Natural Regions of the World - Questions & Answers

I. Choose the correct option:

1. A part of Earth's surface which has a comparatively high degree of uniformity of structure, surface form and climate within it:
(a) Earth Region     (b) Surface Region     (c) Climate Region     (d) Natural Region
Answer: (d) Natural Region

2. The basic factor on the basis of which the world is divided into major natural regions is:
(a) temperature     (b) area     (c) water     (d) climate
Answer: (d) climate

3. In different natural regions human activities differs when there is dominance of:
(a) agriculture     (b) animal husbandry     (c) forestry     (d) all of the above.
Answer: (d) all of the above.

4. Which of the following is true for the Equatorial region?
(a) Temperature ranges from 25°C to 30°C
(b) Rainfall is orographic
(c) Crops like cotton are cultivated
(d) It lies in the temperate zone.
Answer: (a) Temperature ranges from 25°C to 30°C

5. Equatorial forests : Broad-leaved evergreen trees :: (b) Tropical monsoon forests : deciduous trees
(a) Tropical grasslands     (b) Tropical monsoon forests     (c) Mediterranean forests     (d) Temperate grasslands

6. The top layer formed by the crowns of trees which grow close together:
(a) understorey     (b) canopy     (c) emergent layer     (d) forest floor
Answer: (b) canopy

7. Equatorial Region : Lungs of the World :: (c) Steppes : Granaries of the World
(a) Savannas     (b) Selvas     (c) Steppes     (d) Tundra

8. Which amongst the following is also called the 'natural cattle country'?
(a) Tropical Deserts     (b) Tropical Rainforests     (c) Tropical Grasslands     (d) Mediterranean Region
Answer: (c) Tropical Grasslands

9. Plants which are adapted to arid condition:
(a) Arid Plants     (b) Adapted Plants     (c) Xeropholic Plants     (d) Xerophytic Plants
Answer: (d) Xerophytic Plants

10. Which amongst the following is not one of the Tropical Marine Type Area?
(a) Honduras     (b) Thailand     (c) Eastern Brazil     (d) Jamaica
Answer: (b) Thailand

11. Which amongst the following is the most common tree found in the Mediterranean Region?
(a) Oak     (b) Laurel     (c) Cork     (d) Olive
Answer: (d) Olive

12. Steppes : Euro-asia :: Downs : (b) Australia
(a) South America     (b) Australia     (c) Mediterranean region     (d) Savannas

13. Which amongst the following is also known as the 'Cool Temperate Continental Type' or 'Siberian Type'?
(a) Taiga Region     (b) Mediterranean Region     (c) Tropical Deserts     (d) Temperate Grasslands
Answer: (a) Taiga Region

14. The Tundra type of climate is also known as the:
(a) Antarctic Type     (b) Polar Type     (c) Tundra Type     (d) Plain Type
Answer: (b) Polar Type

15. In mid-winters (January) temperature in the Tundra is as low as:
(a) 0 degrees     (b) -15 degrees     (c) -10 degrees     (d) -37 degrees
Answer: (d) -37 degrees

16. Assertion (A): The climatic regions are also named after the vegetation type prevalent there.
Reason (R): The climate influences soil, flora and fauna and the vegetation of the region.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R does not explain A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

17. Assertion (A): The relation between climate and human activities is striking in regions where the primary activities like agriculture, animal husbandry and forestry are dominant.
Reason (R): These activities are governed directly by the climatic conditions.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R does not explain A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

---

II. Complete the following Table.

Climate type	Location	Climate	Vegetation	Human Adaptation
Equatorial Region	Between 0-10° North and South of Equator.	Heavy rainfall and constant high temperatures throughout the year.	Dense Tropical Rainforests (broad-leaved evergreen trees).	Hunting, gathering, shifting cultivation, and plantation agriculture.
Tropical Grasslands	Between 7° to 20° North and South of the Equator.	Hot, wet summers and cool, dry winters.	Tall coarse grass and short scattered deciduous trees.	Pastoralism, cattle ranching, and plantation agriculture.
Tropical Deserts	Between 15° to 30° North and South Latitudes (western margins of continents).	Hot summers, cool winters with extreme temperatures and very scanty rainfall.	Xerophytic plants (cacti, thorny shrubs).	Nomadic hunting and gathering; farming near oases with irrigation.
Tropical Monsoon Type Climate	Southern Asia, parts of Southeast Asia, and Northern Australia.	Hot summers and cool winters with distinct rainy seasons (wet summer monsoons, dry winter monsoons).	Tropical Deciduous Forests.	Agriculture heavily dependent on natural rainfall and supported by a large labor force.
Mediterranean Region	Between 30° to 45° North and South Latitudes on western margins of continents.	Warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters.	Broad-leaved evergreen and deciduous trees adapted to drought (olive, oak).	Orchard farming (especially citrus fruits) and general agriculture.
Temperate Grasslands	Interior of continents in the mid-latitude zone between 40° to 55° North and South.	Hot summers and severely cold winters with low rainfall.	Treeless plains with short and soft grasses.	Extensive mechanized wheat cultivation ('granaries of the world').
Taiga Region	Between 55° and 70° in the Northern Hemisphere.	Severe, long winters and short, cool summers with snowfall.	Evergreen coniferous forests (pine, fir, spruce).	Lumbering (softwood); limited farming in sheltered valleys.

---

III. Short Answer Questions

1. Define the term 'natural region'.
Answer: A natural region refers to a part of the Earth's surface which has a comparatively high degree of uniformity of structure, surface form and climate within it.

2. Name any four natural regions of the world.
Answer: Equatorial Region, Tropical Grasslands, Tropical Deserts, and the Mediterranean Region.

3. Briefly state the relationship between climate and human activities.
Answer: Human response shows a broad relationship with climatic conditions. The relation is particularly striking in regions where primary activities like agriculture, animal husbandry, and forestry are dominant, as these activities are directly governed by the temperature and water supply specific to that climate.

4. State the location of the Equatorial Region.
Answer: The Equatorial Region extends between 0-10° north and south of the Equator.

5. What is the latitudinal extent of the Monsoon climate?
Answer: It lies primarily in the tropical and subtropical latitudes, mostly covering Southern Asia, parts of Africa, Central America, and Northern Australia.

6. Name the two dominant type of vegetation of the Equatorial region.
Answer: The two dominant types of vegetation are the emergent layer trees (like kapok and mahogany) and continuous canopy trees forming thick, luxuriant Tropical Rainforests with broad-leaved evergreen trees.

7. State the location of the Tropical Desert Climate region.
Answer: Tropical Deserts are located between 15° to 30° North and South Latitudes, primarily lying to the west of the landmasses.

8. What are xerophytic plants?
Answer: Plants which are adapted to arid conditions are known as xerophytic plants. They have long roots, thick fleshy stems to store water, and often have thorns instead of leaves to prevent moisture loss.

9. What local conditions produce variation in the Mediterranean Type of climate?
Answer: The indented coastline and East-West extent of the sea allow the Westerly winds to penetrate deep inland. Additionally, local cold polar winds (like Mistral and Bora) and hot southern winds (like Sirocco and Khamsin) cause variations.

10. State the rainfall pattern in the Mediterranean climate.
Answer: The Mediterranean region experiences moderate rainfall primarily in winter, brought by the Westerlies. The annual average rainfall varies between 35 cm to 75 cm, with summers remaining dry.

11. What type of vegetation is found in the Mediterranean region?
Answer: The vegetation is predominantly deciduous, adapted to withstand long summer droughts. Trees have long roots and thick barks (e.g., olive, oak, laurel, cork). Citrus fruits are also widely cultivated.

12. Name six Temperate Grasslands of the world.
Answer: Steppes (Euro-Asia), Puszta (Hungary), Velds (Africa), Prairies (North America), Pampas (South America), and Downs (Australia).

13. Why there are no trees in the Steppe type climate region?
Answer: The Steppes are practically treeless due to scanty rainfall, long periods of drought, and severe winters.

14. Why is the climate in the Mediterranean region so called?
Answer: It is called so because the largest stretch of area experiencing this specific climate type lies along the margins of the Mediterranean Sea.

---

IV. Structured Questions

1. (a) Explain how is a natural region a homogeneous unit.
Answer: A natural region is a homogeneous unit because climatic conditions, soil, natural vegetation, and human activities are generally uniform within it, despite minor local variations.

(b) State any two common characteristics on which different climate zones are based.
Answer: (i) Temperature, pressure, winds, and humidity conditions. (ii) Distinct natural vegetation and wildlife.

(c) Give a reason for each of the following:
(i) There is a uniformly high temperature in the Equatorial region.
Answer: The region lies in the Torrid belt near the Equator where the Sun's rays have a high angle of incidence, and days and nights are of almost equal duration throughout the year.
(ii) Though Mt. Kilimanjaro is located close to the Equator, yet its peaks remain covered with snow throughout the year.
Answer: Temperature is modified by high relief. Mt. Kilimanjaro has a considerably lower mean temperature due to its high elevation.
(iii) The Equatorial region is also called the 'Lungs of the World'.
Answer: The dense Tropical Rainforests act as a giant machine that absorbs a massive amount of carbon dioxide and produces life-sustaining oxygen.

(d) Discuss briefly the type of natural vegetation found in the Tropical Rainforests.
Answer: The vegetation consists of dense, thick, and luxuriant evergreen forests with broad leaves. It shows four distinct vertical layers: emergent layer, canopy, understorey, and forest floor. Common trees include ebony, mahogany, rubber, and rosewood.

2. (a) State the location and extent of Tropical Grasslands.
Answer: They are located in semi-arid to semi-humid regions lying roughly between 7° to 20° North and South of the Equator.

(b) Name the two distinct regions of 'Savanna' in South America.
Answer: The Llanos of the Orinoco Basin and the Campos of the Brazilian Highlands.

(c) Give a geographical reason for each of the following:
(i) Deciduous trees shed their leaves in the dry season.
Answer: They shed their leaves to prevent excessive loss of water and preserve moisture during the dry season.
(ii) The Savannas are called the 'natural cattle country'.
Answer: Because the tall grasses provide ample feed for large herds of cattle, making pastoralism and cattle ranching dominant economic activities.
(iii) Tropical grasslands have great potential for the cultivation of plantation crops.
Answer: They receive an adequate 30 inches of annual rainfall and lack severe cold, creating ideal conditions for cultivating crops like cotton, coffee, sugarcane, and groundnuts.

(d) Give a brief account of rainforests together with their location and types of trees.
Answer: Rainforests occupy low altitude areas near the Equator, specifically in the Amazon Basin, Zaire Basin, and Indo-Malay peninsula. They are incredibly dense and multi-layered. Key trees include mahogany, ebony, cinchona, rosewood, and rubber.

3. (a) State the location of Tropical Deserts. Name the two primitive tribes which inhabit Tropical Deserts.
Answer: Tropical Deserts are located between 15° to 30° North and South Latitudes on the western margins of continents. Two primitive tribes living there are the Bushmen of the Kalahari and the Bindibu of Australia.

(b) Describe briefly the Tropical Monsoon type of climate.
Answer: It features hot summers and cool winters with distinct seasons. It is primarily characterized by wet onshore monsoons bringing heavy summer rain and dry offshore monsoons during the winter.

(c) Give a reason for each of the following:
(i) In the Tropical Desert climate region, Trade Winds are dry.
Answer: These winds blow from east to west, shedding their moisture on the eastern margins of continents. By the time they reach the western margins where deserts lie, they become completely dry.
(ii) In the Indian subcontinent, there are three distinct seasons.
Answer: This is caused by the differential heating of land and sea, producing a hot dry season, a rainy season driven by onshore winds, and a cool dry season driven by offshore winds.
(iii) Agriculture is the chief occupation in the monsoon region.
Answer: The seasonal abundance of natural rainfall and a massive available labor force make the region highly suitable for intensive agriculture.

(d) State the chief characteristics of the Mediterranean type of climate.
Answer: It is characterized by warm, dry summers and cool, moderately wet winters. Rainfall is primarily brought by the Westerly winds during the winter months.

4. (a) How are the Temperate Grasslands different from the Tropical Savannas?
Answer: Temperate Grasslands are located in mid-latitudes, have short soft grasses, experience severe cold winters, and are virtually treeless. Tropical Savannas are near the equator, feature tall coarse grass with scattered short trees, and experience a hot climate year-round.

(b) State the locational extent of the Taiga and Tundra region.
Answer: The Taiga region lies between 55° and 70° North. The Tundra region lies roughly beyond 65° North, extending further poleward past the Taiga.

(c) Give a geographical reason for each of the following:
(i) In the Mediterranean region of Europe, winds blow deep inside the land.
Answer: The considerable East-West extent of the Mediterranean Sea allows the westerly winds to penetrate deep into the Afro-Asian landmass.
(ii) The Taiga region is sparsely populated.
Answer: The climate is incredibly harsh, characterized by extremely severe and long winters with heavy snow, making large-scale agriculture and easy habitation impossible.
(iii) There are no trees in the Tundra Region.
Answer: The climate is intensely cold with an extremely short growing season of only three months, allowing only hardy plants like mosses and lichens to survive.

(d) What type of climate is found in the north-western part of Europe? State briefly the human response to this type of climate.
Answer: The Taiga (Cool Temperate Continental or Siberian) type of climate is found in northern parts like Finland, Sweden, and Norway. Because farming is severely restricted by snow and cold, human adaptation focuses heavily on the lumbering of softwood for furniture, paper, and pulp industries.

---

V. Thinking Skills

1. What do you think is the advantage of dividing the world into natural regions? Give reasons to support your answer.
Answer: Dividing the world into natural regions simplifies the geographic study of our planet. Since areas within a specific natural region share uniform climates, soil types, vegetation, and wildlife, it becomes easier to understand global environmental patterns, predict agricultural capabilities, and study how humans adapt to specific environmental constraints across different continents.

2. In which natural region of the world is India located? Which characteristic features of this type of natural region are found in India?
Answer: India is located primarily in the Tropical Monsoon Type Climate region. Characteristic features found in India include distinct hot, wet, and cool seasons driven by the reversal of monsoon winds. The region boasts Tropical Deciduous vegetation (like teak and bamboo) and a massive agricultural economy highly dependent on seasonal summer rainfall.

---

VI. Map Work/Project Work

On an outline map of the world, mark one region each with (i) Monsoon Type; (ii) Tropical Hot Desert Type; and (iii) Equatorial Type climate.
Answer: (Instructions for Students: Use a physical world map to mark regions such as the Indian Subcontinent for (i) Monsoon Type; the Sahara Desert in North Africa for (ii) Tropical Hot Desert Type; and the Amazon Basin in South America for (iii) Equatorial Type climate.)