B.5. Major Plains Of The World

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B.5. Major Plains Of The World

Plains are the most important landforms found on the earth’s surface. The plains are nothing but a low-lying relatively flat land surface with a very gentle slope and minimum local relief. Plains occupy about 55% of the earth’s land surface. Most of the plains have been formed by the deposition of sediments brought down by rivers. Besides rivers, some plains have also been formed by the action of the wind, moving ice, and tectonic activities. Important topics under this tag include,

Classification of Plains: Based on their mode of formation, plains can be classified as:

Structural plain
Erosional plains
Depositional plains

Economic Significance of the plains.

Must know (World Geography)	Masai Mara (Africa): Famous for its wildlife and as a site of the Great Migration.
Must know (Indian Geography)	Coastal Plains: India boasts both Eastern and Western Coastal Plains, which are known for their beautiful beaches and fertile soil.

Here are some major plains around the world and their locations:

Indo-Gangetic Plain	Location: South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal) Description: This is one of the most extensive and fertile plains in the world, formed by the alluvial deposits of the Indus and Ganges-Brahmaputra river systems. It’s known for its rich agricultural output and dense population.
North European Plain	Location: Europe (Germany, Poland, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, France, etc.) Description: This vast plain stretches from France in the west to Russia in the east. It’s a significant agricultural region and home to many of Europe’s major cities.
Great Plains (North American Prairie)	Location: North America (United States and Canada) Description: The Great Plains of North America cover a vast area of flat to gently rolling terrain. They are known for agriculture, particularly wheat farming, and extend from the Canadian prairies in the north to Texas in the south.
Amazon Basin	Location: South America (Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia) Description: The Amazon Basin is the world’s largest tropical rainforest plain, primarily located in Brazil. It is characterized by dense vegetation, a complex river system (including the Amazon River), and rich biodiversity.
Nile Delta	Location: North Africa (Egypt) Description: The Nile Delta is formed by the sedimentary deposits of the Nile River as it flows into the Mediterranean Sea. It’s a fertile region and home to many historic sites and cities, including Cairo.
North China Plain	Location: East Asia (China) Description: The North China Plain is a flat, low-lying region in eastern China, known for its fertile soil and agriculture. It’s one of China’s primary grain-producing areas.
Indus Valley	Location: South Asia (Pakistan and India) Description: The Indus Valley is formed by the Indus River and its tributaries. It’s an important agricultural region, particularly in Pakistan’s Punjab province.
Central Valley (Great Valley of California)	Location: North America (United States – California) Description: The Central Valley of California is a highly productive agricultural area in the western United States, known for its fruit, vegetable, and nut production.
Pampas	Location: South America (Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil) Description: The Pampas are a vast, fertile plain in South America, known for cattle ranching and agriculture. It’s one of the most economically important regions in Argentina.
Siberian Plain (West Siberian Plain)	Location: Asia (Russia) Description: The Siberian Plain is the world’s largest plain, covering a significant part of Russia. It’s characterized by vast stretches of flat land, forests, and wetlands.