The northern plains of India are densely populated mainly due to which one of the following geographical factors?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Landform
Geographical factors are natural conditions such as water, landforms, climate and soils. People prefer to live on flat plains and gentle slopes, where crops grow well and roads and industries are easy to build.
Option (1) Landform — Correct. The northern plains are flat, with fertile soil and plenty of river water. Farming, roads and towns develop easily on such land, so the Ganga plains are among the most densely populated areas of the world. The ‘terrain’ of a place is its landform.
Option (2) Minerals — Incorrect. Minerals are an economic factor. They draw people to mining areas such as Jharkhand.
Option (3) Natural vegetation — Incorrect. Natural vegetation does not decide where people crowd together. The plains are crowded because of their flat land, water and fertile soil.
Option (4) Educational facilities — Incorrect. Schools and colleges are a facility of cities, not a natural factor. They draw people to cities under urbanisation.
NCERT (2026-27): “FACTORS INFLUENCING THE DISTRIBUTION OF POPULATION … (ii) Landforms: People prefer living on flat plains and gentle slopes. This is because such areas are favourable for the production of crops and to build roads and industries. The mountainous and hilly areas hinder the development of transport network and hence initially do not favour agricultural and industrial development. So, these areas tend to be less populated. The Ganga plains are among the most densely populated areas of the world while the mountains zones in the Himalayas are scarcely populated.” |