Geography of Assam - ADRE Study Notes
I. General Information about Assam
- Location: State of Northeast India. Strategically acts as a gateway to the rest of the Northeast.
- Capital: Dispur (part of Guwahati).
- Largest City: Guwahati.
- Number of Districts: 35 (as of April 11, 2025).
- State Animal: One-horned Rhinoceros (found primarily in Kaziranga National Park).
- State Bird: White-winged Wood Duck (found in wetlands and forests like Dibru-Saikhowa).
- State Flower: Foxtail Orchid (Kopou Phool).
- State Tree: Hollong (Dipterocarpus macrocarpus).
- Languages: Assamese (official), Bengali (widely spoken, especially in the Barak Valley), Bodo (official in Bodoland Territorial Region), and various other tribal languages.
- Major Ethnic Groups: Assamese, Bodo, various other indigenous tribal communities (Karbi, Dimasa, Mising, etc.), and a significant Bengali-speaking population (especially in the Barak Valley).
II. Physiography (Landforms) & Rivers
- Brahmaputra Valley:
- Fertile plains formed by the Brahmaputra River.
- Flows generally East to West.
- Creates fertile valley, prone to seasonal floods.
- Names of Brahmaputra:
- Tibet: Yarlung Tsangpo ("The Purifier")
- Arunachal Pradesh (India): Siang/Dihang
- Assam (India): Brahmaputra
- Bangladesh: Jamuna (after joining Teesta River)
- Length in India: Approx. 916 km.
- U-Turn Phenomenon: Makes a "U" turn due to Syntaxial bending of geologically young Himalayas.
- Barak Valley:
- Located in Southern Assam (includes Silchar's region).
- Distinct river system and topography.
- Barak River: Important river in southern Assam, flows towards Bangladesh.
- Hill Regions:
- Karbi Anglong Plateau: Central Assam, unique geology and biodiversity.
- Highest Peak in Karbi Plateau: Singhasan.
- Dima Hasao Hills (North Cachar Hills): Southern Assam, higher elevations, significant for biodiversity and rainfall.
- Highest Peak in Assam: Unnamed peak near Laike in Dima Hasao district.
- Lower Himalayan Foothills: Along the northern boundary.
- Barail Range: Natural border separating Assam from Nagaland and Manipur.
- Karbi Anglong Plateau: Central Assam, unique geology and biodiversity.
- Important Rivers and Tributaries:
- North Bank Tributaries: Siang/Dihang, Subansiri, Kameng (Jia Bhoroli), Manas, Sankosh.
- South Bank Tributaries: Lohit, Dibang, Dhansiri, Kopili, Dikhau, Bharalinarsi.
- Kolong River: A tributary of the Brahmaputra, originates in Nagaon district of Assam, flows through Nagaon, Morigaon, and Kamrup districts.
III. Climate & Rainfall
- Climate Type: Humid subtropical climate.
- Rainfall: High rainfall, significantly influenced by the monsoon. Crucial for agriculture (tea and rice).
- Bordoichila: Important pre-monsoon showers.
- Earthquakes: Assam is in a seismically active zone.
IV. Biodiversity & Environment
- Biodiversity Hotspot: Assam is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot.
- Forest Cover: Significant, including tropical moist deciduous, semi-evergreen, and some rainforest patches (e.g., Joypur).
- Tropical Rainforest in Assam: Dehing Patkai rainforest (Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts). Often called "Amazon of the East".
- National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries:
- Kaziranga National Park:
- UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed 1985).
- Largest population of one-horned rhinoceros.
- Located in Golaghat, Nagaon, Sonitpur, and Karbi Anglong districts.
- Manas National Park:
- UNESCO World Heritage Site, Project Tiger Reserve.
- Known for diverse wildlife including tigers, elephants, and golden langur.
- Located in Chirang, Baksa, and Kokrajhar districts (part of Bodoland Territorial Region). Borders Bhutan's Royal Manas National Park.
- Dibru-Saikhowa National Park:
- Known for wild water buffalo and feral horses.
- Located in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts.
- Nameri National Park:
- Known for birdlife and Jia Bhoroli River.
- Located in Sonitpur district.
- Orang National Park:
- "Mini Kaziranga" for its rhino population.
- Located in Udalguri and Sonitpur districts.
- Raimona National Park:
- Declared NP in 2021.
- Part of Bodoland, known for Golden Langur.
- Located in Kokrajhar district.
- Dehing Patkai National Park:
- Rainforest area. Declared NP in 2020/2021.
- Located in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts.
- Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park:
- Newest National Park (declared 2025).
- In Chirang and Kokrajhar districts (Bodoland Territorial Region).
- Important for Golden Langur and as a wildlife corridor.
- Key Wildlife Sanctuaries: Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary (high rhino density).
- Kaziranga National Park:
- Important Wetlands:
- Deepor Beel: Only Ramsar Site in Assam (near Guwahati, designated 2002, Kamrup Metropolitan District).
- Sonbill Lake: Largest wetland in Assam (Karimganj district), considered second-largest seasonal wetland in Asia.
V. Economy & Culture (Geographic Aspects)
- Tea Industry: Assam is the largest tea-producing state in India (approx. 50-55% of India's production).
- Oil and Gas: Significant reserves and refineries.
- Agriculture: Rice, jute, sugarcane are other important crops.
- Handloom & Handicrafts: Silk weaving (Muga, Eri, Pat) in places like Sualkuchi ("Manchester of Assam").
- Population Distribution: Primarily concentrated in the river valleys.
- Important Towns (Geographically Significant): Guwahati (major hub), Jorhat (cultural capital, tea), Dibrugarh (oil, tea), Tezpur (historical), Silchar (major town in Barak Valley).
VI. Borders & Strategic Location
- Indian States: Assam shares common boundaries with 7 Indian states:
- Arunachal Pradesh (North and Northeast)
- Nagaland (East)
- Manipur (East)
- Mizoram (South)
- Tripura (South)
- Meghalaya (South)
- West Bengal (West)
- International Borders: Shares borders with 2 international countries:
- Bhutan (North)
- Bangladesh (South/West)
- Not connected by border: Sikkim.
VII. Key Geographical Features & Facts to Remember
- Highest Peak: Unnamed peak near Laike in Dima Hasao.
- "Manchester of Assam": Sualkuchi (for its silk industry).
- Bhupen Hazarika Setu (Dhola-Sadiya Bridge): Constructed over the Lohit River.
- Jatinga: Famous for the mass suicide of migratory birds, located in Dima Hasao district.
- Sri Surya Pahar: Ancient archaeological site in Goalpara district.
- Total Districts on Brahmaputra River Bank: 21.
- Largest District (by area): Karbi Anglong (approx. 10,434 sq km).
- Smallest District (by area): South Salmara-Mankachar (approx. 568 sq km).
- Least Populous District (2011 census): Majuli.
- Average Height from Sea Level: 79.5 m.
Quiz Time! Test Your Knowledge
1. What is the state tree of Assam?
2. Manas National Park falls in:
3. Which of the following river doesn’t originate in the hills of Arunachal?
4. What is the length of the river Brahmaputra in India?
5. In which district the “Sri Surya Pahar” is located?
6. Which one is the highest peak in Assam?
7. When was Kaziranga inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site?
8. Brahmaputra, after joining Teesta River, is known as
9. Which forest is single-handedly planted by Jadav Payeng?
10. Total number of districts that are on the bank of Brahmaputra River is
11. The Bhupen Hazarika Setu (Dhola–Sadiya Bridge) is constructed over which river?
12. Which National Park in Assam is one of the last strongholds for the wild water buffalo?
13. Which of the following is not among the major birds found in Assam?
14. Assam has common boundary with how many Indian states?
15. Which of is the largest wetland in Assam?
16. Which of the following is associated with Bordoichila in Assam?
17. The Gai, a tributary to Brahmaputra is situated between:
18. The Brahmaputra, Irrawady and Mekong rivers originate in Tibet and flow through narrow and parallel mountain ranges in their upper reaches. Of these rivers, Brahmaputra makes a “U” turn in its course to flow into India. This “U” turn is due to
19. Which town is also known as the Manchester of Assam?
20. Which of the following places is the site of rain forest in Assam and in which District?
21. Which National Park in Assam is one of the last strongholds for the wild water buffalo?
22. The approximate share of Assam in India’s annual production of Tea is
23. Assam share international border with which of the following countries?
24. As per the data of the 2011 population census, the literacy rate in Assam is approximately
25. There is a coal mine in______
26. Keibul Lamjao National Park is located in which state?
27. How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are in Assam?
28. Assam’s proposed Chai-bagaan Time will have reference longitude of
29. Who is credited with the 1953 discovery of Golden Langur in Assam?
30. What is Assam’s position among all the Indian states, in terms of Elephant population?
31. The proposed Tipaimukh Dam is to be constructed over which river?
32. What is the IUCN Conservation status of Rhinoceros unicorns, the official state animal of Assam?
33. Which of the following geographical lines passes through the state of Assam?
34. Which is the smallest National Park in Assam?
35. What is the IUCN Conservation status of the Gee’s golden langur (or golden langur), an Old World monkey found in Assam and neighboring regions?
36. Oak Tasar a wild silkworm is found in which of the following district in Assam?
37. Which of the following is the highest hill range in Assam?
38. The total number of ramsar sites in Assam is
39. Which of the following river is known as Kameng in Arunachal Pradesh?
40. Swamp Deer has a sizeable population in which of the following protected area in Assam?
41. Which of the following is not connected by border of Assam?
42. In which of the following area in Assam iron ore deposits are found?
43. Which of the following is the highest peak in Karbi Plateau?
44. Tropical wet evergreen forests are predominantly found in which of the following protected areas?
45. Area wise the rank of Assam among north eastern states is
46. Jatinga, famous for mass suicide of migratory birds is located in which the following district?
47. As per 2011 census, the growth rate of population of Assam during the decade of 2001-2011 is
48. Which of the following cash crops is not produced in Assam?
49. The average height of Assam from sea level is
50. The tropical rainforests in Assam is ____ .
