Human Geography Of Tamil Nadu Online Test 10th Social Science Lesson 23 Questions in English

Human geography refers to the study of ways of development of human societies and their operation in relation to their physical environment. It also focuses on the distribution, characteristics and utilization of different resources in Tamil Nadu.

The Earth is endowed with a variety of natural resources such as landforms, rivers, soil, natural vegetation, water and wildlife. The human beings are the most significant resource on the earth surface. They turn all these natural resources into useful products with their skills and abilities.

The word "agriculture" is derived from the Latin words "ager and cultura", which means field and growing.

Agriculture has been the mainstay of the state’s economy since independence with more than 65% of the population depends upon this sector for their living.

Agriculture provides employment for rural people on a large scale. There is a strong link between agriculture and economic growth. Agriculture constitutes about 21% of the state’s economy. However, it fluctuates from one year to another.

Landform, climate, soil and irrigation are the factors that determine the growth of agriculture.

Tamil Nadu is a land of diverse landscape comprising of hills, plateaus and plains. Among them the plains are most suitable for agriculture.

The plains with alluvial soil enhance agricultural productivity. Example: Plains of Cauvery.

Tamil Nadu is a land of diverse landscape comprising of hills, plateaus and plains. Among them the plains are most suitable for agriculture. Agriculture in the plateau is moderate and is poor on the hills.

The state of Tamil Nadu experiences a tropical climate. Hence, the temperature in Tamil Nadu is relatively high almost throughout the year. So, only the tropical crops are cultivated. Water is another limiting factor of agriculture. The rainfall in this North east monsoon season and the irrigation facilities affect agriculture to a large extent.

Northeast monsoon is the major source of rainfall for Tamil Nadu. Therefore, the major cropping season begins with this season.

Tamil Nadu is situated in the tropical zone, which is nearer to the equator. The state experiences a tropical climate.

The Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute (TRRI) is an Indian research institute working in the field of rice under Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU).It is situated at Aduthurai, in Thanjavur district; it was established in April, 1985.

Farmers select different crops for different seasons of cultivation. It is based on the temperature and availability of moisture in the soil.

Paddy is the most important staple food crop of Tamil Nadu. Ponni and Kichadi samba are the major varieties of paddy grown in Tamil Nadu.

In Tamil Nadu about 3 million hectares of the state is under rice cultivation. Though it is cultivated all over Tamil Nadu, its cultivation is highly concentrated in Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Villupuram, Cuddalore and Tirunelveli districts.

Tamil Nadu ranks third in the production of rice among the states of India.

The deltaic region of river Cauvery or the undivided Thanjavur district is the major rice-producing region of Tamil Nadu. So, this region is rightly called as the "Granary of Tamil Nadu"

Millets form staple food of nearly one-third of human population of Tamil Nadu. Sorghum/jowar (cholam), ragi (kezhvaragu) and bajra (kambu) are the major millets.

The Millets are grown not only in drier areas but also in the coastal plains.

Bajra is mostly cultivated in Ramanathapuram, Tirunelveli, Karur, Perambalur and Salem districts.

India observed 2018 as national year of millets. FAO has decided to observe 2023 as the International year of millets.

Pulses are the major source of protein. Bengal gram, black gram, green gram, cowpea and horse grams are the important pulses grown in Tamil Nadu.

Pulses are grown in a wide range of climatic conditions mostly in drier regions with or without irrigation. Mild cool climate and a low to moderate rainfall are best suited for these crops.

Pulses serve as excellent fodder. Pulses are grown in almost all districts in the state except Chennai, Nilgiris and Kanyakumari.

Coimbatore leads in the production of Bengal gram. Vellore and Kanyakumari districts produce red gram. Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Thoothukudi districts are the principal producers of green gram and black gram. Horse gram is widely cultivated in Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts.

Apart from its use in food preparation, it is used in industries as a lubricant, in the manufacture of varnish, soaps, candles, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Groundnut is the major oilseed of the state. The cultivation of groundnut is mostly concentrated in Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, Salem and Pudukottai districts. It is also grown to some extent in Dharmapuri, Cuddalore, Perambalur and Madurai.

To promote organic farming a central scheme named ‘National Project on Organic Farming’ was launched Apart from general things the scheme provides financial assistance through Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme for agro-waste compost production units, bio-fertilizers/ bio-pesticides production units, development and implementation of quality control regime, human resource development etc.

Erode, Ramanathapuram, Sivagangai and Virudhunagar districts are the minor producers of Groundnut in Tamil Nadu.

Coconut is grown in Coimbatore, Thanjavur and Kanyakumari districts of Tamil Nadu.

Sugarcane is one of the major cash crops of the state. It is an annual crop. It requires high temperature and heavy rainfall. It grows well in the tropical region. Major sugarcane-producing districts are Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Vellore, Cuddalore, Tiruchirappalli, Coimbatore, Erode and Tirunelveli.

Cotton is a fiber and cash crop. It requires black soil, long frost-free condition and warm and humid weather for its cultivation. Humid weather in the early stages and hot, dry weather during harvest period is suitable for this crop.

Tea, coffee, cashew, rubber and cinchona are the major plantation crops of the Tamil Nadu state.

Tamil Nadu ranks second in area and production of tea in India next to Assam. Tea plantations are found in the hills of the Nilgiris and Coimbatore. The Nilgiris is the notable regions for tea plantations.

Cotton is predominantly cultivated in Coimbatore plateau and Vaigai-Vaippar river basins. It is also cultivated in Madurai, Ramanathapuram.

Coffee plants are grown in the hills of Western Ghats as well as Eastern Ghats. It is also found in the hilly slopes of Dindigul, Madurai, Theni and Salem districts. Yercaud, Kolli Hills and Kodaikanal are notable for coffee plantations. Rubber plantations are significant in Kanyakumari. Cashew is extensively cultivated in Cuddalore district.

Pepper is confined to the warm and wet slopes of Eastern and Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu.

Cinchona is planted at heights varying from 1060 to 1280 meters in Anaimalai hills.

Cardamom estates are located at few places in the hills of Madurai region at an elevation of 915 to 1525 meters.

TANTEA, TANTEA Tamil Nadu Tea Plantation Corporation Limited is one of the Biggest Black Tea Producers in India with high quality clonal tea. Its plantation spreads over nearly 4500 hec.

Tamil Nadu Dairy Development Corporation Ltd. was transformed into the newly registered Tamil Nadu Co-operative Milk Producers Federation Limited Popularly known as “Aavin”.

Goat is also known as ‘poor man’s cow ‘in India. It forms a very important component in dry land farming system.

In the marginal or undulating lands unsuitable for rearing of other types of cattle like cow or buffalo, goat is the best alternative. With very low investments, goat rearing can be made into a profitable venture for small and marginal farmers.

Sheep is used for multiple purposes like wool, meat, milk, skins and manure, and forms an important component of the rural economy, particularly in the arid, semi-arid and mountainous areas of Tamil Nadu. It provides a dependable source of income to the shepherds through the sale of wool and animals.

A variety of cattle breeds are reared in the state for the milk and form a major component of the rural economy. The poultry hubs of Tamil Nadu are Namakkal, Salem, Erode and Coimbatore districts.

Tamil Nadu is a coastal state fishing is one of the major occupations in the state. With widespread reservoirs and rivers, inland fishing also is also seen to a considerable extent. There are about 2500 species of fishes found in different aquatic environments.

Tamil Nadu is one of the leading states in marine fish production. Marine fishing is also called inshore fish or neritic fishing, carried out in oceans and seas.

In ocean or seawaters, fishing within few kilometers from the shoreline is called inshore fishing and the fishing far from the shore typically 20–30 miles out in water hundreds and thousands of feet deep is called off-shore fishing.

The Tamil Nadu state has three major fishing harbors, three medium fishing harbors and 363 fish landing centers. The export of marine products from the state during 2007– 08 accounted for 72,644 metric tons.

Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department has introduced several programs for the betterment of fishing. The major programs are aquaculture in farm ponds and irrigation tanks, fish seed bank, fish seed rearing, ornamental fish culture and the establishment of Fish Farmer Development Agency.

Vellore district leads in the production of inland fish production with 10% of state’s production. Cuddalore, Sivagangai and Virudhunagar districts stand second with 9% of inland fish catch each.

Fishing sector contributes 1.25% of state’s economy in Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu constitutes 4% of India’s land area and is inhabited by 6% of India’s population, but has only 2.5% percent of India’s water resources. More than 95% of the surface water and 80% of the ground water have already been put into use. Major uses of water include human/animal consumption, irrigation and industrial use.

The state is heavily dependent on monsoon rains. The annual average rainfall is around 930 mm in which of 47% during the northeast monsoon, 35% during the southwest monsoon, 14% in summer and 4% in winter.

The Mettur Dam was constructed in a gorge, where river Cauvery enters the plains. It is one of the oldest dams in India. It provides irrigation to Salem, Erode, Karur, Tiruchirappalli, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts for about 2, 71,000 acres of farmland.

The Bhavani Sagar Dam is located 80 km away from Coimbatore city in the district of Erode. It has been constructed across the river Bhavani. This dam is one of the biggest earthen dams in the country.

The Amaravathi dam is situated 25 km away from Udumalpet in Tiruppur district. The dam has been constructed across the river Amaravathi, a tributary of Cauvery. The dam was built primarily for irrigation and flood control. A small hydropower station has also been installed recently.

Sathanur Dam was constructed across the river Thenpennai in Chengam Taluk. Mullaiperiyar dam was built by the British administration in 1895. It has been constructed on the Periyar River. Papanasam Dam or Karaiyar Dam is built on the Thamirabarani River.

Mullaiperiyar dam was built by the British administration in 1895.

Sathanur dam is in the midst of Chennakesava hills. About 7183 hectares of land is drained by the left bank canal and 905 hectares by the right bank canal of this dam. It irrigates the land in Thandramapet and Tiruvannamalai blocks.

Mullaiperiyar dam has been constructed on the Periyar River, which originates from Thekkady hills of Kerala. The dam was built mainly for watering the farming.

The Vaigai dam is built across the river Vaigai near Andipatti. The dam with a height of 111 feet can store water up to 71 feet. It is located 7km from Andipatti and 70 km from Madurai.

The Vaigai dam was opened on 21 January, 1959. The dam has a unique garden that deserves the surname ‘Little Brindavan’. It is a popular picnic spot in Theni district.

The Papanasam Dam is also known as Karaiyar dam and is located about 49 km away from Tirunelveli. The dam is used to irrigate 34,861 hectares of land in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts. It generates 28 MW of hydro power.

Parampikulam Aliyar Project is a joint venture of Tamil Nadu and Kerala states. It envisages the construction of seven interconnected reservoirs by harnessing the water of seven rivers, which include major rivers of Parambikulam and Aliyar.

Parappalar project is located near Ottanchatram. Its storage capacity is 167 million cubic feet of water. It is about 75 km from Madurai and is in Palani Taluk.

The total surface water potential of Tamil Nadu state is about 24,864 million cubic meters. There are 17 major river basins in the state with 81 reservoirs and about 41,262 tanks.

The demand for water in Tamil Nadu is increasing at a fast rate both due to increasing population and also due to larger per capita needs triggered by economic growth. Agriculture is the largest consumer of water in the state using 75% of the state’s water resources.

Tamil Nadu heavily dependent on monsoon rains. Since the state is entirely dependent on rains for recharging its water resources, monsoon failures lead to acute water scarcity and severe droughts.

Coal is also available in Ramanathapuram. Oil and gas are found in the Cauvery basin. Gypsum is obtained in Tiruchirappalli, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Virudhunagar districts. Magnetite ores are available near Salem.

Iron deposits are found in Kanjamalai region in Salem district and Kalrayan Malai region of Tiruvannamalai district.

Bauxite is found in Servarayan Hills, Kotagiri, Udhagamandalam, Palani and Kollimalai areas.

Ilmenite and rutile are found in the sands of Kanyakumari beach.

Limestone is available in Coimbatore, Cuddalore, Dindigul, Kancheepuram, Karur, Madurai, Nagapattinam, Namakkal, Perambalur Ramanathapuram, Salem and Tiruvallur districts.

Neyveli has large lignite resources. Magnesite is obtained in Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, Karur, Namakkal, the Nilgiris, Salem, Tiruchirappalli, Tirunelveli and Vellore districts. Feldspar, quartz, copper and lead are also found in some parts of the state.

Textile industry is one of the traditionally well-developed industries in Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu has about 3, 50,000 power looms manufacturing cotton fabrics and accounts for 30% of India's exports of textiles products.

Erode in Tamil Nadu is well known for marketing of handloom, power loom and readymade garments. Coimbatore is also known as the ‘Manchester of Tamil Nadu’. Coimbatore, Tiruppur and Erode contribute a major share to the state’s economy through textiles. So, this region is referred as ‘Textile Valley of Tamil Nadu’. Karur is known as ‘The Textile capital of Tamil Nadu'".

Tamil Nadu occupies fourth position in the country in silk production. The annual silk production in Tamil Nadu is around 1200 metric tons.

Kancheepuram, Arani, Kumbakonam, Salem, Coimbatore, Madurai and Tirunelveli are the important silk-weaving centers in Tamil Nadu.

Kancheepuram silk is unique in its quality and is known for its traditional value all over the world.

Ramanathapuram has some specialized areas for the manufacturing of synthetic silk clothes.

Tamil Nadu accounts for 60% of leather tanning processes of India and 38% of all leather footwear, garments and components.

Hundreds of leather tanneries are located around Vellore and nearby towns, such as Ranipet, Ambur and Vaniyambadi. The Vellore district is the top exporter of finished leather goods in the country. Vellore leather accounts for more than 37% of the country's export of leather and leather related products.

The Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), a CSIR research laboratory is located in Chennai.

Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limited (TNPL) is a government of Tamil Nadu enterprise producing newsprint and printing and writing paper at its mill located at Kagithapuram in Karur district. It was started in 1979 with an installed capacity of 2.45 lakh MT of production per annum.

India is one of the largest cement producers and ranked second in the world with an annual production capacity of 181 million tons.

Tamil Nadu Cements Corporation Limited (TANCEM) is one among the major cement producers in Tamil Nadu operating two cement units one at Ariyalur and another at Alangulam. Asbestos cement sheet plant at Alangulam and stoneware pipe unit at Virudhachalam are the other units of TANCEM.

According to National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM), the southern states continue to account for more than half of the country's total export of software. Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh together account for 59.6% of India's total software exports. Tamil Nadu is the second largest software exporter in the country next to Karnataka.

A special economic zone (SEZ) is an area in which the business and trade laws are different from the rest of the country. SEZs are located within a country's national borders, and their aims include increased trade balance, employment, increased investment, job creation and effective administration.

Special economic zones (SEZs) provide an internationally competitive and hassle free environment for exports. Units in SEZ manufacture goods and provide a range of services. SEZs are located in Nanguneri, Ennore, Hosur and Perambalur. IT & ITES SEZ named TIDEL-II and TIDEL-III and Bio-Pharmaceuticals SEZ are located in Chennai and Coimbatore SEZ called the TIDEL Park–IV is located in the city.

The manufacturing industry broadly covers manufacture of machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, basic metal and alloy industries, metal products and repair of capital goods. Tamil Nadu's share of the industrial output is around 11–12% of the country's output and 15% of the country's exports excluding software. Tamil Nadu accounts for about 17% of India's software exports.

Automobile industry plays a crucial role in the state’s economy and has been one of the key driving factors. Contributing 8 percent to state GDP and giving direct employment to 2, 20,000 people.

The handloom sector in the state is the single largest cottage industry providing livelihood to a large number of rural people and promoting export earnings. The handloom sector and its related economic activities generate gainful employment for more than 4.29 lakh weaver households and 11.64 lakh weavers in the state. These societies mainly produce the cloth required for the scheme of ‘Free Supply of Uniforms to School Children and Free Distribution of Sarees and Dhotis Scheme’.

Sugar industry in Tamil Nadu is an important agro-based industry. There are 34 sugar mills in Tamil Nadu, in which 16 are in the cooperative sector and 18 in the private sector.

In recent years, the state has emerged as one of the leading tourist destinations for both domestic and foreign tourists. Tourism in Tamil Nadu is promoted by Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC).

The term ‘population’ refers to the number of people living in a defined area. The statistical study of the characteristics of human population is called demography. Demographers make a deep and detailed study of the population.

The rapid increase of population may be responsible for retarding economic growth. Hence, overpopulation is one of the major problems confronting our nation with all its effects.

The population of Tamil Nadu is shared almost 50% each by male and female. The growth rate of population in the decade 2001–2011 was 15.61% while in the previous decade it was 11.19%. The population of Tamil Nadu forms 5.96% of country’s total population as per 2011 Census which was 6.07% in the year 2001.

Chennai has the highest urban population with 4.219 million people, but the city ranks second in the district-wise count, next to Coimbatore district, which had 4.224 million people as per 2011 Census.

Agriculture and industrial development are the main causes of high concentration of population of the districts of Tamil Nadu.

In the Regions of Moderate Population, other than agriculture, small-scale industries and fishing along the coastal areas are the major occupations of people in the districts.

Regions of Sparse Population in Tamil Nadu are the coastal districts Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram and Sivagangai have a less than 15 lakh. The Nilgiris district has a population of less than 10 lakh (764,826) population and it is the least populated district as per 2011 Census.

The density of population in Tamil Nadu is 555 per sq.km as per the 2011 Census, while it was 480 per sq.km in 2001. The state ranks 12th among the Indian states in population density. The national average density of population as per the 2011 Census is 382.

People of other religions constitute 0.01% and the percentage of people with unstated religion is 0.26% in Tamil Nadu.

The sex ratio represents the number of females per 1000 males. The sex ratio of the state increased from 987 in 2001 to 995 in 2011. The sex ratio in India is 940 in 2011 as against 933 in 2001. It shows that the sex ratio is more favorable in the state than the country.

The highest sex ratio is found in the Nilgiris district (1041) followed by Thanjavur district (1031).The lowest sex ratio is reported in Dharmapuri district (946) followed by Salem district (954).

The literacy rate of Tamil Nadu as per the 2011 Census is 80.33%. It was 73.45% in 2001. The male literacy rate is 86.81% and the female literacy rate is 73.86%. The corresponding rates in 2001 were 82.42% for males and 64.43% for females.

The district of Kanyakumari has reported the highest literacy rate (92.14%) while Dharmapuri district has the lowest rate (64.71%).

Tamil Nadu has a total railway track length of 6,693 km with 690 railway stations in the state. The system connects it with most of the major cities in India. Main rail junctions in the state include Chennai, Coimbatore, Erode, Madurai, Salem, Tiruchirappalli and Tirunelveli.

Chennai has a well-established suburban railway network, a mass rapid transport system(MRTS) and is currently developing a Metro system, with its first underground stretch in operation since May 2017.

Tamil Nadu has four major international airports. Chennai International Airport is currently the third largest airport in India after Mumbai and Delhi. Other international airports in Tamil Nadu include Coimbatore, Madurai and Tiruchirappalli airports.

NH - 44 is the longest national highway in Tamil Nadu which runs from Hosur to Kanyakumari (627.2 km) Via Dharmapuri-Salem-Karur- Dindigul-Madurai-Tirunelveli.

NH-785 is the shortest national highway in Tamil Nadu which runs from Madurai to Natham (38 km).

Tamil Nadu has three major ports. They are in Chennai, Ennore and Tuticorin. It has an intermediate port at Nagapattinam and 15 minor ports.

Ennore intermediate port was recently converted as a major port and handles the major coal and ore traffic in Tamil Nadu.

Import refers to goods and services are brought from overseas producers. Tamil Nadu imports many goods from outside. The difference between the values of export and import is called the balance of trade.

Disastrous events caused directly or indirectly by human actions are called as manmade disaster. Man-made disaster can include hazardous material spills, fires, groundwater contamination, transportation accidents, structure failures, mining accidents, explosions and acts of terrorism.

A situation in which a large number of animals or people running in the same direction in an uncontrolled way causing injuries and deaths is called stamping. On 21st April, 2019 seven people were killed and 10 injured in a stampede during a local festival at a temple near Thuraiyur in Tamil Nadu.