Himachal Pradesh Geography

Himachal Pradesh is situated in the North-West corner of India in Western Himalayas. it is spread over an area of 55673 sq km.
Himachal literally means ‘Land of snowy mountains’. Himachal Pradesh popularly called ‘Adobe of God’, Devbhoomi , the Fruit bowl of India,the apple state of India.
It was also known as a Jallandhara in ancient India.Jallandhara consist Jalam+Dhara(that which hold water) because four main rivers passess through Himachal Pradesh.
Himachal Pradesh is surrounded by Jammu&Kashmir in north,Tibet in north east, Uttarakhand in south east,Haryana in south and Punjab in west.its altitude varies from 350-7000.
There is general increase in elevation from west to east and from south to north.
The geographical area of Himachal Pradesh (55,673 sq km) accounts for 1.7% of the total area of India. In terms of area Himachal Pradesh is the 18^th state of India. As per 2011 census the population of Himachal Pradesh is 68,64,602 which constitute 0.57% of total population of India.
Shimla is the first capital and Dharamshala is the second winter capital of Himachal Pradesh as declared on 19^th January 2017.For administrative Purpose, Himachal Pradesh is divided into 12 districts.

1) The Lower Hills or Outer Himalayas(Shivaliks)

The altitude of this zone ranges from 300m to 1500m above the mean sea level.
This zone is also called the Shivalik. Shivalik literally means the ‘Tresses of Shiva’ and to the ancient geographers Shivalik Hills were known as the ‘Mainak Parvat’.
The hills of this range contain loose rocks and soils which are prone to erosion and deforestation,which results in the formation of chos or gullies.
Rainfall range is 150cm to 180cm in this zone.
These hills comprises the district Bilaspur,Hamripur,Kangra, Una and lower part of mandi(JoginderNagar,Balh Valley), Sirmour(Paonta valley,Nahan,Pachhad and Renuka) and Solan district.
Churdhar or Choor Chandni(3647 m) in Sirmour is the highest peak of Shivalik range.

2) The Lesser or Inner Himalayas (Central Zone)

This range occupies the central part of Himachal Pradesh.
The altitude of this range varies from 1500m to 4500m.
In this zone falls the upper areas of the tehsils of Pachhad and Renuka in district Sirmour,the upper areas of district kangra,karsog and chachyot tehsil of mandi district, upper hills of district shimla and uppers parts of tehsil Churah of Chamba district.
This zone comprises two mountain ranges viz. Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal

a) Dauladhar Range

Dauladhar, which means the white paek or range, is the outermost portion of the Lesser Himalayas.
Dauladhar Range at an average height of 4,550 m.
It is also known as ‘Maulak Parbat’.
Its branches from the great Himalayas near Badrinath in Uttrakhand and intercepted by Satluj River at Rampur,Beas at Larji and Ravi River in western part of Chamba.
Kangra, Chamba, Kullu and Mandi districts lie in this range.
Hanuman ji ka Tibba or white Mountain(5639m) is the highest peak in this range.

b) Pir Panjal Range

It is at an average height of 5000m.
Pir Panjal range falls mainly in the Chamba District is the largest range in Lesser or Inner Himalayas.
It separates from great Himalayas near the bank of Satluj.it form water divide between Chenab on one side and Ravi and Beas on another side.
It is the largest range of the Inner Himalayas which is mostly contains volcanic rocks.
It separates kullu valley from Lahaul valley.The famous Rohtang pass lies in this range.

3) The Great Himalayas or Alpine Zone

This is the highest mountain range zone with an altitude from 5000 m to 7000m.
The range seperates the drainage of river Spiti from that of Beas.
The Famous Zaskar range of this zone is the easternmost range and separates the Kinnaur and Spiti fro Tibet.
District Kinnaur, Pangi teshil of district Chamba and some areas of district Lahaul-Spiti falls under this range.
Many Passess like Sach Pass, Chini,Chabia,Kugti pass in chamba are located in this range.