🏜️ Rajasthan Geography

Physical regions, rivers, lakes, climate and wildlife.

Location and size

• Rajasthan is the largest Indian state by area (about 3.42 lakh sq km).
• The capital is Jaipur, also called the Pink City.

Four physical regions

• Western desert region (Thar desert).
• Aravalli hill region, one of the oldest fold mountain ranges in the world.
• Eastern plains.
• South-eastern plateau (Hadoti region).
• Guru Shikhar (1,722 m) at Mount Abu is the highest peak of the Aravallis.

Rivers and lakes

• Important rivers: Chambal, Banas, Luni, Mahi and Ghaggar.
• Luni rises in the Aravalli hills near Ajmer and flows into the Rann of Kutch.
• Sambhar Lake is the largest inland saltwater lake in India.
• Indira Gandhi Canal (Rajasthan Canal) brings water to the desert districts.

Wildlife

• Tiger reserves: Ranthambore, Sariska and Mukundra Hills.
• Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur) is a famous bird sanctuary and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• State animal: Chinkara. State bird: Godawan (Great Indian Bustard). State tree: Khejri. State flower: Rohida.