India is a vast country (32,87,782 sq.km) with different climatic conditions and customs. There are diversities in the form of worship, way of life and mode of thinking. At the same time, we find an underlying cultural unity in the country. India is a land, where we see unity in diversity. “India” is the epitome of the world. On the basis of its physical features, India can be broadly divided into 5 geographical divisions. They are,

1. The Himalayan regions, 

2. The plains of Hindustan or the Northern plains, 

3. The Deccan plateau or plains, 

4. The coastal region or coastline and 

5. The Thar desert.

1. The Himalayan region: The Himalayas separate India from the rest of Asia. These are the highest mountain ranges in the world. The Himalayas have played a very important role in the Indian history. They prevent the cold winds and invaders from the north. The snow-capped mountain ranges have given birth to the north Indian rivers (Sindhu, Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra). They are rich in minerals and natural wealth.

2. The Northern Plains: It is located between the Himalayas in the north and the Vindhya mountains to the south. From Assam in the east to Punjab in the west, it runs over 2400 kms. This region is watered by the great rivers like the Sindhu and her tributaries in the west, Ganga and Yamuna in the center and Brahmaputra valley in the east.

These rivers have made the plains rich and fertile, and they were the cradles of civilizations and Empires. The great Indus valley civilization and Vedic culture developed in this region. The Aryan culture was brought up in the Indo-Gangetic plain. The northern passes such as Khybar, Bolan, etc., have helped Indians to have commercial and cultural relations with the outside world.

3. The western desert and the dense forests of the Deccan plateau: This region includes the Kathiawar (Gujarat) and Rann of Kutch (Rajastan). It stretches almost up to and beyond the Aravalli range, which is now almost dry in the hot weather. So, this region has turned the inhabitants into hard-working and warlike.

4. Deccan Plateau: It is a tringular peninsula or ‘V’ shaped land. It is surrounded by the Vindhyas in the north and by sea on the other three sides (Bay of Bengal in the east, Arabian sea in the west and the Indian ocean in the south). They have helped develop the commercial and cultural relations with the west.

The geographical diversity and existence of various races like Dravidian, Alpine, Mongolian and different tribes have led to the development of different languages and cultures. The river valleys in the north and south have made the country. agrarian. They have also influenced the rise and fall of many dynasties and growth of many religious, cultural, educational and commercial centres.

5. Coastline: Eastern (Coromandel coast) and western (Malabar) coastal plains are traversed by many big rivers like Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Cauvery. Abundance of rain and favourable climate has resulted in the growth of rich flora (plants of a particular region) and fauna (Animals of a region). Excluding the Himalayas, hills and the desert area, the whole country falls in the tropical climate zone. The atmosphere is conducive for the all-round growth of mankind.