Location:
- Himachal Pradesh lies in the Western Himalaya. It extends between latitudes 30°22’ N to 33°12’ N and longitudes 75°47’ E to 79°04’ E. The state shares boundaries with Jammu and Kashmir & Ladakh in the north, Punjab in the west, Haryana in the southwest, Uttarakhand in the southeast, and Tibet (China) in the east.
Physiographic Division:
The state can be divided into four major physical divisions – Shivalik Hills, Lesser Himalaya, Greater Himalaya, and Trans-Himalaya.( For more Details:https://geohimachal.com/physiographic-division-of-himachal-pradesh/)
Detail map of Physiographic Division of Himalaya
1. Shivalik Hills (Outer Himalaya):
- Found along the border with Punjab and parts of Haryana.
- Average height: 800 m to 1200 m.
- Prominent in Una, Hamirpur, Kangra (lower parts), Bilaspur, Solan, and Sirmaur.
- Not present in Shimla, Kullu, Kinnaur, and Lahaul-Spiti.
- Made of young sedimentary rocks like conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone, mudstone.
- Subject to erosion, with many seasonal gullies locally called Choos.
- Important ranges: Hathi Dhar, Sikander Dhar, Paprola Dhar.
- Locally called Manak Parbat or Tresses of Shiva.
- Una and Hamirpur lie entirely within this zone.
2. Lesser Himalaya (Middle Himalaya):
- Main ranges: Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal.
- Dhauladhar Range runs across Kangra and extends from Kinnaur to Chamba.
- Crossed by major rivers: Satluj at Rampur, Beas at Larji, Ravi near Dalhousie.
- Pir Panjal Range is higher than Dhauladhar.
- Enters Himachal from Pangi Valley (Chamba).
- Forms boundary between Chamba–Lahaul and Kullu–Lahaul.
- The two ranges meet at Barabhangal.
- Pir Panjal merges with the Greater Himalaya near Rohtang Pass.
3. Greater Himalaya (Himadri):
- Highest mountain zone of Himachal.
- Average height: above 5000 m.
- Includes peaks, glaciers, and snow-clad ranges.
- Important ranges: Zanskar Range, Great Himalayan Range.
- Contains high passes like Rohtang Pass, Kunzum Pass, and Shipki La.
4. Trans-Himalaya (Cold Desert):
- Covers Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur.
- High altitude desert region, very cold and arid.
- Average elevation: 3000 m to 5000 m.
- Sparse vegetation, barren landscape.
- Linked culturally and geographically with Tibet.
Drainage System:
- Major rivers: Satluj, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, Yamuna.
- Most rivers are snow-fed and perennial.
- They carve deep gorges and valleys through the ranges.
Climate:
- Varies with altitude.
- Shivalik: Sub-tropical.
- Middle Himalaya: Temperate.
- Greater Himalaya and Trans-Himalaya: Alpine to Glacial.
- Receives rainfall mainly from Southwest Monsoon, but Lahaul-Spiti remains dry.