CLASS-5 TERM-1 PRIME YEARS

Places that lie in the equatorial belt are very hot because this belt receives vertical rays of the Sun. Vertical rays travel shorter distances and spread on a smaller area, concentrating heat at that area. As we move towards the poles, it grows colder and colder. Southern India has hot and humid climate as it is near the equator, whereas Northern India has a dry and moderate climate as it lies beyond the Tropic of Cancer. Altitude or height above sea level: The Sun’s rays heat the Earth directly without heating the atmosphere. The heated Earth reflects the heat back into the atmosphere. As a result, the air around us gets heated up. Hence, we feel warm. As we go up, the air becomes thinner, and therefore, it is not heated much. That is why, hill stations are cooler in summers. Nearness to the sea: Water heats up slowly, while land gets heated fast. During summers, land gets heated, which leads to hot air rising up. However, air above the sea is much cooler, as water takes time to heat up. Thus, the cool air from the sea rushes to the land, keeping it cool. During winters, land cools faster than the sea. Thus, the warm air from the sea blows towards the land, keeping it warm. Earth and sun of vertical rays and slanting rays vertical rays slanting rays 151

As a result, places near the sea have a moderate climate without much change in the summer and winter temperatures. For example, Mumbai, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram etc. have moderate climate throughout the year. Direction of winds: Most winds coming from the Indian Ocean, which are also called monsoon winds, cause rainfall in the western and north eastern parts of India. The cold wind blowing from the Himalayan region makes northern states colder in winters. In summers, the hot wind blowing from the deserts makes these places hotter. The sea breeze and land breeze help to keep day and night temperatures almost the same in the coastal areas. Sea breez land During the day, the air above the land hots up up and raises up. As a result, cold air from the sea blows towards the land. This is called sea breeze. At night, the air above the sea raises up as it is warmer. As a result, cold air from the land blows towards the sea. This is called land breeze. Relief features: Presence of high mountains cause rainfall. When moisture bearing winds strike mountains, the accumulated water droplets fall down as Land breeze sea 152

rain. This is called precipitation. Places on the slopes of the mountains facing the winds receive heavy rainfall. However, places on the opposite slope of the mountains don’t receive much rain. These slopes are said to be in the rain shadow region. For example, Mumbai is on the side of the Western Ghats which receive monsoon winds from the Arabian Sea. Hence, it experiences heavy rainfall. Pune is located on the other side of the Western Ghats, and hence, it receives scanty rainfall. Temperature zones of the Earth: They are also called climatic zones. There are three main climatic zones: 1. Torrid zone 2. Temperate zone 3. Frigid zone Study the sketch given. Find the location of the different zones. 1. Where are the Torrid Zones? 2. Where are the temperate zones? 3. Where are the frigid zones? Temperature of the earth Frigid Zone Frigid Zone 153

Climate of the zones 1. Torrid Zone: It is located between 23½ N and 23½ S. It has hot and humid climate, 0 0 with heavy rainfall. The Torrid Zone is covered with thick forests called rainforests or evergreen forests. 2. Temperate zone: It is located between 23½ N and 66½ N, and 23½ S and 66½ S. In 0 0 0 0 other words, it is situated between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle, and between Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle. The climate of this zone is moderate. Vegetation in the temperate zone mainly consists of grasslands. World Temperature zones 154

1. Altitude - height above the sea level. 2. Humidity - amount of water vapour in the air. 3. Rain shadow region - a region lying on the opposite side of the hills receiving the rain bearing winds. 4. Land breeze - wind blowing from the land towards the sea. 5. Sea breeze - wind blowing from the sea towards the land. 6. Convectional rain - rain caused by convection currents. Excess water vapour in the air leads to precipitation. Example: rain in summers. 7. Relief rain - Rain caused when moisture bearing clouds strike mountains. Example - monsoon rains. 1. Differentiate between weather and climate. Write in a tabular form. 2. Mention the factors affecting the climate of a place. 3. Why are hill stations cooler during summers? 4. How does nearness to sea help a place to have a moderate climate? 5. Write a short note on land breeze and sea breeze. 6. What are the different temperature zones on earth? Explain the climate and location of each zone. 155 3. Frigid Zone: This zone lies between the Arctic Circle (66½ N) and North Pole, and 0 the Antarctic Circle (66½ S) and the South Pole. The zone is 0 characterized by extremely cold climate. In fact, the Sun never sets for six months in a row in this zone, and it never rises for the next six months. That’s why places in this zone are also called the Land of the Midnight Sun. The oceans here are frozen throughout the year.

Discuss the following in a group and arrive at a solution. Each group reads out its findings. 1. Why is Norway called the Land of the Midnight Sun? (Locate Norway in the world map) 2. Bangalore and Chennai are more or less at the same latitude. However, Chennai has a moderate but humid climate, while Bangalore has a pleasant and dry climate throughout the year. Why? 3. South western parts of India receive heavy rainfall. 4. Guess the climate of the following places. Write them in a tabular form. a. Delhi b. Hyderabad c. Ladhak d. Mumbai e. Jaipur f. Kolkata g. Bhopal h. Shimla. 5. Why doesn’t the plateau region of India receive enough rainfall? 1. Draw the different temperature zones of the Earth. Use the appropriate colour scheme. 2. Refer to the political map of the world and a map showing the different heat zones. Find out in which zone are the following countries or cities located: a. Congo b. California (USA) c. Greenland d. Malaysia e. Washington (USA) f. New Delhi g. Tibet h. England Guess the climate of these places. Place Latitude Altitude Relief features Nearness to the sea Net result 156

Tropical and Temperate Zones Refer to the chapter ‘Climate and Weather’ and write down your guess. You might have noticed that the equatorial region is part of the tropics. The climate is more or less the same on both the parts of the tropics. However, the intensity of heat and rain keeps reducing a little as we move away from 10 N to 23½ N and 10 S to 23½ S. 0 0 0 0 The tropics lie in the Torrid Zone. It lies between 23½ N latitude 0 (Tropic of Cancer) and 23½ S latitude (Tropic of Capricorn). 0 Look at the political map of the world and find out the countries that lie in this region. What type of climate does this region experience? What type of vegetation does this region have? Can you make a guess? 157

The southern part of India lies in the tropical belt. It has a hot and wet climate. However, it is not as intense as Congo. It does not rain everyday in the southern part of our country. However, the forests are similar to the ones found in the equatorial region. But there is one difference between forests in the southern part of India and those found in the equatorial region. In the southern part of India, we have tropical monsoon forests. Trees here shed their leaves during winters. Thus, they are called deciduous forests instead of evergreen forests. In other words evergreen forests and deciduous forests are found in the tropical belt. The temperate zone This region extends between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle, and the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle. This region has a moderate climate. The climate of this region is popularly known as continental climate. The summers are hot and the winters are cold, with moderate rainfall. The region experiences snow fall during winters at higher altitudes. Vegetation: Vegetation: Vegetation in the temperate zone mostly consists of grasslands. Tall grasses grow abundantly by here. 158

Location and names of major grasslands Grasslands are known by different names in different parts of the world. Continent Name of the grassland South America Australia South Africa Asia North America Pampas Downs Velds Steppes Prairies Locate these grasslands in the world political map. Let’s study about the prairies of North America. Prairies Location: They extend from the middle of Canada upto the middle of the United States. Locate it on a map. Two big rivers, namely Missouri and Mississippi, flow through this region. They provide water for irrigation. Vegetation and wild life: The Prairies have short grass, which makes them a meadow. Bison are found wandering in these grass lands. Before the coming of the European settlers, there were bison in large numbers. As the land was cleared for agriculture, the bison have slowly reduced in number. Other animals found in the region are dogs and Sunsliks. Sunsliks are squirrel like animals, but bigger in size. They make burrows to 159

store their seeds. When they make burrows, they turn the soil over, thus making it loose. In this way, they help farmers to sow their crops. Hawks, owls, and eagles are commonly found too in the region. Insects such as lubber grass hopper, tiger beetle and harvester ant are also found here. Agriculture: The soil of the prairies is suited for wheat cultivation. The moderate climate of the region is also favourable for this crop. The rivers Missouri and Mississippi provide water for irrigation. For this reason, Prairies are also known as the wheat basket of the world. The United States of America is the largest producer of wheat in the world. Farming: Farming is done in large fields, extending over hundreds of acres. As a result, mechanized farming is possible here. Tractors, threshers and harvesters are used for various agricultural operations. Farmers live in large spacious houses called homesteads on the farm. Even tasks such as filling the soil with grains are done by machines. Farming 160

There is very little manual labor on these farms. Cowboys (now called cowhands) also live in the homesteads. As very less workers are needed for farming, the population in the Prairies is very thin. Other occupations: In the hilly lands towards the west, cultivation is not possible, as the soil is not fertile. This part of the prairies is mainly used for cattle rearing. The vast meadows that stretch out over hundreds of acres are called ranches. Cattle are mainly reared for meat. Beef is an essential dish in the American diet, which is is also exported to other countries. Chicago has the largest number of slaughter houses. Well-equipped dairy farms are also set up here. The dairy farms here are huge. Milk and milk products are sent to other parts of the country from these dairy farms. Just like agricultural farming, most of the tasks in dairy farms are also done by machines. Prairies are also rich in mineral deposits like coal, lignite and petroleum. As a result, oil refineries are set up in some parts of the Prairies. Unlike the farmers of our country, the farmers here are rich and contribute to the country’s economy. Science and technology find wide applications in farming and related works. People are very progressive here and well trained to handle machines. 161

1. Deciduous tree - Trees that shed their leaves in winters or summers. 2. Continental - Refers to the regions that lie in the temperate zone. Continental dishes refer to the recipes of countries like Canada, USA, Australia, Mexico, and other European countries. 3. Bison - Wild buffaloes 4. Silos - Huge cylindrical structures used to store food grains 5. Homesteads - Houses of farmers on agricultural fields. They also use them to keep their agricultural machinery. 6. Slaughter house - A place where animals are butchered. 1. Give the extent of the Tropical Zone. 2. Give the extent of the equatorial region. 3. Give the extent of the Temperate Zone. 4. What type of vegetation does the Tropical Zone have? 5. What are the different names given to temperate grasslands? 6. What is the difference between farming in India and the USA? Explain the following with respect to (farming in priaries. ) a. Farm size b. Mechanization c. Farmer's houses d. Farmer's financial conditions 162

1. Mark and colour grasslands in the outline map of the world. 2. Find out some common trees found in deciduous forests. (refer to websites) 3. Imagine you are living in one of the farms in the Prairies. Write a letter to your twitter friend describing life on the farm. 4. Colour the countries that lie in the tropical region (whole or part). 1. Why are the Prairies called the wheat basket of the world? 2. Why are farmers in the USA richer than those in India? 3. What is the difference between equatorial region and tropical region? Put them down in a tabular form. What are these? 1. Homesteads 2. Silos 3. Cowhands 4. Slaughter houses 163

Equatorial Region The equatorial region lies between 10 N and 10 S of equator. It is also 0 0 called hot and wet land. It lies in the Torrid Zone. Look at the political map of the world. Find out which countries lie in the equatorial belt. The main areas of the world which lie in the equatorial belt are: 1. The Amazon basin in South America 2. The Congo basin in Africa 3. Indonesia and Malaysia in Asia. Climate of the equatorial region The climate of the region is hot as the vertical rays of the Sun fall in this region. It rains almost every day because of its high humidity levels. Vegetation here consists of evergreen forests. The trees have large flat leaves that form a canopy. All trees do not shed their leaves at the same time. Thus, the forest remains green throughout the year, and hence the name. They are also called rain forests because the daily rainfall is the reason for the abundant growth of trees. Mahogany, ebony, rubber, and rosewood are some trees that grow well in these forests. Wildlife: Monkeys, wildcats and jaguar are some common animals found in the region. Wild lizards, snakes and other reptiles live in the forest floor. Macaws, parrots and toucans are some common birds that live in the canopy. Plenty of varieties of fresh water fish are also found in the Amazon River. 164

Democratic Republic of Congo The equator passes through the middle of this country. Earlier, it was known as Zaire. The Congo River basin covers almost the whole country. Democratic republic of Congo has two mountain ranges on the eastern side, namely Ruwenzori Range, and Mitumba Range. Congo Climate: The democratic republic of Congo has a tropical climate. It is hot and humid, and it receives rainfall almost every day. The temperature in the plateau region and the mountainous regions is comparatively low. In the Mitumba ranges, the temperature is about 19 C, whereas at 0 Kinshasa, the capital city and a plateau region, the average temperature is 24 C. 0 Wild life: A wide range of animals such as monkeys, gorillas, chimpanzees, elephants, hippos, giraffes, rhinos and lions are found here. The Bonobos or Dwarf chimpanzees can be seen only in this place. 165

People and life in the country: People here belong to different countries and different cultures. There are over 200 languages spoken in Congo. People in the towns largely follow a western lifestyle. However, in the deep forests, you can still find the original inhabitants of the land, called pygmies. They are dwarf men who are still food gatherers and hunters. French is the official language of the place. In villages, people live in thatched houses. 80% of the people of Congo follow Christianity. The rest still follow African beliefs and customs. Malaria affects people very frequently in this region. There is also the risk to cattle from the deadly Tse-Tse fly. Tse-tse fly causes a disease called sleeping sickness in cattle. Thus, cattle rearing is not common here. Occupation: Main occupations of the people of the region are agriculture and mining. They grow mainly rice and Cassava (tapioca), along with cash crops such as coffee, rubber, and cotton. Fish farming is also common in the area. As the region is rich in mineral deposits, mining is a major occupation. Transport and communication: Transport is a problem here because of industries and mines being spread throughout the country. The most common means of transport here is water transport. The Congo River covers almost the entire country. The cities and industrial towns are connected by roads and rails. 166

1. Macaw - a kind of parrot, which is mostly multi-colored. 2. Toucan - a bird with a large beak. 3. Cassava - a type of tuber rich in carbohydrates.It is similar to tapioca grown in Kerala and Karnataka.The plant stores food in the roots. As a result, the roots grow fleshy. These roots are eatenby people. 1. What is the extent of the equatorial region? 2. Name the countries that lie in the equatorial region? 3. Why the equatorial forests are also called rain forests? 4. Describe the climate of the equatorial region 167 Nowadays, air transport is also available in Kinshasa and other major cities. Other countries in the equatorial belt: Other countries in the equatorial belt are the Amazon basin (northern port of Brazil), Indonesian islands, and Malaysia. Look for them in the world map. In most of these countries, people largely follow a western lifestyle. However, you can find the native tribes if you go deep in the forests. The Amazon rain forests are home to a variety of animals. The longest snake in the world, Anaconda, is found in the Amazon forests. Piranha is a variety of fish found in the Amazon River.

168 Find a word or a phrase for the following: 1. Another name of the equatorial region ________________________ 2. The climate of the equatorial region __________________________ 3. Forests of the equatorial region _______________________________ 4. Occupation of people living in equatorial region ________________ 5. Capital of Democratic Republic of Congo ________________________ 6. The longest snake in the world _______________________________ 7. A type of fresh water fish found in Amazon ______________________ 8. The original inhabitants of Congo ____________________________ 9. The dwarf chimpanzees found in Congo _______________________ 10. The mountain ranges in Congo ________________________________ 11. Main food of people of Congo __________________________________ • Using the clues given under think little, write a paragraph about equatorial region and Congo. • Collect pictures from websites and paste them with the write up.

169 1. Colour the regions of the equatorial belt in the given outline map of the world. 2. Make a model of rain forests. Do it as group work. • Use green felt paper to cut out large flat leaves of different shapes. • Make long thin paper cones with black or brown felt paper. Attach the leaves on the top of the cones. • Make creepers and short plants with green and yellow felt/crape paper. • Use green bathroom mats (plastic cut outs) and spread them on a card board or plywood. Fix the creepers and small bushy plants on them. Keep the trees in between. See that there is no gap between the leaves at the top. 3. Gather more information about pygmies. Prepare an article about them. Supplement it with photographs or pictures.

Hot Deserts Deserts are places that receive scanty rainfall. There is little vegetation here, and very thin population. There are hot deserts and cold deserts. Cold deserts are found in high mountainous regions and at the poles. For example, Siberian deserts, and Tibet in the Himalayas are cold deserts. In the map of the world locate the hot deserts of the world. Hot deserts in the world are: 1. Sahara desert in northwest Africa 2. Gobi desert in China 3. Atacama desert in South America 4. Kalahari desert in South Africa 5. The great Indian desert (Thar) along the India-Pakistan border 6. Arabian Desert in Saudi Arabia. Colour the deserts of the world in the physical map of the world. Deserts are formed due to lack of rain and other water resources. Dry winds blow here, which are called trade winds. They take away the traces of moisture present in the air. Let us study about the Arabian Desert and life of people living there. Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia is a part of the Arabian Peninsula. It lies in the southwest of Asia, between the Red sea and the Persian Gulf. 170

Locate Saudi Arabia on a map. Its neighbouring countries are Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan, Qatar, Yemen, Oman, Turkey, and UAE. All these countries, except Turkey, are together called the Gulf countries because they are scattered around the Persian Gulf. Geography: Saudi Arabia slopes down from the west to the east. On the western side of it are mountains. To the east of the mountains is the Najd plateau. Bordering this plateau are three deserts, namely, Nafud, Dahua and Rub-a-Kali (also called empty quarter). An oil rich province named Haso lies along the Persian Gulf. The economy of Saudi Arabia depends on the oil drilled in this province. 171

The deserts: The deserts of Saudi Arabia are characterized by oasis and sand dunes. Oasis: An oasis is an area in a desert where water is available. Water found in such regions is underground water coming up through springs. Villages in deserts develop around oases. People even cultivate crops here. Oasis Wadis: Wadis are small streams of water formed in deserts after a rain. They exist only for a short while. Sand dunes: Winds blowing in deserts carry loose sand and deposits them at a place. These mounds of sand are called sand dunes. They change places as the wind continuously removes sand from one place to another, thus forming new sand dunes. Vegetation: Cacti and thorny bushes grow in this part of the world. These plants have long roots that go deep in search of water. The leaves are reduced 172

to thorns in order to prevent loss of water through transpiration. The stems of these plants are fleshy because they store water. Date palms grow in plenty around the oases. The dates from Saudi Arabia are popular around the world. Crops like wheat and ragi are also grown here. Animal life: Ostrich, baboons, hyenas, gazelles, desert snakes that move under the sand, and insects of different kinds can be seen in deserts of Saudi Arabia. People living near the oases are nomads who rear sheep and goat for milk and meat. Earlier, camels were used as the means of transport in these deserts by nomadic people. Today, modern transport is primarily used for travelling from one place to another in these deserts. Next time you see a camel, observe its hoofs and the way it walks. A camel uses both foreleg and hind leg on one side at a time while walking. This is to reduce the pressure exerted on the loose sand. Other animals use their legs on both sides while walking. As the area in contact increases, the pressure exerted by the body deceases. 173

However, camel is an important means of transport in this part of the world even today. Camel is called ‘the ship of the desert’. Why is it called the ‘ship of the desert’? The camel’s anatomy is best suited for hot and dry desert weather. Its hoofs are wide and paddled. Hence, it exerts less pressure while walking on loose sand. It stores water in its hump, which is used by the body as and when needed. Camels can survive months without drinking water. It has long eye lashes and wide iris to prevent sand from entering its eyes. Lifestyle: In olden days, Saudi Arabia was inhabited by a nomadic race called Bedouins. They used to move from one oasis to another. They lived in make-shift tents made of animal hides. They used to travel in groups with their belongings on camels. Such a group moving in a line is called a caravan. Caravan: The people living in villages follow the same lifestyle even today. The traditional costume of the Bedouins consists of a long robe that covers the feet, and a cloth that covers the head. It is kept in place by a ring made of camel hair. People in cities primarily wear western costumes. However, on ceremonial occasions, they can be seen wearing their traditional attire. People in this part of the world largely speak Arabic and English. Saudi Arabia’s rich petroleum reserves have made it one of the richest countries in the world. Riyadh is the capital of Saudi Arabia. It is a modern city at par with any leading city in the west, with all the modern facilities. 174

Most of the people here are well educated and work in IT firms, industrial units, and oil refineries. Cement, petrochemicals, iron and steel, and fertilizers are some of the industries that are common here. Small scale industries like textile, soap manufacture, leather goods, and handicrafts are also found in the cities of Saudi Arabia. Arabian dates are also a source of income from exports. Saudi Arabia is a place where old and new co-exist. Apart from Riyadh, Jeddah is a big commercial city and an important trading port. They have very wide roads, skyscrapers, parks, children’s recreation centres, schools, colleges, and multi-specialty hospitals. Religious importance: Mecca and Medina are two very important religious centres in Saudi Arabia. Lakhs of Muslims from all parts of the world visit this place. According to the Quran, the holy book of the Muslims, every Muslim must visit Mecca once in his lifetime. The pilgrimage to Mecca is called Haj. Of late, desalination plants have been set up in the region to convert sea water into drinking water. This is because of shortage of potable water in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is a model for other countries for exploiting natural resources in the right manner. The barren desert has now become a well developed nation. 175

1. Trade winds - Permanent wind systems on earth. They blow from the temperate zones towards the tropical zones. 2. Gulf - A narrow opening between land masses which serves as an entry point for seas. 3. Transpiration - Plants give out their excess water through the pores in their leaves. This happens during night time. This process is called transpiration 4. Gazelle - A kind of antelope (deer) 5. Desalination - The process of removing salt from water. 1. Name the hot deserts of the world. 2. Why do certain areas become deserts? 3. Mention the location of Saudi Arabia. 4. Name the deserts in Saudi Arabia. 5. Write short notes on (a) Oasis (b) Sand dunes. 6. Why the camel is called ‘the ship of the desert’? 7. What are the reasons for economic development of Saudi Arabia? 1. Why does cactus plant have fleshy stem and spike-like leaves? 2. Saudi Arabia is a place where the old and new co-exists. Justify. 3. What do we learn from the government of Saudi Arabia? 176

Write the correct answer for each statement by solving jumble words given in the box 1. Nomadic people of Saudi Arabia 2. A pilgrim centre in Saudi Arabia 3. A fruit produced in plenty in Saudi Arabia 4. Capital of Saudi Arabia 5. An important port of Saudi Arabia 6. A neighbouring country of Saudi Arabia 7. An oil rich province in Saudi Arabia 8. Small streams of water formed after rain. s t e d a y d h a i r a d j e d h a c m c e d n o b i u e s n r i a o s a h s i d w a • Imagine you meet an old Bedouin who has seen the older days and the present days too. • Write in his words how the lifestyle of the people has changed over the years, and the reason for this change. • The write-up should be 100-150 words, and should be written in first person, like a story. 1. Colour Saudi Arabia in the world map. 2. Colour the neighbouring countries of Saudi Arabia in different shades on the same map. 3. Colour the Persian Gulf in blue on the same map. 177

Land of Ice- Greenland Greenland: It is the largest island in the world. Nuuk is its capital. The island of Greenland is under the control of government of Denmark. Iceland is its neighbour. Greenland was discovered by Norse Vikings about 1000 years ago. In the political map of the world, locate Greenland. What is the latitudinal extent of this country? In which heat zone does it lie? What is the vegetation type found here? 178

Icebergs: Regular snowfall in an area leads to deposit of layers of ice on land. At some places, these layers can be several kilometers deep. At certain places, these thick layers of ice break due to pressure exerted by ice from within. These broken layers of ice then start floating towards the ocean. Icebergs Sometimes, huge of ice ofice break off and start floating in the ocean. These huge floating chunks of ice are called icebergs. We can see only the top of the iceberg, the rest of it being under water. These icebergs often pose danger to ships. As the icebergs are not visible in fog, ships sailing in the seas and oceans are likely to collide with them. Geographical features: Actually, only 1/10 of th the iceberg is seen above water. The rest of it is under water. ‘The tip of the iceberg’ is an idiom which means only a part of something is visible, and the rest is concealed. Greenland lies in the ‘Frigid Zone’. The southern part of this island lies in the Tundra region, which explains why 80% of the island is covered by ice. Icebergs can be seen floating in the ocean here. Climate: Average winter temperature of Greenland is -6 degree centigrade in the southern part, and -35 degrees centigrade in the northern part. Snow storms called blizzards are common here. Summers are cool here, with an average temperature of 7 degrees centigrade. Summers last for six months here, and during those six months, the Sun 179

does not set at all. Hence, Greenland is also called the ‘the land of the midnight Sun’. Plant and animal life: During summers, small grass, herbs, and short bushy shrubs grow here. Lichens and moss are also seen in abundance. At lower latitudes (southern parts of the island), dwarf trees can be seen. These are food for the herbivores. Polar bear, reindeer, arctic fox, musk ox, and a type of wolf-like dogs called huskies are commonly found in this region. The carnivores feed on fish and other smaller land animals like lemmings. They kill their prey, eat what they can, and store the rest under the snow for future use. Reindeer and huskies are used by people to pull their sledges. Sledges are carts without wheels that move on ice. Seals, walrus and whales are some aquatic animals found here. There are no birds found in the region. However, during summers, ducks and geese migrate to this place in large numbers. Most of the animals here hibernate in winter. Inhabitants Inuits or Eskimos are the inhabitants of this land. Inuits originally came from North America. They migrated to Greenland about 1000 years ago, after Erik the Red – a Norwegian explorer- led a team to Greenland. The inuits have high cheek bones, flat faces, and small eyes. They have a very fair complexion. They are short and stout. Most of the population of Greenland live near the coast. The official language of Greenland is Danish. The Eskimos speak Danish and Greenlandish – the native language of the inuits. They hunt seal, walrus and whale. The seal is the most useful among all the animals they hunt. It is the main food of the Eskimos. Seal skin is used to make tents in summers, and a boat called kayak is 180

also made from seal skin. Seal skin also finds use in making boots for walking on ice. Eskimos use kayaks for fishing. They use a bigger boat called umaik for family outings. Nowadays, there are motor boats too. In the olden days, harpoons were used by Eskimos to kill animals. Harpoons are spears tied to a long rope. It is a long range weapon. When a hunter spots his prey, he throws the harpoon at it and pulls the prey towards him with the help of the rope. Nowadays, automatic rifles are used for hunting animals. Sledges are used for land travel. Houses: In summers, Eskimos live in tents made of sealskin. In winters, they make snow houses called igloos. Igloos are made by digging several feet in the snow or ice, and covering it with a dome-shaped roof with ice blocks. The dome shape helps the snow falling on it to slide down. Some igloos are interconnected with others through underground Igloo and eskimos 181

passages. Such clusters of igloos have a common dome. This helps people to keep contact even when they are living underground. In summers, sod houses are also built, apart from tents made from seal skin. Plant remains mixed with soil is called sod. Sod houses are made with sod and ribs of walrus, seal, and whale. With advancement in technology though, Eskimos now live in stone houses built of stone and wood. The floor of the houses is covered with fur. They also have travelling tents called toupig. They can be carried to different places and set up at the chosen site. Clothing: Eskimos wear clothes made of animal skin and fur. They wear trousers and tunics with hoods to cover their head. The dress is called Parkha. They wear knee-high boots to escape from frost bite. Nowadays, readymade leather outfits are available in the markets in Nuuk and other cities. Occupation: In the olden days, the main occupation of Eskimos was limited to hunting, cloth making, and building tents and igloos. Now, new outlets are open for them. Greenlanders now have contact with the outer world and they are becoming aware of western culture and lifestyle.Greenland has mineral deposits, including huge deposits of petroleum. In fact, petroleum drilling is going on in the island. Many construction companies have come up here. Such industrial activities give the Greenlanders new avenues for jobs. Nuuk has now become a well connected city. It has air services to all the neighbouring countries. Many inuits are migrating to other cities and towns in search of jobs. Eskimos are now becoming aware of the scientific and technological development happening around the world. 182

1. Hibernate - Sleeping underground during unfavorable weather. 2. Fog - cloud like appearance in the air, close to the surface of the Earth. 3. Blizzards - Snow storms. Instead of rain, there is snowfall accompanied by strong winds. 4. Frostbite - Fingers and toes get damaged and become numb due to frequent contact with snow and ice. 5. Toupig - Readymade tents that can be carried and put up anywhere. 1. Describe the location of Greenland. 2. What are the animals found in Greenland? 3. How is the seal useful to Eskimos? 4. What are the different types of shelters the Eskimos build? 5. How has the Eskimos’ lifestyle changed in recent years? 6. What is Parkha? What do the following terms mean? 1. Frigid zone : ________________ 6. Harpoon : ___________________ 2. Nuuk : _____________________ 7. Kayak : ____________________ 3. Tundra : ____________________ 8. Huskies : ___________________ 4. Iceberg : ____________________ 9. Umaik : ____________________ 5. Sledge : ____________________ 10. Hybernate : ________________ 183

• Imagine you and your friends are on a trip to Greenland. • There, you meet an Eskimo boy who becomes your friend. • Write a conversation with the boy with questions to cover his life, how it is different from his mother and father’s childhood life, how they adjust to the harsh climate of the region, whether he wants to come and live in other cities or towns away from Greenland etc. • The write up can be 2-4 pages. • Supplement the write-up with photographs. 1. Colour Greenland in the world map. 2. Mark the latitudinal extent of Greenland the world map. 184

Frigid Zone and Tundras The frigid zones extend from the Arctic Circle (66½ N) to the North 0 Pole, and the Antarctic Circle (66½ S) to the South Pole. 0 The climate here is extremely cold. The land remains covered with ice for most part of the year. The frozen soil beneath the ice caps is called permafrost. Between 60 N and 70 N, and between 60 S and 70 S, the region is 0 0 0 0 called Tundra . The Tundra region is treeless land covered with ice almost throughout the year. During summers, the frost thaws and the soil is exposed. Tiny plants like moss lichen and heath can be seen growing here during the summer months. Parts of Alaska, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Canada, Russia, Greenland, 0 0 66 / N 1 0 2 23 / N 1 0 2 23 / S 1 0 2 66 / S 1 0 2 and Iceland lie in the North Frigid Zone. A part of Greenland lies in the Tundra region, while the other countries lie completely in the Tundra region. Auckland Island, Bounty Island, Antipodes Campbell islands, and Maquari Island lie in the south tundra region. Antarctica lies completely in the South Frigid Zone. Temperature zones 185

Tundras in the world 1. Arctic tundra: It is beyond the Taigas. Taigas are coniferous forests found on mountain slopes. The summer temperatures here are between -2 C and-5 C, while winter 0 0 temperatures are between -30 C and -50 C'. 0 0 2. Antarctic tundra: The whole of Antarctica lies in this region. There is absolutely no vegetation here. The land is covered by snow throughout the year. 3. Alpine tundra: Most mountains in the world which have permafrost snow caps have alpine vegetation. Small grass like plants sprout during summer months. An example of alpine tundra is the Alps Mountains (Switzerland is a valley in the Alps). Another example of alpine tundra is Ladakh in the Himalayas. Climate There are 6 months of day light in the Arctic Circle. The sun shines continuously for 6 months during summers. In winters, the sun never is seen, and the region is in complete darkness. The Arctic Circle is also known as the land of midnight sun, as the sun continuously shines over the North Pole for six months. Alpine Tundra 186

Wild life Caribou, musk ox, arctic fox, polar bear, reindeer and a type of wolf called huskies are some animals found in the tundra. They have adapted to the extreme cold weather. The polar bear has a thick fur for protecting itself against cold. It also stores fat under its skin. This keeps it warm. Seal and walrus are the aquatic animals found here. Albatrose are goose like animals that can fly long distances over the sea. It is believed that they take in water only when it rains. That’s why, they eagerly wait for rains. In the famous story-poem ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’, the poet says that albatrose brings bad luck. Inhabitants of tundra region Inhabitants of Arctic tundra are monadic tribes. They travel with their animals in search of food. Some of the common tribes that inhabit the region are: 1. The Eskimos (Inuit) of Greenland, North Canada, Alaska and Russia. 2. The Lappas of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. 3. The Yakuts of eastern Siberia. Of late, such tribes have become more modern in their lifestyle. It is partly due to the fact that copper and petroleum are now mined in this region, thus giving them new occupations. As a result, most of them have migrated to capital cities. Small cities and townships have come up in the tundra too. Seal 187

In the Antarctic Circle, temperatures range between -89 C 0 and -5 Degree C. Penguins, weddel seal, orca killer whale, albatrose leopard seal, and blue whale are common sea animals found here. No land animals are found here. Penguins are flight less birds that live in land and water. Let’s learn something about the frozen continent- Antarctica. Antarctica: It is a new found continent, spread out around the South Pole. Many countries like the USA, UK, Russia, France, Germany, and others have started establishing camps here. They have also set up research stations here. India too has a base camp and research station here. In 1983, a team of scientists under Mr. S.Z. Quasim, a marine biologist, established a camp in Antarctica. It was named Dakshina Gangotri. (Gangotri is a glacier in the Himalayas from which the River Ganga originates). On October 1 , 1984, a research station named Maitri was established, st for which Dakshina Gangotri became a supply base. The research station is being used to carry out research work in fields of biological sciences, meteorology, and human physiology. In 2012, another research station named Bharati has been set up here. The research station concentrates on research work in continental break up and oceanographic studies. Each of these research stations can support upto 25 people. Antarctica 188

Seasons in Antarctica: December, January and February are the summer months here, with 24 hours day light. July is the coldest month. Population: There are no human inhabitants in Antarctica, except the people who work in research stations, and tourists. The winter population of Antarctica is around 1000, while the summer population can reach upto 5000. Penguins are aplenty in Antarctica. They live in colonies. They move in groups, huddling together to keep themselves warm. They lay their eggs in burrows made in snow. They can swim fast in water, although the ocean is frozen most of the time. They feed on small fish and aquatic animals that live under the frozen surface of the ocean. 189

1. Permafrost - frozen soil beneath ice caps. In summers, the ice melts, exposing the soil underneath. 2. Lichen - small green plants found in tundra region. They help to wet surfaces. They spread like carpet. 3. Moss - tiny green plants that grow in the gap between rocks and hard surfaces. They are slippery. 4. Albatrose - a bird that is found flying over the sea. It is behived that it takes in water only when it rains 5. Thaw - melt. 6. Oceanography - study of the structure of oceans and oceanic water movements. 1. What is the latitudinal extent of Frigid Zone? 2. What is permafrost? 3. Name the countries that lie fully in the North Frigid Zone. 4. Name the countries that lie in the Arctic tundra. 5. Where is Antarctica located? 6. What are the tundra regions? Name the different type of tundra. 7. Why is Arctic Circle called the land of midnight sun? 8. What is Dakshina Gangotri? 9. Who is S.Z. Quasim? 190

Put an ‘X’ against the statements below which are wrong. 1. Northern part of India lies in the tundra region. 2. Switzerland is a valley. 3. Tundras are found in the Frigid Zone. 4. Minimum temperature of south frigid zone is -50 C. 0 5. Penguins are found in arctic tundra. 6. Bharati is India’s first research station in Antarctica. 7. Ladakh in Himalayas is an example of alpine tundra. 8. Greenland lies fully in the North Frigid Zone. Imagine that you are on a trip to Antarctica. Write your experiences in about 100 words. Use the following clues: What things will you carry? What modes of transport will you use? People you may meet. Where do you stay? What do you eat? How do you feel about the trip? 191

Discuss in groups and come up with an explanation for the following: 1. Greenland and Antarctica lie in the Frigid Zone. However, Greenland is inhabited, while Antarctica is not. Why? 2. In the Arctic Circle, sun shines for 24 hours everyday for six months at a stretch. Why? 3. In Antarctica, the ocean surface is frozen. Despite that, how do aquatic animals live in the ocean? 1. In the world map colour the part of the countries that partially or fully lie in the Frigid Zone. 2. Make a model of Antarctica in a carton. Use glass wool or cotton, and blue paint. For penguins, seal and walrus, use paper cuttings. Cut the front part of the carton and paste a polythene sheet to see through it. Do it as group work. 192

Important Monarchs of India During the Vedic Age, Janapadas and Mahajanapadas (villages and towns, or small kingdoms) were formed first. However, the first empire established in India was the Mauryan Empire. After the Mauryans, there were many foreign invasions in the country, before the Guptas established their empire. Post that, there were invasions by the Huns, the Mongols, and the Turks. The last before the Europeans were the Mughals. Many of these invasions saw great rulers who were known for their valour, justice, and humanitarian feelings. These great rulers have left a legacy that we should be proud of. There are a lot of things we can learn from them, such as great administration, welfare of people, law and order etc. Let us learn about a few great monarchs who ruled in India. Chandragupta Maurya (321-285 BC) He was the first ruler who could establish a vast empire in India, extending from Assam in the east to Afghanistan in the west; from Kashmir in the north to Deccan in the south. Chandragupta was a commoner. However, through his valour, determination, and guidance from a learned man called Chanakya (Kautalya), he was able to overthrow the Magadha king Dhan Nanda. Chandragupta Maurya 193

Chanakya became his advisor and minister. He conquered the Greek territories and entered into an alliance with them by marrying a Greek princess. His capital was Pataliputra (Patna). It is said that towards the end, he embraced Jainism and went away to South India. Asoka (272 BC) Asoka was the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya. He was a great conqueror and was merciless in fight. He extended his kingdom to far south upto Karnataka. He fought a fierce war with Kalinga to expand his kingdom. However, after the Kalinga War, he was transformed. He shunned violence and followed the path of ‘Ahimsa’. He embraced Buddhism and spread the message of Buddha through various countries. He had pillars and stupas constructed to spread Buddha’s teachings. He sent his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) to spread Buddhism there. Some historians say that the reason for Asoka’s transformation was not the bloodshed and killings in the war of Kalinga . Sanghamitra’s betrothed who was fighting on the side of Mauryan army in the Kalinga died fighting . Sanghamitra renounced the world and became a Buddhist monk. According to experts, that was the reason for Asoka’s transformation. Ashoka Chandragupta took the title of Maurya after his mother Mura. She was the wife of a warrior who was murdered by the king’s men. Mura was abused by the king’s men and was made a slave when Chandragupta was still a boy. When he grew up, Chandragupta released her from slavery. However, she died soon after. When he became the king, he took the title Maurya, meaning ‘son of Mura’. 194

Kanishka (78 AD) After the decline of the Mauryan Empire, there were many foreign invasions in India. The Sakas and the Kushanas are worth mentioning. Kanishka was the most powerful among the Kushanas who ruled India. Originally, Kushanas belonged to China. Kanishka was a firm believer in Buddhism. An annual Buddhist council used to be held in his empire. The Gandhara architecture was developed during his rule. The Navaratnas in Vikramaditya’s empire were: Dhanvanthari, Kshapanaka, Amarasimha, Varaha Mihira, Aryabhatta, Charaka, Kalidasa, Vetalabhatta and Ghalakarpura. Chandragupta II (420 AD) He was also called Vikramaditya, meaning ‘as powerful as the Sun’. He was an able ruler, a great conqueror, and a patron of art and literature. In his court, there were 9 scholars called Navratnas. Poet Kalidas was one of them. Ramayana, Mahabharata, and the puranas were re-written during his time. A Chinese traveller named Fa-hien who visited India during his rule wrote that Gupta’s rule was the golden period in Indian history. Ujjaini was the capital of his kingdom. The title ‘Vikramaditya’ was given to Chandragupta II probably after the legendary King Vikramaditya of Vikram-Betal fame. It is also possible that the story of Vikramaditya was woven around Chandragupta II, thus giving him the title of Vikramaditya. 195

Narasimha Pallava (630-668 AD) He was nicknamed ‘Mahamallan’ as he was the champion of all wrestlers. He conquered many kingdoms in South India and defeated Pulikesin II of Vatapi (Badami in Maharashtra). Pallava kingdom extended to Deccan in the north and northern Tamilnadu in the south. The capital of the Pallava kingdom was Kanchipuram. The rock cut temples and sculptures of Mahabalipuram near the present Chennai stand testimony to his love for art and architecture. Pallava glory was at its height during his rule. Raja Raja Chola (800 AD) Chola, Chera and Pandya were three kingdoms that flourished in South India from the 4 to 8 century AD. The kings were together th th called Muvendar (three kings). When Cholas became more powerful, Pandyas and Cheras were subdued. Raja Raja Chola was the most prominent among all Chola Raja Raja Chola The gopuram of the Bruhadeeswara temple is the tallest temple gopuram. The interesting fact about this temple is that the shadow of the gopuram does not fall on the ground. The Siva lingam is about 8 feet tall and 3 feet in diameter. It is a tourist attraction now. Many foreign tourists visit this temple. It is built of granite stone. 196

kings. He was a great conqueror. During his time, the Chola Empire extended upto Deccan in the north. He conquered Sri Lanka and south-east Asia also. Even now, Tamil culture can be seen in south- east Asian countries such as Malaysia, Cambodia, and Bali islands. He had the Bruhadeeswara temple built at Tanjavoor. It is the biggest temple in India. It is also one of the United Nations World Heritage sites in India. Krishnadevaraya (1509-1529 AD) He ruled over Vijayanagar during 1509-1529 AD. Hampi was the capital of his kingdom. The Vijayanagar Empire was built by the brothers Harihara and Bukka. The glory of Vijayanagar Empire reached its zenith during Krishnadevaraya’s rule. He was a brave warrior, an able administrator, and a lover of art and literature. In fact, he himself was a poet. He wrote the book Amuktamalayada. In his court, there was a team of scholars and writers called ‘Ashta Diggajas’, which literally translates to ‘8 gigantic elephants’. He was well versed in Telugu, Kannada, and Sanskrit. His empire covered the Krishnadevaraya 197

present Andhra Pradesh, part of Odisha, and Karnataka. Tirupati Balaji temple was reconstructed during his time. Harshavardhana (670 AD) Harsha’s empire extended through the entire northern plain, Gujarat, and Malwa plateau. The capital of his kingdom was Kanauj, which falls somewhere near the present Delhi. We get to know about Harsha’s administration from the Chinese monk Hiuen Tsang. During his time, the Nalanda University acquired international fame. Students from Central Asia, China, as well Harshavardhana as Europe came here seeking knowledge. It had about 10000 students. Harsha encouraged poets and scholars. Banabhatta was one of the scholars in his court who wrote Harsha Charita. Harsha himself was a poet and writer. He wrote the play Kadambari. Pritviraj Chouhan (1192 AD) Pritvitraj Chouhan is remembered for his valour and skills in warfare. He was the last Hindu king to rule Delhi. Chand Vardai, a poet in his court, and a close friend, wrote a book on him named ‘Pritviraj Raso’. In the book, he describes how Prithviraj became a prey to the conspiracy hatched by his rival Jaichand of Kanauj. Jaichand invited Mohmud Ghori to invade Delhi and kill Pritviraj. In the battle at Tharain, Pritviraj defeated Ghori. However, Ghori returned with a stronger army. In the second battle of Tharain, Pritviraj was killed, after which his queen performed ‘sati’. Ghori appointed his slave commander Kutbuddin Aibak as the ruler of Delhi. Thus began the Muslim rule in India. 198

Akbar (1556 - 1605 AD) Emperor Akbar is widely known as Akbar the Great. When we talk of Akbar, the first thing that comes to our mind is his religious tolerance and love for knowledge. He himself was not very educated, but he was always very keen on listening to learned people. He conquered many kingdoms and expanded his empire. Yet, he was a lover of peace. He made friends with many Rajput rulers, who accepted his overlordship, with the exception of Maharana Pratap, who fought till his death for his independent existence. Akbar founded a new religion, combining the essence of all the existing religions. It was called Din-e-Ilahi. Tansen, the world famous musician, was a poet in his court. Birbal, who was known for his wit and wisdom, was his courtier and friend. He built a new capital city called Fatehpur Sikri near Agra. There was a revival of Gandhara architecture during his time. • Panchatantra stories teach us many lessons. • One of these lessons is that we shouldn’t bring outsiders to settle domestic disputes. If we do that, the outsider will destroy both the parties and capture their assets. That is what happened in the case of Jaichand and Pritviraj too. • The same thing happened in the case of the British. Local rulers sought their help to take vengeance on their local rivals. • This led to the British becoming rulers of India. 199

Shah Jahan (1628-1658 AD) Shah Jahan is known as one of the greatest architects India has ever seen. He was the grandson of Akbar. During his rule, Deccan kingdoms including Bijapur, Golconda, and Ahmednagar were annexed to the Mughal Empire. Though he was a great warrior and a conqueror, he is best known as a lover of art and architecture. Kautalya’s Ardhasastra is a book on political science and financial management. It is still popular among students of Business management. Many monuments in Agra and Delhi were built during his time. Taj Mahal, an architectural marvel, is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is a World Heritage Site declared by the UN. He built a new city near Delhi and named it Shahjahanabad. The Red Fort in Delhi, Jama Masjid, and the Agra Fort are a few of his contributions to architecture in the country. He was imprisoned by his son Aurangazeb and was confined to Agra fort. While in prison, he lived watching the Taj Mahal, which was built in memory of his queen Mumtaz Mahal, till his death. Shah Jahan 200