What landforms are? Mention different types of landforms.

Landforms are natural features or shapes on the Earth's surface like mountains, valleys, plateaus, and plains. They are formed by natural processes such as erosion, weathering, earthquakes, and volcanic activity. A landform is a physical feature of the Earth’s surface. 

Landforms can be big like mountains and oceans, or small like hills and sand dunes. They give shape to our planet and can be found everywhere – on land, underwater, or on other planets too.

How Are Landforms Formed?

Landforms are created by natural forces such as:

• Internal processes like volcanic eruptions and movements of the Earth's plates (plate tectonics)
• External processes like wind, water, ice, and human activities that erode or deposit materials over time

Main Types of Landforms

Here are the main types of landforms on Earth:

1. Mountains

Mountains are high, steep landforms that rise above the surrounding land. They are formed by the movement of tectonic plates or volcanic activity.

• Example: Himalayas, Andes
• Types: Fold mountains, block mountains, volcanic mountains

2. Plateaus

A plateau is a flat-topped landform that is higher than the surrounding area. It may have one or more steep sides and is sometimes called a tableland.

• Example: Deccan Plateau, Colorado Plateau

3. Plains

Plains are large, flat, or gently rolling areas of land. They are usually very fertile and are good for farming and settlement.

• Example: Indo-Gangetic Plains, Great Plains of USA

4. Hills

Hills are landforms that rise above the surrounding land but are lower and less steep than mountains.

• Example: Nilgiri Hills, Aravalli Hills

5. Valleys

Valleys are low areas between hills or mountains, often with a river flowing through them.

• Example: Kashmir Valley, Nile Valley

6. Deserts

Deserts are dry and sandy areas that receive very little rainfall. They often have sand dunes as landforms.

• Example: Thar Desert, Sahara Desert

7. Deltas

A delta is a landform made of sediment that is deposited where a river flows into an ocean or sea.

• Example: Sundarban Delta, Nile Delta

8. Islands

Islands are landforms surrounded by water on all sides.

• Example: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Hawaii

Why Are Landforms Important?

• They affect climate, vegetation, and lifestyle of people
• Help in farming, tourism, and settlement
• Provide natural resources like minerals, water, and forests