Rajasthan Geography is an important topic for the RPSC RAS exam. Here’s a comprehensive outline to help you study the key aspects of Rajasthan’s geography:

1. Location and Boundaries

Latitude and Longitude: Rajasthan lies between 23°3’N to 30°12’N latitude and 69°30’E to 78°17’E longitude.
Area: Rajasthan is the largest state in India, covering 342,239 sq. km (around 10.41% of India’s total area).
Boundaries: It shares its borders with Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. Internationally, it shares a border with Pakistan (1,070 km long).

2. Physiographic Divisions

The Aravalli Range: Divides the state into two parts – east and west.
Western Rajasthan: Known for the Thar Desert (also called the Great Indian Desert).
Eastern Rajasthan: Features fertile plains, plateau regions (e.g., Malwa Plateau), and the Hadoti region.
Luni River Basin: Major river in the western desert, flows through the Aravalli range towards the desert.

3. Climate

Desert Climate: The western part is arid to semi-arid, experiencing hot summers, cold winters, and low rainfall.
Sub-tropical Climate: The eastern region receives more rainfall and has a semi-arid to humid climate.
Monsoon: Rajasthan gets rainfall during the southwest monsoon (June to September), with annual average rainfall ranging from less than 100 mm in the desert to over 800 mm in southeastern parts.

4. Rivers and Lakes

Rivers:
- Chambal: Largest perennial river of Rajasthan, flows in the southeast.
- Banas: Flows through the Aravalli range.
- Luni: The main river of the Thar Desert.
- Ghaggar: Intermittent river flowing in the northern region.
Lakes:
- Sambhar Lake: India’s largest inland saltwater lake.
- Pushkar Lake: Sacred lake for Hindus.
- Jaisamand Lake: One of the largest artificial lakes in India.

5. Desert Region (Thar Desert)

Covers about 61% of Rajasthan.
Sand dunes, salt flats, and arid conditions dominate the landscape.
Flora and Fauna: The Desert National Park is home to species like the Great Indian Bustard, camels, and blackbucks.

6. Natural Vegetation

Thorn Forests: Found in arid western parts.
Dry Deciduous Forests: In the southeastern part, particularly around the Aravalli range.
Forest Coverage: Rajasthan has low forest cover (around 9% of its area).

7. Mineral Resources

Rajasthan is rich in minerals, especially:
- Marble (Makrana is famous for high-quality marble, used in the Taj Mahal).
- Limestone: Used in cement industries.
- Gypsum: Found in large quantities, used for plaster.
- Zinc and Lead: Major deposits in Zawar and Rampura Agucha.

8. Wildlife and Protected Areas

Ranthambore National Park: Famous for tigers.
Sariska Tiger Reserve: Tiger conservation area.
Keoladeo National Park: UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for migratory birds.
Desert National Park: Home to desert wildlife, including the Great Indian Bustard.

9. Agriculture

Crops: Major crops include wheat, barley, maize, bajra, mustard, and cotton.
Irrigation: Major irrigation projects like Indira Gandhi Canal (largest canal project in India) help supply water to arid regions.
Soils: Rajasthan has diverse soil types such as loamy soils, black soils, and desert soils.

10. Population Distribution

Urbanization: Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, and Udaipur are major urban centers.
Density: Population density varies widely, with low density in the desert and higher density in fertile eastern plains.

11. Tribes and Communities

Important tribes in Rajasthan include Bhils, Meenas, Garasias, and Sahariyas.

Studying these aspects thoroughly will help you in both the Prelims and Mains of the RPSC RAS exam.

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