Okay, here is a detailed overview of the geography of Himachal Pradesh (HP) tailored for exam preparation, covering key aspects systematically:

1. Location, Extent, and Boundaries

• Location: Himachal Pradesh is a North Indian state situated in the Western Himalayas.
• Coordinates: It lies between approximately 30∘22′ N to 33∘12′ N latitude and 75∘45′ E to 79∘04′ E longitude.
• Area: The state covers an area of 55,673 sq km, which is about 1.7% of India’s total geographical area. It ranks 18th among Indian states by area.
• Boundaries: HP shares borders with:
  • North: Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
  • East: Tibet Autonomous Region (China). Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti districts share this international border (approx. 200 km).
  • Southeast: Uttarakhand (Districts: Kinnaur, Shimla, Sirmaur).
  • South: Haryana (Districts: Solan, Sirmaur) and a very small border with Uttar Pradesh (District: Sirmaur).
  • West: Punjab (Districts: Solan, Bilaspur, Una, Kangra, Chamba). Punjab touches the maximum number of HP districts (5).
• Total Boundary Length: Approximately 1170 km.

2. Physiographic Divisions

Himachal Pradesh exhibits a highly varied topography with altitudes ranging from about 350m to nearly 7000m. It can be broadly divided into four parallel zones running from south to north, progressively increasing in elevation:

• Zone 1: The Outer Himalayas (Shivalik Hills)
  • Altitude: 350m to 1500m.
  • Characteristics: This is the southernmost and youngest zone. Composed of unconsolidated sediments, conglomerate rocks, sand, silt, and clay, making it prone to erosion and deforestation, leading to the formation of ‘Chos’ (seasonal streams/gullies), especially in Una. Includes flat-bottomed valleys known as ‘Duns’ (e.g., Nalagarh Dun). Ancient name: ‘Manak Parbat’.
  • Areas Covered: Low hills of Kangra, Hamirpur, Una, Bilaspur, and lower parts of Mandi, Solan, and Sirmaur.
  • Highest Peak: Churdhar Peak (3647m) in Sirmaur, also called Choor Chandni (‘Mountain of the Silver Bangle’).
• Zone 2: The Lesser Himalayas (Inner Himalayas / Central Zone)
  • Altitude: 1500m to 4500m.
  • Characteristics: Steeper and more rugged than the Shivaliks. Comprises two major ranges:
    • Dhauladhar Range: Visible from Kangra valley, often snow-capped. Also known as the ‘White Range’. Branches off from the Great Himalayan range near Badrinath (Uttarakhand). Intercepted by the Satluj at Rampur, Beas at Larji, and Ravi near Chamba. Highest peak: Hanuman Tibba (~5860m) on the border of Kullu and Kangra.
    • Pir Panjal Range: The largest range of the Lesser Himalayas. Separates from the Great Himalayan Range near the Satluj. Forms the water divide between the Chenab river (to the north) and the Ravi and Beas rivers (to the south). Runs through Chamba and separates Kullu valley from Lahaul valley. Rohtang Pass lies in this range.
  • Areas Covered: Upper areas of Sirmaur (Pachhad, Renuka), Mandi (Chachyot, Karsog), Kangra, Shimla, and Chamba (Churah). Includes famous hill stations like Shimla, Dalhousie, and Manali.
• Zone 3: The Great Himalayas (Alpine Zone / Himadri)
  • Altitude: 4500m to 6000m (peaks often extend higher).
  • Characteristics: Forms the eastern boundary of the state. Characterized by high peaks, deep gorges, and glaciers. Sparsely vegetated. Receives heavy snowfall. Separates the drainage of the Spiti river from the Beas river.
  • Areas Covered: Eastern parts, including upper Kinnaur, parts of Lahaul-Spiti, and the Pangi tehsil of Chamba.
• Zone 4: The Zanskar Range (Trans-Himalayas)
  • Altitude: Extends above 4500m, with peaks often exceeding 6000m. Average elevation around 3000m.
  • Characteristics: Easternmost range, forming the border with Tibet. Acts as a watershed between the Spiti and Beas rivers. Characterized by arid, cold desert conditions (rain shadow effect).
  • Areas Covered: Lahaul-Spiti district and northern Kinnaur.
  • Highest Peak of HP: Reo Purgyil (6816m) in Kinnaur lies in this range. (Note: Shilla peak at 7026m is often mentioned but lies on the Spiti-Kinnaur border area, and Reo Purgyil is officially recognized as the highest within HP). Shipki La pass, through which the Satluj enters India, is in this range.

3. River System

HP provides water to both the Indus and Ganges river basins through five major perennial rivers fed by snow and rainfall:

• Satluj (Sanskrit: Shatudri)
  • Source: Rakas Lake near Mansarovar Lake, Tibet.
  • Entry: Enters HP near Shipki La pass (Kinnaur).
  • Course: Flows through Kinnaur, Shimla, Mandi, Solan, Bilaspur. Exits HP at Bhakra to enter Punjab.
  • Length in HP: Longest river in HP (~320 km).
  • Catchment Area: Largest in HP (~20,000 sq km).
  • Tributaries: Spiti, Baspa, Nogli Khad, Soan.
  • Projects: Bhakra Dam (Gobind Sagar Lake), Nathpa Jhakri, Kol Dam, Rampur Hydro Project.
• Beas (Sanskrit: Vipasha, Vedic: Arjikiya)
  • Source: Beas Kund near Rohtang Pass (Pir Panjal Range).
  • Course: Flows through Kullu Valley, Mandi, Hamirpur, Kangra. Enters Punjab near Mirthal.
  • Length in HP: ~256 km.
  • Tributaries: Parbati, Sainj, Tirthan, Uhl, Banganga, Luni, Chakki.
  • Projects: Pong Dam (Maharana Pratap Sagar), Pandoh Dam, Larji Hydro Project.
• Ravi (Sanskrit: Iravati, Vedic: Purushni)
  • Source: Bara Banghal (Kangra), confluence of Bhadal and Tantgari glaciers.
  • Course: Flows through Chamba valley. Leaves HP near Kheri to enter Punjab/J&K.
  • Length in HP: ~158 km.
  • Tributaries: Budhil, Siul, Seawa, Tantgari.
  • Projects: Chamera Hydro Projects (I, II, III), Baira-Siul Project.
• Chenab (Chandrabhaga) (Vedic: Askini)
  • Source: Formed by the confluence of two streams, Chandra and Bhaga, at Tandi in Lahaul.
  • Course: Flows through Lahaul-Spiti and Chamba. Enters Kashmir at Sansari Nala.
  • Length in HP: ~122 km.
  • Volume: Largest river in HP in terms of water volume/density.
  • Tributaries: Miyar Nallah, Saichu Nallah.
• Yamuna (Sanskrit: Kalindi)
  • Source: Yamunotri glacier in Uttarakhand.
  • Course: Catches the southeastern border of HP in Sirmaur district. Enters HP at Khadar Majri, leaves near Tajewala.
  • Length in HP: Shortest course within HP (~22 km), but its tributaries drain a significant area.
  • Catchment Area: ~2,320 sq km in HP.
  • Tributaries in HP: Giri, Tons, Pabbar (tributary of Tons), Bata. The Giri river originates from Kupar Peak (Shimla) and divides Sirmaur into Cis-Giri and Trans-Giri regions.

4. Climate

HP’s climate shows significant variation due to altitude and aspect:

• Zones:
  • Sub-tropical: Lower hills (Shiwaliks) up to 900m. Hot summers, pleasant winters. Rainfall is high during monsoon.
  • Temperate: Mid-hills (900m – 1800m – Warm Temperate; 1800m – 2400m – Cool Temperate). Pleasant summers, cold winters with snowfall.
  • Alpine/Cold: High mountains (above 2400m). Short, cool summers and long, severe winters with heavy snowfall.
  • Cold Desert: Trans-Himalayan region (Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur). Very cold winters, sparse rainfall (rain-shadow area).
• Rainfall: Average annual rainfall is about 1469 mm. Dharamsala in Kangra receives the highest rainfall (over 3400 mm), while Spiti is the driest (less than 50 mm). Major rainfall occurs during the monsoon (July-September). Winter precipitation as snow is vital for higher regions.
• Seasons: Spring (March-April), Summer (May-June), Monsoon (July-September), Autumn (October-November), Winter (December-February).

5. Lakes

HP is dotted with numerous natural and man-made lakes:

• Major Natural Lakes:
  • High Altitude: Suraj Tal (Lahaul-Spiti, highest), Chandra Taal (Lahaul-Spiti, Ramsar site), Manimahesh (Chamba, sacred), Bhrigu (Kullu), Nako (Kinnaur), Prashar (Mandi, sacred, floating island), Kareri (Kangra), Lama Dal (Chamba, group of 7 lakes), Ghadhasaru (Chamba), Mahakali (Chamba), Serolsar (Kullu), Dashir (Kullu), Dehnasar (Kangra), Chander Naun (Shimla).
  • Low Altitude: Renuka (Sirmaur, largest natural lake, Ramsar site), Rewalsar (Mandi, sacred multi-religion site), Dal (Kangra), Khajjiar (Chamba, ‘Mini Switzerland’), Macchial (Mandi).
• Major Man-made Lakes (Reservoirs):
  • Gobind Sagar (Bilaspur, on Satluj, largest man-made lake in HP).
  • Maharana Pratap Sagar / Pong Dam Lake (Kangra, on Beas, Ramsar site).
  • Pandoh Lake (Mandi, on Beas).
  • Chamera Lake (Chamba, on Ravi).
  • Kol Dam Reservoir (Bilaspur/Mandi, on Satluj).

6. Mountain Passes (Jots)

These passes are crucial for connectivity across ranges:

• Rohtang Pass (3978m): Connects Kullu Valley with Lahaul Valley (Pir Panjal).
• Baralacha La (4890m): Connects Lahaul with Ladakh.
• Shipki La (approx 4500m): Connects Kinnaur with Tibet (Satluj entry point).
• Kunzum La (4551m): Connects Lahaul Valley with Spiti Valley.
• Sach Pass (4414m): Connects Chamba Valley with Pangi Valley.
• Hamtah Pass (4270m): Connects Kullu Valley with Lahaul.
• Indrahar Pass (4342m): Connects Kangra (Dharamshala) with Chamba (Bharmour).
• Pin Parbati Pass (5319m): Connects Parbati Valley (Kullu) with Pin Valley (Spiti).
• Jalori Pass (3120m): Connects Kullu Valley (Inner Seraj) with Outer Seraj.
• Chanshal Pass (4520m): Connects Rohru (Shimla) with Dodra Kwar region.

7. National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries

HP has a rich biodiversity protected through:

• National Parks (5):
  1. Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP), Kullu (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
  2. Pin Valley National Park, Lahaul-Spiti (Cold Desert ecosystem)
  3. Inderkilla National Park, Kullu
  4. Khirganga National Park, Kullu
  5. Simbalbara National Park, Sirmaur
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Around 32 WLS. Key ones include Kibber (Lahaul-Spiti, largest), Dhauladhar (Kangra), Kugti (Chamba), Churdhar (Sirmaur), Pong Dam Lake (Kangra), Renuka (Sirmaur), Kalatop-Khajjiar (Chamba), Bandli (Mandi), Daranghati (Shimla).
• Biosphere Reserve: Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve.
• Ramsar Sites (Wetlands): Pong Dam Lake, Chandratal, Renuka Lake.

8. Administrative Geography

• Districts: 12 Districts.
• Largest District (Area): Lahaul & Spiti.
• Smallest District (Area): Hamirpur.
• Most Populous District (2011 Census): Kangra.
• Least Populous District (2011 Census): Lahaul & Spiti.
• Capitals: Shimla (Summer), Dharamshala (Winter).

9. Soils and Vegetation

• Soils: Vary greatly with altitude and parent rock. Alluvial soils in valleys, Brown forest soils, Podzolic soils in temperate zones, and Mountain meadow soils at higher altitudes. Generally thin and prone to erosion on slopes.
• Vegetation: Follows altitudinal zones – Tropical scrub and Sal forests (low hills), Pine forests (lower temperate), Oak, Deodar, Fir, Spruce (higher temperate), Alpine meadows, Rhododendron, Birch (sub-alpine), and dry Alpine scrub (cold desert).
• Forest Cover: Approximately 68% of the state’s geographical area is under forest cover (recorded forest area).

10. Minerals

Mineral resources are limited but include: Limestone (major resource, used in cement plants), Rock Salt (Mandi), Barytes, Gypsum, Silica Sand, Shale, Slate, and Building Stones.

Quick Facts for Exams:

• Highest Peak: Reo Purgyil (6816m)
• Longest River (in HP): Satluj
• Largest River (by volume): Chenab
• Largest Natural Lake: Renuka Lake
• Largest Man-made Lake: Gobind Sagar Lake
• Highest Lake: Suraj Tal
• Largest District (Area): Lahaul & Spiti
• State Animal: Snow Leopard
• State Bird: Western Tragopan (Jujurana)

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