Geography
Explain the major differences in the way of life of the people of the mountains and plains.
Answer
Differences in the way of life of the people of the mountains and plains —
| Basis of Comparison | Life in the Mountains | Life in the Plains |
|---|---|---|
| Population Density | Mountains are rocky and steep; hence, fewer people choose to live on the difficult terrain. | Plains are flat, which makes it easier to build houses and roads on them. Thus, plains are usually densely populated. |
| Shelter and clothing | Most of the houses are made of wood and have slanting roofs to help the snow or rain slide off. Since mountains and hills are are colder, people wear woollen clothes for many months in a year. | Most of the houses are made of clay and bricks. Light, cotton clothing is preferred for many months of the year. Areas that receive heavy rainfall have houses with slanting roofs, while areas that receive moderate to less rainfall have flat roofs. |
| Cultivation | Cultivation is difficult on rugged slopes. Some crops such as tea and coffee may be grown on gentle slopes. Cereals and vegetables can be grown through terraced cultivation. | Plains are fertile and easy to cultivate. Hence, many types of crops are grown here. |
| Transport | Transport network is not well developed in the mountains due to the steep and rugged terrain. Roadways are the most common means of transport and help in internal movement of people and goods. | It is easy to establish a dense network of roads and railways on flat, level land of the plains. The rivers here are navigable. |
| Industries | It is difficult to establish large factories on uneven terrain. Sourcing of raw materials and distribution of finished products are also difficult. | Large-scale industrialisation is possible as the land surface is even and transport network is well developed. |
| Occupation | Agriculture, handicraft production and tourism are common occupations. | Agriculture, industry and trade are important occupations. |
Related Questions
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How are alluvial plains formed? How are the plains most suitable for economic activities?
Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:
Mountains are most commonly formed by folding or buckling of the Earth's crust due to forces of compression. These are thus called fold mountains. This process generally happens when two plates collide or move towards each other. The collision causes the edges of the plates to be raised or uplifted to form mountains. Most fold mountains thus occur at margins of plates, notable examples being the Andes, Rockies and Himalayas. Fold mountains are of two types—
- young fold mountains such as the Himalayas and the Alps were formed a few million years ago.
- On the other hand, old fold mountains such as the Aravallis and the Urals were formed several hundred million years ago.
- Name two mountain ranges that lie on the edges of the plates.
- Draw a diagram to show a folded topography.
- What are the different types of fold mountains? Mention with example.