The 'Ghats' refer to the Western and Eastern Ghats, two mountain ranges lining India's west and east coasts respectively, which play crucial roles in biodiversity and climatic patterns like monsoon rains.
The term 'Ghats' refers to the low-lying mountain ranges located along India's east and west coasts. The Western Ghats, also known as the Sahyadri Mountain range, run parallel to India's western coast, the Malabar Coast. These ranges reach elevations up to 8,000 feet and average around 3,000 feet, harboring rich biodiversity and are known for extensive coffee and tea plantations.
The Eastern Ghats are a discontinuous range of mountains along India's eastern coast, less elevated than their western counterparts but similar in physical characteristics. Both ranges are important for their ecosystems, climatic influence, and as a source for rivers that are vital to the agrarian landscapes below.
The Deccan Plateau is located between the Eastern and Western Ghats, contributing to the unique geographical divisions in India. Covering central parts of the country, it is an elevated flatland known for its rich black soil derived from volcanic lava flows. The ghats and this plateau form significant physical features influencing climate patterns, such as the monsoon rains, which bring about 52 inches of rain annually to regions like the Chota-Nagpur Plateau, enhancing its biodiversity.