NCERT Solutions for Chapter 1-World Geography: Some Glimpses Class 8 Subject Social Science
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The Big Questions:
1. What are the unique physical features of the continents?
Answer:
- Continents have different landforms such as mountains, plateaus, plains, deserts, grasslands, rivers, and forests.
- Asia has the Tibetan Plateau, Gobi Desert, Steppes, and Ural Mountains.
- Africa is known for the Sahara Desert, African Savannah, and the River Nile.
- South America has the Andes Mountains, Amazon Rainforest, Amazon River, and Atacama Desert.
- North America has the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Plateau, Great Lakes, and Appalachian Mountains.
- Australia is famous for the Great Australian Desert and the Great Barrier Reef.
- Antarctica is the largest cold desert, covered with ice and glaciers.
2. Why do we need to understand world geography?
Answer:
- It helps us understand the Earth's physical features and natural processes.
- It explains how landforms and water bodies influence climate, ecosystems, and human life.
- It helps us understand the distribution of resources, agriculture, trade, and settlements.
- It increases awareness about environmental problems like pollution, deforestation, and climate change.
- It encourages the wise use and conservation of natural resources for sustainable development.
3. How do human actions trigger environmental issues?
Answer:
- Deforestation destroys forests and wildlife habitats.
- Pollution harms oceans, rivers, coral reefs, and other ecosystems.
- Overuse of natural resources leads to environmental degradation.
- Human activities contribute to desertification and loss of biodiversity.
- Greenhouse gas emissions cause global warming and climate change.
- Human actions disturb the natural balance of ecosystems, affecting both nature and human life.
Questions and activities:
1. Why do all map projections have some amount of distortion?
- The Earth is an oblate spheroid, while maps are drawn on a flat surface.
- It is impossible to flatten the Earth's curved surface without changing its shape, size, distance, or direction.
- Therefore, every map projection has some distortion and represents a compromise between accuracy and usefulness.
- The Tibetan Plateau is the highest and largest plateau in the world, with an average height of over 4,500 metres above sea level.
- It was formed by the collision of the Indo-Australian and Eurasian tectonic plates.
- It is called the 'Third Pole' because it contains the largest reserve of freshwater outside the polar regions.
- It is the source of major rivers such as the Indus, Brahmaputra, and Yangtze, and plays an important role in influencing the climate of Asia.
- Coral reefs support about one-quarter of all ocean species, including fish, crabs, turtles, and sponges.
- They provide food, shelter, and breeding grounds for a wide variety of marine life.
- Due to their rich biodiversity, they are known as the 'rainforests of the sea'.
- Oceans absorb and store heat from the Sun, helping to control the Earth's temperature.
- They slowly release heat, reducing extreme weather conditions.
- Oceans add moisture to the atmosphere, leading to cloud formation and rainfall.
- Ocean currents transport warm and cold water, influencing the climate of coastal regions.
- For example, the Gulf Stream keeps Western Europe warmer than other places at the same latitude.
- The Great Barrier Reef is mainly threatened by human activities.
- Overfishing, pollution, and climate change damage coral reefs.
- Changes in the chemical composition of ocean water, largely caused by human actions, lead to coral bleaching and death, destroying marine habitats.
6. Why is the Amazon Rainforest often called the ‘Lungs of the Earth’?
- The Amazon Rainforest is one of the largest forests in the world and supports rich biodiversity.
- It absorbs carbon dioxide and helps maintain the balance of gases in the atmosphere.
- It plays an important role in regulating the Earth's climate and is therefore called the ‘Lungs of the Earth’.
7. Choose two different types of geographical features you have explored in this chapter. Write short paragraphs on how they influence the flora and fauna or human lives in that area. Do they also have an implication for the whole globe?
(i) Mountains – The Andes Mountains
The Andes Mountains are a major source of freshwater and feed important rivers like the Amazon. They are home to thousands of unique plants and animals and contain valuable minerals such as copper, silver, and lithium. They also influence climate and support the livelihoods of millions of people. Protecting the Andes helps conserve global biodiversity and freshwater resources.
(ii) Rainforest – Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon Rainforest is home to hundreds of plant and animal species and nearly 400 indigenous communities. It absorbs carbon dioxide, helps regulate the global climate, and supports the world's largest river system. Deforestation and climate change threaten this valuable ecosystem, making its protection important for the whole world.
8. Discuss how oceans influence climate and trade. Use examples from the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
- Oceans absorb and store heat, helping regulate the Earth's climate.
- They release moisture into the atmosphere, leading to cloud formation and rainfall.
- Ocean currents influence the temperature of coastal regions.
- The Indian Ocean has warm waters, supports rich biodiversity, and has been important for international trade for centuries.
- The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest ocean, supports rich marine life, and is an important route for global trade and transport.
9. Choose one environmental issue (Deforestation) and explain its causes, impacts, and possible solutions.
Environmental Issue: Deforestation
Causes
- Cutting forests for agriculture and development.
- Excessive use of forest resources.
- Climate change and human activities.
Impacts
- Loss of biodiversity and wildlife habitats.
- Increase in carbon dioxide, leading to global warming.
- Disturbance of rainfall patterns and climate.
Possible Solutions
- Afforestation and reforestation.
- Sustainable use of forests.
- Strict laws against illegal tree cutting.
- Protecting indigenous communities and wildlife.
I would choose the Himalayan Mountains.
- They are the source of many major rivers.
- They provide freshwater for millions of people.
- They are home to rich biodiversity and unique wildlife.
- They influence the climate and monsoon of India.
- Protecting the Himalayas will reduce natural disasters, conserve biodiversity, and ensure water security for future generations.
11. Imagine that someone is funding a group of you for a road trip across two continents. Which two would you choose and why?
I would choose Asia and Africa.
- Asia offers diverse landscapes such as the Tibetan Plateau, Gobi Desert, Ural Mountains, and rich cultures.
- Africa has the Sahara Desert, African Savannah, and the River Nile with amazing wildlife and historical importance.
- The journey would help us understand different climates, landforms, flora, fauna, and human lifestyles.
- It would also teach us about conservation, biodiversity, and sustainable use of natural resources.
- This trip would provide both educational and cultural experiences while showing the importance of protecting the Earth's environment.
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