region.
• Animal life: Large number of herbivorous and carnivorous animals are seen in Grasslands (Sudan) region. Most of the herbivorous animals from this region are gifted with speedy legs. Most of the animals from this region have skin with colourful spots or stripes/bands. Loins, cheetah, hyenas, wolf, zebra, giraffe, elephant, rhino, wild ox, buffalo, kangaroo, emu, etc. are the animals seen in Grasslands (Sudan) region.
• Human life : Hunting and raring are the main occupations of people living in Grasslands (Sudan) region. People from this region live in simple houses made up with mud. The houses from this region have walls, thatched roofs and no windows. Most of the houses are short. Dome shaped huts from this region are called Kraals. (Zulu, Hausa, Masai, etc. are the main tribes living in Grasslands (Sudan) region.

Equatorial region :

• Location : Equatorial region is located between 5° N and 5° S of the equator.
• Areas : Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Guinea, Congo basin, Amazon basin are some of the areas/ territories/ countries in equatorial region.
• Climate : The summer temperature of equatorial region is around 30 °C. The mean annual rainfall in Equatorial region is around 2500 mm to 3000 mm. It rains throughout the year in this region. Due to hot and humid climate, vegetal litter decomposes on a large scale leading to many diseases in Equatorial region.
• Natural vegetation : Dense evergreen forests are mainly seen in Equatorial region. Variety of trees and bushes grow in this region. The patches of swampy land are seen at many places in this region. Most of the trees from this region are tall and they have hard wood. Trees like mahagony, greenheart, rosewood, ebony are seen in the evergreen forests of this region.
• Animal life : A great variety of animals is found in Equatorial region. Crocodiles, anaconda and hippopotamus are mainly found in the marshy lands of this region. Many animals and birds from this region live on trees. Chimpanzee, Gorilla, hornbills, etc. are the animals mainly seen in this region. Poisonous insects such as tsetse flies are seen in Equatorial region.
• Human life : Human life in equatorial region is mainly dependent on nature. People from this region live in houses that are built on trees. Human settlements are few in this region. Population of Equatorial region is mostly tribal in nature. Pygmies (Africa), Boro Indians, Semang, etc. are the main tribes live in Equatorial region.

Natural regions that stand out owing to local factors  :

Monsoon region :

• Location : This region is located in north and south of the equator between 10° and 30° N and S parallels.
• Areas: Indian subcontinent, Philippines, West Indies, N. Australia, E. Africa, C. America, etc.
• Climate : Summer temperatures between 27° and 32°C. Winter temperatures 15° to 24°C.  Rainfall 250 to 2500 mm. Areas get rains in specific seasons from SW Monsoon. Rainfall is highly variable and distribution is quite uneven.
• Natural vegetation : Semi-evergeen and deciduous forests. Vegetation depends on the distribution of rainfall. Banyan, peepal, teak, sal, sheesham, sandalwood, cinchona, bamboo, acacia, shrubs, grasses etc.
• Animal life : Wild animals such as tigers, lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, wolves, boars, monkeys, snakes, peacocks, cuckoos, etc. Domesticated animals: cattle, goats, horses.
• Human life : Population is mostly involved in primary occupations. Monsoon rains and other climatic conditions of this region are suitable for the growth of variety of crops. Therefore agriculture and allied activities form the main occupation of people in monsoon region. Large number of small hamlets. Considerable difference in diet and costumes.

Mediterranean region :

• Location : Mediterranean region is located between 30° and 40° parallels in both the hemispheres on the western side of continents.
• Areas : Portugal, Spain, Algeria, Turkey, California, Central Chile, Southwest and Northeast Australia are some of the areas/ territories/ countries in Mediterranean region.
• Climate : The summer temperature of Mediterranean region is around 21 °C to 27 °C. Its winter temperature is between 10 °C to 14 °C. The mean annual rainfall in Mediterranean region is around 500 mm to 1000 mm. Summers are dry in this region. This region mainly receives rainfall in winter.
• Natural vegetation : Most of the trees in this region have thick bark and thick, small and oily leaves. Olive, Oak, Chestnut are the trees commonly seen in this region. Grass grows in the low rainfall areas of this region. Coniferous forests are seen in mountainous areas of this region.
• Animal life : Due to animal husbandry, domesticated animals are found in large numbers in this region. Goats, sheep, cow, mules, horses, etc. are the animals seen in this region.
• Human life : In ancient times, the Greek and Roman civilizations flourished in Mediterranean region. Agriculture is the main occupation of people in Mediterranean region. Fruits and flowers are mainly cultivated by people from this region. Animal husbandry is another important occupation in this region. Wheat and wheat products form the stable diet in Mediterranean region. People from Mediterranean region prefers colourful costumes.

West European region :

• Location : West European region is located between 45° and 65° N and S parallels in the western parts of continents.
• Areas : Norway, Denmark, Ireland, British Colombia, South Chile, New Zealand are some of the territories/ countries in West European region.
• Climate : The mean summer temperature of West European region is around 20 °C. Its mean winter temperature is around 5 °C. The mean annual rainfall in West European region is around 500 mm to 2500 mm. The climate of West European region is mild. It rains throughout the year in this region. The rainfall in this region is mainly in the form of cyclones associated with Westerlies.
• Natural vegetation : Coniferous trees and short grasses are mainly found in West European region. Trees in this region shed their leaves in winter. Oak, beech, maple, elm, pine, spruce, poplar, etc. are some of the trees found in this region. Green grasses are also seen all the year round in this region. .
• Animal life : Due to animal husbandry, domesticated animals are found in large numbers in West European region. Wild animals like wolves, foxes, bears are also seen in this region.
• Human life : People from West European region have been mainly sailors and explorers. They have achieved progress in secondary and tertiary sectors. Because of the cool climatic conditions, people from West European region mostly wear woolen clothes. Due to its mild and warm climate, people from the West European region are energetic, industrious and enthusiastic.

Natural resources :

• Significant differences are found in the environment and available natural resources in different natural regions.
• The use of natural resources depends upon the progress in science and technology of a particular region.
• Similarly, the history and cultural organisation of a particular region also affects the use of natural resources and the life of people.

Know This :

(i) ‘The earth is one single family’ :

• Not only human life but also the entire living world on the earth depends on the available natural resources.
• The concept of ‘the earth is one single family’ will become a reality only if we think of all the living organisms while utilizing the natural resources.

(ii) Deserts :

• About 25% of the deserts on the earth are sandy deserts. Many of the deserts are occupied by rock exposures or covered by stony wastes and pebbles. Some have high hills with narrow rocky pinnacles. Deserts like Ladakh in our country or Arizona in the United States of America are of this type.
• Strong winds blowing in the desert lift and deposit sand to make sandy hills or sand dunes. Some dunes can be as high as 200m. These hills do not remain stationary, but keep moving slowly under the influence of winds. At times, villages get buried under them.