India is divided into six physical features such as: 

1. North and North-Eastern Mountain Region (The North Mountains) 

2. The Northern Plains or the Gangetic Plain 

3. The Southern Peninsular plateau 

4. The Coastal Plains 

5. Thar Deserts 

6. The Islands

1. North and North-East Mountain Region (The Himalaya Mountain): 

The Himalayan range runs north-west to south east in 2500 kilometre long. Three of the world’s major rivers (the Indus, the Gangas and the Brahmaputra) originated from the Himalayas. The highest peak of the world i.e. the Mount Everest (about 8848 metre high from the sea level) is located in this region. 

The Himalaya mountain from South to North has three parallel ranges:

1. Siwaliks 

2. Himachal and 

3. Himadri.

The Himalayas have a profound effect on the climate of the Indian sub-continent and the Tibetan Plateau. They prevent frigid, dry winds from blowing into the subcontinent. It also forms barrier for the monsoon winds, keeping them from travelling northwards, and causing heavy rainfall in the Terai region. All the perennial rivers of the North and North-East India arise from the Himalayas. Almost all the river valley projects owe their origin to this Himalayan region. The region is abundantly rich in biological diversities. There are vast tea and fruit gardens in the Himalayan ranges, and the valleys are laden with flowers and vegetables. The Himalayas are home to a diversity of medicinal resource. There are many worth visiting tourist places. Thus, the Himalayas contribute to the economic and modem development.

2. The Gangetic or The Northern Plains: 

The North Indian plain or the Indo-gangetic plain laying parallel to the south of the Himalayas stretches westwards. The greater part of the plains is made up of alluvial soil, deposited by the Ganga, the Satluj and the Brahmaputra rivers and their tributaries. It is the most fertile part of India and also known as the Granary of India. 

The plains mostly comprise flat land and there are four distinct relief features:

(a) Bhangar: It is that largest part of the plains where the flood waters scarcely reach and is rich in the old alluvial soil. 

(b) Khadar: The Khadar belt is made of the newer deposits from the rivers. Contrary to Bhangar its soil is renewed often due to the annual flow of the flood water in the rivers. 

(c) Bhabar: It is a pebble covered belt. It lies parallel to the Siwalik slopes. 

(d) Terai: South of the Bhabar belt lies the Terai belt. The whole of this belt is marshy. The Northern plains are thickly populated because of their plain surface, alluvial soil and favourable climatic conditions.

3. The Southern Peninsular Plateau: 

The Deccan Plateau is a triangular landmass that lies to the south of the river Narmada. It is bounded by the Vindhya hills in the North, Aravali hills in the North¬West and Western Ghat hills in the West and the remains of the Eastern ghat hills in the east. The Western Ghats are higher than the Eastern Ghats. There are small plateaus as the Deccan plateau and the Chotanagpur plateau. The Deccan plateau is abundantly rich in minerals, and the fertile soil of Lava plateau of Deccan is the most suitable for the production of cotton. The Deccan Plateau is the largest, the most ancient, and the most stringent region of India. The oldest Aravali mountain ranges form the part of the Deccan Plateau.

4. Coastal Plains:

There are two coastal plains of the southern plateau region. The Eastern coastal plain and the Western coastal plain. The Mahanadi Godavari, Kaveri and Krishna rivers flow through these plains. Uncertainty and scarcity of rains in the interior parts of the plateau has affected adversely the agriculture. However, with the use of traditional methods of accumulating water, evolution of means of irrigation and the use of scientific technique of dry farming, dependence on rains for cultivation is gradually, declining. Some parts of the region have dense forests wealth. It is known for the cultivation of rubber, tea, coffee and spices. Most of the tribal population have their habitation in Vindhyachal, Satpura, Chhotanagpur and Sahyadari hills and in the forests.

5. The Islands: 

The Indian Islands lie in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. The group of 247 islands in the Bay of Bengal are known as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Northern Islands are known as the Andaman Islands and the southern Islands are known as the Nicobar Islands. The only active volcano of India is in the barren island of Andaman. The Indira point in the Nicobar is the southern most island of India. The group of 36 islands in the Arabian sea are known as Lakshadweep island. Lakshadweep means one lac islands. It is the famous tourist resort.