On the given political outline map of the World (on page 25), seven geographical features have been marked as

Question

Q. On the given political outline map of the World (on page 25), seven geographical features have been marked as A, B, C, D, E, F and G. Identify any five with the help of the following information and write their correct names on the lines drawn near them : A. An area of 'extensive commercial grain farming' B. A terminal station of 'Trans-Siberian Railway' C. An area of 'nomadic herding' D. An area of 'commercial livestock rearing' E. A major sea port of Asia F. A major international airport of Europe G. A major shipping canal [Visually Impaired alternative in lieu of Q.29 - Answer any five: (29.1) Name a major area of 'extensive commercial grain farming' of South America. (29.2) Name the eastern terminal station of 'Trans-Siberian Railway'. (29.3) Name an area of 'nomadic herding' in Africa. (29.4) Name the major country of 'commercial livestock rearing' of South America. (29.5) Name the place where a major international airport is located in Japan. (29.6) In which country is Vancouver International Airport located ? (29.7) Name the shipping canal linking Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea.]

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Concept understanding — Plantation Crop Classification

Plantation Crop Classification – A First Look

Think of a farm you might have seen in a village – small fields, different crops in different seasons, maybe a family working together. Now imagine the opposite: a vast, single-crop estate stretching as far as the eye can see, owned by a company, employing hundreds of workers, and producing something that is sold not in the local market but shipped to another continent. That is a plantation.

Plantation crop classification is simply the way we group these large-scale, commercial crops based on their common features. It is not about botany (like whether a plant is a shrub or a tree). It is about how the crop is grown, managed, and used in the economy.

The Everyday Intuition

You already know some plantation crops without realising it. Tea, coffee, rubber, sugarcane, coconut, and cotton (in some forms) are all examples. What do they share?

They are grown on large, continuous areas of land – hundreds or thousands of hectares.
They require heavy investment – in machinery, irrigation, processing factories, and labour.
They are perennial (last for many years) or take a long time to mature – a rubber tree takes 7 years before it can be tapped.
The produce is processed on the farm itself or very close by – tea leaves are withered, rolled, fermented, and dried right at the estate.
The final product is export-oriented – it is sold in global markets, not just locally.

Note

In the NCERT textbook for Class 10 Geography (Chapter 4: Agriculture), plantation agriculture is described as a type of commercial farming where a single crop is grown on a large estate. The key phrase is "single crop" – you will not find a plantation growing both tea and rubber on the same estate.

The Precise Meaning

Plantation crop classification is a functional classification – it groups crops by their role in the agricultural system, not by their biological family. The NCERT textbook treats plantation crops as a sub-category of commercial crops, alongside food crops (like wheat and rice) and cash crops (like cotton and jute).

Here is how the classification works in practice:

By use: Beverage crops (tea, coffee), fibre crops (cotton, jute), industrial crops (rubber, sugarcane), and spice crops (pepper, cardamom) can all be plantation crops if grown on a large scale.
By climate: Most plantation crops are tropical or subtropical – they need high temperatures, plenty of rainfall, and no frost. Tea grows well on hill slopes; rubber needs a hot, wet lowland climate.
By labour intensity: Plantations are labour-intensive – they require a large, permanent workforce for planting, weeding, harvesting, and processing. This is different from subsistence farming where the family does all the work.

Why It Matters

Understanding this classification helps you see the bigger picture of India's economy and geography.

Regional specialisation: Plantation crops are not grown everywhere. Tea is concentrated in Assam, West Bengal (Darjeeling), and the Nilgiris. Coffee is in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. Rubber is mainly in Kerala and parts of the Northeast. This creates distinct economic regions.
Export earnings: India is a major exporter of tea, coffee, and spices. Plantation crops contribute significantly to foreign exchange. …

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This solution identifies five key geographical features and economic activities based on their descriptions, covering agricultural practices, transportation infrastructure, and urban centers. The identified features are the Pampas of Argentina, Vladivostok, the Sahara Desert, Argentina, and Tokyo.

The question requires identifying specific geographical features or regions based on their characteristic economic activities or their role in global transportation networks. This tests your knowledge of world economic geography, including the distribution of agricultural systems, major transport routes, and significant urban infrastructure. To answer accurately, it's essential to recall the typical locations associated with each description. For instance, extensive commercial grain farming is common in temperate grasslands, while nomadic herding is found in arid regions.

Here are the identifications for five of the given features:

An area of 'extensive commercial grain farming' in South America:
- Concept: Extensive commercial grain farming is characterized by large-scale cultivation of grains, primarily for sale in the market. It involves significant mechanization, low labor input per unit area, and often focuses on a single crop like wheat or maize. This type of farming thrives in temperate grassland regions with fertile soils and moderate rainfall, where vast tracts of land are available.
- Identification: In South America, the Pampas region of Argentina is a prime example. This vast, fertile plain is ideally suited for large-scale wheat and maize cultivation, making Argentina a significant global exporter of these grains.
A terminal station of 'Trans-Siberian Railway':
- Concept: The Trans-Siberian Railway is one of the longest railway lines in the world, connecting European Russia with the Russian Far East. Understanding its terminals is crucial for grasping its immense geographical extent and strategic importance in linking the western and eastern parts of Russia.
- Identification: The Trans-Siberian Railway originates in Moscow (its western terminal) and stretches across the vast expanse of Siberia to its eastern terminal on the Pacific coast. This eastern terminal is Vladivostok.
An area of 'nomadic herding' in Africa:
- Concept: Nomadic herding, also known as pastoral nomadism, is a traditional subsistence activity where herders move with their livestock (such as cattle, sheep, goats, or camels) from place to place in search of pasture and water. This practice is typically found in arid, semi-arid, mountainous, or tundra regions where settled agriculture is challenging due to environmental constraints.
- Identification: In Africa, vast areas are suitable for nomadic herding. A prominent region is the Sahara Desert and its surrounding semi-arid zones (like the Sahel), where various indigenous groups, such as the Tuareg, have historically practiced nomadic herding.
A major country of 'commercial livestock rearing' of South America: …

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Same / Similar Concept — real previous-year questions on the same or a closely similar concept, not this exact question.

CBSE 2025Set 64/4/11 markMCQ
$Q. Read the following features and identify the crop. • It is a tropical plantation crop and has three varieties. • Karnataka alone accounts for more than two-third of its total production of India. • It is grown in the highlands of Western Ghats in Karnataka and Kerala. Crop : (A) Sugarcane (B) Tea (C) Coffee (D) Cotton$
›Reveal solutionSolution

The crop is Coffee, a tropical plantation crop grown primarily in Karnataka's Western Ghats highlands, with three main varieties cultivated in India.

India's plantation agriculture developed distinctly in regions where climate, altitude and colonial influence converged. Plantation crops differ from food crops in that they require processing before reaching the market, are grown on large estates, and typically demand specific ecological conditions. The crop described here fits a very particular profile within this category.

The first clue lies in the tropical plantation classification combined with three varieties. While several crops meet the tropical requirement, the mention of three distinct varieties narrows the field considerably. Coffee cultivation in India revolves around three main types: Arabica, Robusta, and to a much smaller extent, Liberica. Arabica thrives at higher altitudes with cooler temperatures, while Robusta prefers warmer, humid conditions at lower elevations. This varietal distinction is central to Indian coffee geography.

Karnataka's overwhelming dominance—accounting for more than two-thirds of national production—is the decisive indicator. The state produces roughly 70% of India's coffee, with districts like Chikmagalur, Coorg (Kodagu), and Hassan forming the heartland of cultivation. This concentration is unmatched by any other crop among the options. Sugarcane production, for instance, is spread across Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu with no single state holding such a commanding share. Tea production is divided between Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Cotton grows across multiple states from Gujarat to Maharashtra to the Deccan plateau.

The highland location in the Western Ghats of Karnataka and Kerala clinches the identification. Coffee plantations cluster in the Malnad region of Karnataka and the Wayanad-Idukki belt of Kerala, typically between 600 and 1,600 meters above sea level. These slopes receive heavy monsoon rainfall, provide excellent drainage, and offer the shade and moderate temperatures coffee plants require. The Western Ghats create a unique microclimate—mist-laden, forested hillsides where coffee grows under a canopy of taller trees. …
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CBSE 2024Set 64/3/11 markMCQ
$Q. Which one of the following types of agriculture is concerned with the production of a single crop ? (A) Intensive subsistence agriculture (B) Plantation agriculture (C) Mixed farming (D) Mediterranean agriculture$
›Reveal solutionSolution
Plantation agriculture is a commercial farming system characterized by large estates dedicated to the production of a single cash crop for export.

Agriculture encompasses a wide array of practices, each shaped by factors like climate, terrain, technology, and economic objectives. Understanding these different types helps us appreciate the diverse ways humans interact with the land to produce food and other goods. The question asks about a specific characteristic: the production of a single crop. Let us examine the options to identify which agricultural type fits this description.

Plantation agriculture is a form of commercial farming where a single crop is grown on a large estate or plantation. These farms are typically capital-intensive, requiring significant investment in machinery, infrastructure, and labor. The primary goal is to produce a high yield of a specific cash crop, such as tea, coffee, rubber, cocoa, sugarcane, bananas, or cotton, primarily for export to distant markets. This focus on a single crop, known as monoculture, allows for specialized cultivation techniques and economies of scale, but it also makes the system vulnerable to pests, diseases, and market fluctuations.

Important

The defining feature of plantation agriculture is its reliance on monoculture – the cultivation of a single crop over a large area – primarily for commercial purposes and export.

Let's consider the other options:

Intensive subsistence agriculture is practiced in regions with high population density, particularly in monsoon Asia. Farmers cultivate small plots of land using simple tools and a lot of manual labor. The primary objective is to produce enough food for the farmer's family, with little or no surplus for sale. This type of agriculture often involves growing multiple crops, such as rice, wheat, pulses, and vegetables, on the same plot or in rotation, to ensure food security throughout the year. It is not focused on a single crop. …
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CBSE 2023Set 64/1/11 markMCQ
$Q. Which among the following is the largest region of 'commercial dairy farming' ? (A) North Western Europe (B) Canada region (C) New Zealand region (D) South Eastern Australia$
›Reveal solutionSolution
North Western Europe is historically and currently the largest and most intensive region for commercial dairy farming due to its favourable climate, dense population, and advanced agricultural practices. The correct option is (A).

Commercial dairy farming involves raising dairy animals, primarily cows, for the production of milk and dairy products on a large scale for commercial sale. This type of farming thrives in regions with specific characteristics:

Temperate Climate: Suitable for pasture growth and comfortable for dairy cattle.

High Rainfall: Ensures lush pastures and water availability.

Proximity to Markets: Dense populations provide a ready demand for fresh milk and dairy products.

Advanced Infrastructure: Good transport networks, processing facilities, and technological support are crucial for efficient production and distribution.

Let's examine the given options in this context:

North Western Europe: This region, encompassing countries like the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Ireland, is historically the cradle of modern commercial dairy farming. It possesses an ideal temperate maritime climate with ample rainfall, leading to excellent pasture conditions. The region also has a very high population density, providing a massive domestic market, and highly developed infrastructure for processing and distribution. Dairy farming here is often intensive, with high yields per animal and advanced genetic breeding. Collectively, this region represents a vast area with a long-established and highly concentrated dairy industry, making it a strong contender for the largest region.

Canada Region: Dairy farming is significant in parts of Canada, particularly in the eastern provinces like Ontario and Quebec. However, large parts of Canada experience harsh winters, which necessitate indoor housing and feed supplementation for much of the year, increasing costs. While important locally, it is not generally considered the largest global region for commercial dairy farming compared to the other options. …
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