Introduction
India is a peninsula, which means it is surrounded by water on three sides.
- The Arabian Sea lies to the west.
- The Bay of Bengal lies to the east.
- The Indian Ocean lies to the south.
The narrow strips of land along the sea are called the Coastal Plains.
India also has two important groups of islands:
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Lakshadweep Islands
1. What are Coastal Plains?
The Coastal Plains are flat lands lying along the sea coast.
They are divided into two parts:
- Western Coastal Plains
- Eastern Coastal Plains
These plains are important for:
- Fishing
- Farming
- Trade
- Tourism
- Ports
2. Western Coastal Plains
The Western Coastal Plains lie between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea.
They are narrow because the Western Ghats are close to the sea.
Features
- Narrow coastal strip
- Many beaches
- Many ports
- Heavy rainfall
- Coconut trees grow well
- Beautiful backwaters in Kerala
States on the Western Coast
- Gujarat
- Maharashtra
- Goa
- Karnataka
- Kerala
3. Gujarat
Gujarat is the westernmost coastal state of India.
Capital
Gandhinagar
Important Cities
- Ahmedabad
- Surat
- Rajkot
Features
- Long coastline
- Many ports
- Famous for salt production
- Gir National Park is home to the Asiatic Lion.
Main Occupations
- Fishing
- Trade
- Farming
- Salt making
- Textile industry
Famous Foods
- Dhokla
- Thepla
- Fafda
Festivals
- Navratri
- Uttarayan (Kite Festival)
4. Maharashtra
Capital
Mumbai
Mumbai is called the Financial Capital of India.
Features
- Long coastline
- Busy ports
- Many industries
- Bollywood film industry
Main Occupations
- Fishing
- Trade
- Industries
- Farming
Famous Places
- Gateway of India
- Marine Drive
- Elephanta Caves
Festivals
- Ganesh Chaturthi
5. Goa
Goa is India's smallest state by area.
Capital
Panaji
Features
- Beautiful beaches
- Coconut trees
- Tourist destination
Main Occupations
- Tourism
- Fishing
- Farming
Famous Beaches
- Calangute
- Baga
- Anjuna
Festivals
- Goa Carnival
- Christmas
6. Karnataka
Capital
Bengaluru
Coastal City
Mangaluru
Features
- Beautiful beaches
- Coffee plantations in the hills
- Important ports
Main Occupations
- Fishing
- Farming
- Information Technology
- Trade
Famous Food
- Neer Dosa
- Bisi Bele Bath
7. Kerala
Capital
Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala is called "God's Own Country."
Features
- Backwaters
- Lagoons
- Coconut trees
- Spice plantations
Main Occupations
- Fishing
- Farming
- Tourism
- Spice cultivation
Famous Crops
- Coconut
- Pepper
- Cardamom
- Rubber
Festivals
- Onam
- Vishu
8. What are Lagoons?
A lagoon is a shallow water body separated from the sea by a narrow strip of land or sand.
Famous Lagoons
- Vembanad Lake (Kerala)
- Chilika Lake (Odisha)
Importance
- Fishing
- Boating
- Tourism
- Home to many birds
9. Eastern Coastal Plains
The Eastern Coastal Plains lie between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal.
They are wider than the Western Coastal Plains.
Features
- Broad and flat
- Large river deltas
- Fertile soil
- Good for farming
- Many ports
States on the Eastern Coast
- West Bengal
- Odisha
- Andhra Pradesh
- Tamil Nadu
Note: Telangana is not a coastal state. It is an inland state that was formed from Andhra Pradesh in 2014. Although it does not have a coastline, it is often studied along with Andhra Pradesh because of their shared history.
10. West Bengal
Capital
Kolkata
Features
- Sundarbans Delta
- Hooghly River
- Kolkata Port
Main Occupations
- Farming
- Fishing
- Trade
Famous Festival
- Durga Puja
11. Telangana
Capital
Hyderabad
Features
- Inland state (no sea coast)
- Famous for information technology and industries
- Rich cultural heritage
Main Occupations
- Farming
- IT
- Business
Famous Food
- Hyderabadi Biryani
12. Andhra Pradesh
Capital
Amaravati (administrative development continues; different government functions operate from different cities)
Features
- Long coastline
- Many fishing villages
- Krishna and Godavari river deltas
Main Occupations
- Fishing
- Rice farming
- Trade
Famous Places
- Visakhapatnam
- Tirupati
13. Tamil Nadu
Capital
Chennai
Features
- Long coastline
- Important ports
- Marina Beach (one of the longest urban beaches in the world)
Main Occupations
- Fishing
- Farming
- Industries
Famous Temples
- Meenakshi Temple
- Brihadeeswarar Temple
Festivals
- Pongal
14. Life of the People in the Coastal Plains
People living in the coastal plains depend on the sea.
Main Occupations
- Fishing
- Farming
- Trade
- Tourism
- Boat making
Crops Grown
- Rice
- Coconut
- Banana
- Cashew
- Spices
- Sugarcane
Houses
Many houses have:
- Sloping roofs
- Strong walls
- Good ventilation
These protect them from heavy rainfall.
Food
People eat:
- Rice
- Fish
- Coconut
- Vegetables
- Seafood
Clothing
People generally wear light cotton clothes because the weather is warm and humid.
15. The Islands of India
India has many islands.
The two main island groups are:
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Lakshadweep Islands
16. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
These islands are located in the Bay of Bengal.
Capital
Port Blair
Features
- Dense forests
- Beautiful beaches
- Coral reefs
- Active volcano on Barren Island
Famous Places
- Cellular Jail
- Radhanagar Beach
Occupations
- Fishing
- Tourism
- Coconut farming
Plants and Animals
The islands are rich in:
- Mangrove forests
- Tropical trees
- Colourful birds
- Sea turtles
- Dolphins
17. Lakshadweep Islands
These islands are located in the Arabian Sea.
Lakshadweep is India's smallest Union Territory.
Capital
Kavaratti
Features
- Coral islands
- Blue lagoons
- White sandy beaches
- Coconut trees
Occupations
- Fishing
- Coconut farming
- Tourism
Coral Reefs
Coral reefs are underwater structures built by tiny sea animals called corals.
They provide homes for many colourful fish and other sea creatures.
18. Life in the Islands
People living on the islands enjoy a peaceful life close to nature.
Main Occupations
- Fishing
- Coconut farming
- Tourism
- Handicrafts
Food
People mainly eat:
- Rice
- Fish
- Coconut
- Fruits
Houses
Houses are built to:
- Stay cool
- Withstand heavy rain and sea winds
Transport
People travel by:
- Boats
- Ships
- Ferries
- Aeroplanes
Communication
Modern facilities include:
- Mobile phones
- Internet
- Television
- Radio
Importance of Coastal Plains
The Coastal Plains are important because they:
- Have major ports
- Support fishing industries
- Help in trade with other countries
- Attract tourists
- Grow crops like rice and coconut
- Provide beautiful beaches
Importance of Islands
The islands are important because they:
- Protect India's coastline
- Support tourism
- Have rich marine life
- Help in fishing
- Are home to unique plants and animals
Key Terms
Word
Meaning
Peninsula
Land surrounded by water on three sides
Coastal Plain
Flat land along the sea coast
Lagoon
A shallow water body separated from the sea by a narrow strip of land
Delta
Land formed by rivers depositing soil near their mouths
Port
A place where ships load and unload goods and passengers
Coral Reef
An underwater structure formed by tiny sea animals called corals
Island
Land completely surrounded by water
Backwaters
Calm waterways found near the sea, especially in Kerala
Summary
- India has Western and Eastern Coastal Plains.
- The Western Coastal Plains include Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, and Kerala.
- The Eastern Coastal Plains include West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
- Telangana is an inland state and does not have a coastline.
- Lagoons are shallow water bodies separated from the sea by a narrow strip of land.
- Fishing, farming, tourism, and trade are the main occupations in coastal areas.
- India's two main island groups are the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Lakshadweep Islands.
- Island life depends mainly on fishing, coconut farming, and tourism.
Quick Revision
Remember
- India is a peninsula.
- The Arabian Sea is on the west.
- The Bay of Bengal is on the east.
- The Indian Ocean is on the south.
- The Western Coastal Plains are narrow.
- The Eastern Coastal Plains are wider.
- Kerala is famous for its backwaters and lagoons.
- Mumbai is India's Financial Capital.
- Goa is famous for its beaches.
- West Bengal is home to the Sundarbans Delta.
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands are in the Bay of Bengal.
- Lakshadweep Islands are in the Arabian Sea.
Practice Questions
A. Fill in the Blanks
- India is a __________ surrounded by water on three sides.
- The __________ Sea lies to the west of India.
- The __________ Coastal Plains are wider than the Western Coastal Plains.
- Kerala is famous for its __________ and backwaters.
- Mumbai is the capital of __________.
- The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are located in the __________.
- Lakshadweep is located in the __________.
- Fishing is an important occupation in the __________ plains and islands.
B. Answer in One Sentence
- What are coastal plains?
- What is a lagoon?
- Name the states on the western coast of India.
- Name two states on the eastern coast.
- Where are the Andaman and Nicobar Islands located?
- Where is Lakshadweep located?
- Name two occupations of people living in the coastal plains.
C. Long Answer Questions
- Describe the Western Coastal Plains and name the states located there.
- Explain the features of the Eastern Coastal Plains.
- Write a short note on Kerala and its lagoons.
- Describe the life of the people living in the coastal plains.
- Compare the Andaman and Nicobar Islands with the Lakshadweep Islands.
- Explain the lifestyle of the people living on the islands.
Did You Know?
- Chilika Lake in Odisha is India's largest coastal lagoon and an important home for migratory birds.
- The Sundarbans in West Bengal is the world's largest mangrove forest and is famous for the Royal Bengal Tiger.
- Barren Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is the only active volcano in India.
- Lakshadweep consists of beautiful coral islands surrounded by clear blue lagoons and is one of India's most popular destinations for snorkeling and scuba diving.