This article explains political and physical divisions of the world and India.
You learn these facts for your JKSSB exam.
Read them carefully and remember them.
Simple Definitions
Political division means people draw borders to make countries, states, or territories.
Physical division means nature makes land features like mountains or plains.
Political Divisions of the World
A country is a land area with its own government and borders.
A capital is the main city where the government offices sit.
Continents of the world
People divide the world into 7 continents.
- Asia
- Africa
- Europe
- North America
- South America
- Antarctica
- Australia
Important countries and their capitals
Exams ask these often.
- India → New Delhi
- China → Beijing
- United States of America → Washington D.C.
- Russia → Moscow
- Pakistan → Islamabad
- Bangladesh → Dhaka
- Nepal → Kathmandu
- Bhutan → Thimphu
- Sri Lanka → Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
- Afghanistan → Kabul
- United Kingdom → London
- France → Paris
- Japan → Tokyo
- Australia → Canberra
- Brazil → Brasilia
Political Divisions of India
A state is a large part of India that has its own government.
A union territory (UT) is a smaller area that the central government controls directly.
India has 28 states.
India has 8 union territories.
Capitals of important states and UTs
| State / Union Territory | Capital |
|---|---|
| Jammu and Kashmir (UT) | Srinagar (summer), Jammu (winter) |
| Ladakh (UT) | Leh |
| Delhi (UT) | New Delhi |
| Uttar Pradesh | Lucknow |
| Maharashtra | Mumbai |
| Bihar | Patna |
| Rajasthan | Jaipur |
| Punjab | Chandigarh |
| Kerala | Thiruvananthapuram |
| Tamil Nadu | Chennai |
| Andhra Pradesh | Amaravati |
| Andaman and Nicobar Islands (UT) | Port Blair |
| Lakshadweep (UT) | Kavaratti |
| Puducherry (UT) | Puducherry |
Physical Divisions of the World
Physical divisions are natural land features that nature creates.
Mountains are very high lands with peaks. Example: Himalayas (Asia), Andes (South America).
Plains are flat low lands. Example: Great Plains (North America).
Plateaus are high flat lands. Example: Tibetan Plateau (Asia).
Deserts are dry areas with little rain and sand. Example: Sahara Desert (Africa).
Oceans are huge bodies of salt water. The world has 5 oceans: Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, Arctic.
Physical Divisions of India
Himalayan mountains
These high mountains stand in the north.
They block cold winds.
Snow covers the peaks.
Northern plains
Rivers like Ganga make these flat lands.
Soil is very fertile.
People grow lots of crops here.
Peninsular plateau
This old rocky area sits in the south.
It holds many minerals.
Hills surround it.
Indian desert
People call it Thar Desert.
It lies in Rajasthan.
It is hot and sandy with little rain.
Coastal plains
Narrow lands run along the sea.
Eastern coast lies near Bay of Bengal.
Western coast lies near Arabian Sea.
Islands
India has two main island groups.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands sit in Bay of Bengal.
Lakshadweep Islands sit in Arabian Sea.
Daily Life Examples
Mountains in Jammu and Kashmir make winters very cold. People wear warm clothes and grow apples.
Northern plains give rich soil. Farmers in Punjab and Haryana grow wheat and rice easily.
Indian desert in Rajasthan gets little rain. People there use camels and save water carefully.
Coastal plains give fish. People in Kerala eat a lot of seafood.
Important Exam Facts
- World has 7 continents.
- Largest continent is Asia.
- India has 28 states and 8 union territories.
- Capital of India is New Delhi.
- Jammu and Kashmir has two capitals: Srinagar (summer) and Jammu (winter).
- World has 5 oceans.
- Largest ocean is Pacific.
- Highest mountain range is Himalayas.
- Largest desert in world is Sahara.
- Indian desert is Thar.
Expected Exam Questions
1. How many continents are there in the world?
a) 6 b) 7 c) 8 d) 9
Answer: b) 7
2. What is the capital of India?
a) Mumbai b) New Delhi c) Kolkata d) Chennai
Answer: b) New Delhi
3. How many states does India have?
a) 27 b) 28 c) 29 d) 30
Answer: b) 28
4. Which is the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir?
a) Jammu b) Leh c) Srinagar d) Delhi
Answer: c) Srinagar
5. Name the largest ocean in the world.
a) Atlantic b) Indian c) Pacific d) Arctic
Answer: c) Pacific
6. Which physical division of India is very fertile for farming?
a) Himalayas b) Northern plains c) Thar Desert d) Islands
Answer: b) Northern plains
7. How many union territories does India have?
a) 7 b) 8 c) 9 d) 10
Answer: b) 8
One Liner Revision
- World: 7 continents, 5 oceans.
- India: 28 states, 8 UTs.
- India capital: New Delhi.
- Jammu and Kashmir capitals: Srinagar (summer), Jammu (winter).
- North India: Himalayas and Northern plains.
- South India: Peninsular plateau.
- West India: Thar Desert.
- Coasts: Eastern and Western coastal plains.
- Islands: Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep.
Short Summary
World divides into 7 continents and 5 oceans naturally and politically.
India has 28 states and 8 union territories with capitals.
Physical parts include Himalayas, plains, plateau, desert, coasts, islands.
These affect weather, farming, and daily life.
Remember numbers, names, and examples for exam.
