Answer :
Answer:
Explanation:
The Northern Hilly Region and Western Plateau Region of India exhibit several differences in terms of their geographical features, climate, vegetation, and socio-economic aspects. Here are some key differences between the two regions:
1. **Geographical Features:**
- Northern Hilly Region: Characterized by the presence of the Himalayan mountain range, including the Greater Himalayas, Lesser Himalayas, and Outer Himalayas. This region includes states like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and parts of Northeast India.
- Western Plateau Region: Comprises the Deccan Plateau, which is a large elevated landmass covering parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. It is characterized by flat-topped hills, plateaus, and valleys.
2. **Altitude and Elevation:**
- Northern Hilly Region: Has higher altitudes due to the presence of the Himalayan mountain range, with several peaks exceeding 7,000 meters in height, including Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world.
- Western Plateau Region: Generally has lower elevations compared to the Northern Hilly Region, with plateaus and hills ranging from 300 to 1,000 meters above sea level.
3. **Climate:**
- Northern Hilly Region: Exhibits diverse climatic conditions, ranging from alpine climates in the higher altitudes to temperate and subtropical climates in the lower regions. It experiences heavy snowfall during winters and moderate to heavy rainfall during the monsoon season.
- Western Plateau Region: Typically experiences a semi-arid to tropical climate, characterized by hot and dry summers and relatively mild winters. Rainfall is less abundant compared to the Northern Hilly Region, with some areas experiencing drought conditions.
4. **Vegetation:**
- Northern Hilly Region: Supports a variety of vegetation zones, including temperate forests, alpine meadows, and subalpine and alpine vegetation at higher elevations. It is rich in biodiversity, with diverse flora and fauna.
- Western Plateau Region: Vegetation in this region is predominantly dry deciduous forests, thorn forests, and scrublands. It is less diverse compared to the Northern Hilly Region due to lower rainfall and arid conditions.
5. **Socio-Economic Aspects:**
- Northern Hilly Region: Primarily rural and agrarian economies, with agriculture, horticulture, and animal husbandry being the main sources of livelihood. Tourism also plays a significant role in the economy due to the region's scenic beauty and cultural heritage.
- Western Plateau Region: More urbanized and industrialized compared to the Northern Hilly Region, with cities like Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, and Bangalore serving as major economic centers. Agriculture, mining, and industries such as IT, manufacturing, and services contribute to the economy.
These are some of the key differences between the Northern Hilly Region and Western Plateau Region of India, highlighting their unique geographical, climatic, and socio-economic characteristics.