PLATEAUS (LANDFORM OF EARTH )

Plateaus .....

A plateau is an elevated flat land. It is

a flat-topped table land standing

above the surrounding area. A

plateau may have one or more sides

with steep slopes. The height of

plateaus often varies from few

hundred metres to several thousand

metres. Plateaus, like mountains may

be young or old. The Deccan plateau

in India is one of the oldest plateaus.

The East African Plateau in Kenya,

Tanzania and Uganda and the

Western plateau of Australia are other

examples.

The Tibet plateau  is the

highest plateau in the world with a height of 4,000 to

6,000 metres above the mean sea level.

Plateaus are very useful because they are rich in

mineral deposits. As a result, many of the mining areas

in the world are located in the plateau areas.

The African plateau is famous for gold and diamond mining. In India huge reserves of

iron, coal and manganese are found in the Chhotanagpur plateau.

In the plateau areas, there may be several waterfalls as the river falls from a

great height. In India, the Hundru falls in the Chhotanagpur plateau on the river

Subarnarekha and the Jog falls in Karnataka are examples of such waterfalls.

The lava plateaus are rich in black soil that are fertile and good for cultivation.

Many plateaus have scenic spots and are of great attraction to tourists.