Life in the Deserts Class 7 Notes: CBSE Geography Chapter 7 (Our Environment)

Overview

The desert is a barren region characterised by extremely high or low temperatures and has little vegetation. According to the temperatures, there may be hot or cold deserts.

The Hot Desert – Sahara

• The Sahara is the largest desert on the globe.

• It covers approximately 8.54 million sq. km. The Sahara desert is found in 11 countries: Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Sudan, Tunisia, and Western Sahara. 

• In the Sahara Desert, there are gravel plains and upland plateaus with bare rock surfaces. 

• These rock surfaces can reach over 2500 m in height in certain areas.

Climate

• The climate of the Sahara desert is extreme, blazing, and arid. 

• The rainy season is not long. The sky is clear without clouds. 

• In this case, moisture evaporates more quickly than it accumulates. 

• During the day, temperatures can rise to 50°C, warming the sand and bare rocks that in turn emit heat, making everything around warm. 

• Nights can get chilly with temperatures close to zero degrees.

Flora and Fauna

• In the desert of the Sahara, the vegetation includes cactus, date palms, and acacia. 

• Some places have oasis – green islands surrounded by date palms. 

• Camels, hyenas, jackals, foxes, scorpions, numerous varieties of snakes, and lizards are the main animal species that live here.

People

• The Sahara Desert despite its harsh climate has been inhabited by diverse groups of people, who carry out different activities. 

• These include the Bedouins and the Tuaregs. These groups are nomadic tribes rearing livestock such as goats, sheep, camels, and horses. 

• These animals supply them with milk and skins from which they make leather for belts, slippers, and water bottles; the hair is used for mats, carpets, garments, and blankets. 

• They wear heavy robes to protect themselves from dust storms and warm winds. The oasis in the Sahara and the Nile Valley in Egypt supports the colonised people. Given the availability of water, people grow date palms. 

• They grow rice, wheat, barley, and beans as well. Egyptian cotton, known all over the world, is cultivated in Egypt. 

• The discovery of oil, a product in high demand all over the world, in Algeria, Libya, and Egypt, is constantly changing the Sahara desert. 

• Other important minerals found here include iron, phosphorus, manganese, and uranium. The cultural landscape of the Sahara is in a state of transformation. 

• Trucks take the place of camels in the salt trade. Tuaregs are regarded as guides for foreign tourists.

• An increasing number of nomadic herdsmen are taking their lives in the city to find jobs in oil and gas operations.

The Cold Desert – Ladakh

• Ladakh is a cold desert situated in the great Himalayas, the eastern side of Jammu and Kashmir. 

• It is surrounded by the Karakoram Range to the north and the Zanskar Mountains to the south. 

• Many rivers cross Ladakh, among which the Indus is the most important. There are several glaciers in Ladakh, such as the Gangri Glacier. 

• The altitude in Ladakh ranges from around 3000m in Kargil to over 8000m in Karakoram. 

• Because of its high elevation, the climate is extremely cold and dry. The air at this elevation is so thin that the warmth of the sun can be felt intensely. 

• Daytime temperatures in summer are slightly higher than zero degrees and nighttime temperatures are well below -30°C. 

• Ladakh lies in the rain shadow of the Himalayas, because of which it receives little rain, as low as 10 cm each year. 

• The area is characterised by freezing winds and warm sunshine.

Flora and Fauna

• Because of the strong dryness, the vegetation is sparse. 

• There are scanty patches of grasses and shrubs for animals to graze. 

• Groves of willows and poplars are seen in the valleys. In summer, fruit trees like apples, apricots, and walnuts bloom. 

• Robins, redstarts, Tibetan snowcock, raven, and hoopoe are sighted in Ladakh. Some are migratory birds. 

• Ladakh animals include wild goats, wild sheep, yaks, and dogs from particular species. Livestock is raised for milk, meat, and leather.

People

• The people of Ladakh are either Muslims or Buddhists. 

• Several Buddhist monasteries dot the Ladakhi landscape with their traditional ‘gompas’. 

• Well-known monasteries include Hemis, Thiksey, Shey, and Lamayuru. 

• During the summertime, people grow barley, potatoes, peas, beans, and turnips. 

• The winter climate is so severe that people indulge in celebrations and ceremonies. Women are not only employed at home and in the fields but also run small businesses and stores. 

• Leh, the capital of Ladakh, has good road and air connections. 

• Tourism is a major business with many tourists flocking from the interior of India and abroad. 

• The lives of individuals are changing as a result of modernization. 

• Throughout the centuries, the people of Ladakh have been taught to live in balance and harmony with nature. 

• Because of the shortage of resources such as water and fuel, they are used reverently and carefully.

5 Important Topics of Geography Chapter 7 Life in the Deserts

Importance of Class 7 Geography Chapter 7 Life in the Deserts

• Revision notes help us quickly understand and remember key concepts before exams.

• They save time by focusing on essential information and skipping unnecessary details.

• These notes simplify complex topics, making them easier to understand and use.

• They provide practical examples that show how theoretical knowledge is used in real-life situations.

• Revision notes ensure thorough preparation by covering all important topics in a structured manner.

• They increase confidence by clearly understanding what to expect in exams.

• Accessible formats like PDFs allow for easy studying anytime and anywhere.

Tips for Learning the Class 7 Geography Chapter 7 Life in the Deserts

• Focus on understanding the unique features of the Sahara and Ladakh deserts.

• Memorise how plants, animals, and humans adapt to harsh desert conditions.

• compare the Sahara and Ladakh deserts, focusing on their climate, vegetation, and ways of life.

• Understand the specific survival strategies used by people, plants, and animals in each desert.

• Learn important terms like 'oasis,' 'nomads,' and 'camouflage,' as they are crucial for understanding desert life.

Conclusion

Vedantu’s Revision Notes for Class 7 Geography Chapter 7 "Life in the Deserts" provide a clear and concise overview of the key concepts. These notes help students understand the unique characteristics of deserts like the Sahara and Ladakh, focusing on the adaptations of life in such harsh environments. By using these notes, students can effectively review important topics, such as climate, flora, fauna, and human life in deserts. These revision notes are an excellent resource for exam preparation, making complex topics easier to grasp and ensuring students are well-prepared. For a thorough understanding, students are encouraged to regularly review these notes alongside their textbook studies.

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