Geography of Maharashtra
Overview
Maharashtra is India's third-largest state by area (307,713 sq km) and second-largest by population. For MAHA TET Paper II Social Studies, questions on Maharashtra's geography test your knowledge of its physical divisions, major rivers, climate patterns, and natural resources. This topic connects directly to Environmental Studies themes and often appears alongside questions on Maharashtra's economy and culture.
Candidates must visualise Maharashtra's location (western India, bounded by Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Karnataka, Goa, and the Arabian Sea) and understand how its physical features influence agriculture, settlement, and livelihoods. Expect 2–4 questions covering relief features, river systems, rainfall distribution, and mineral/forest resources.
Key Concepts
- **Three major physical divisions**: Maharashtra is divided into the Konkan coastal plain (west), the Sahyadri mountain range (Western Ghats), and the Deccan Plateau (east). Each has distinct landforms, soil, and climate.
- **Western Ghats (Sahyadri)**: A continuous mountain range running north-south along the western edge; average height 1,000–1,200 m. Key peaks include Kalsubai (1,646 m, highest in Maharashtra), Salher, Harishchandragad, and Mahabaleshwar.
- **Deccan Plateau**: Covers most of eastern Maharashtra; composed of Deccan Trap basalt from ancient lava flows. Characterised by flat-topped hills, black (regur) soil ideal for cotton, and low rainfall.