---
title: "Physiographic division of the Nepal Himalaya"
subject: "Engineering Geology I"
chapter: 7
key: "semester_3/engineering_geology_i:physiographic-division-of-the-nepal"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/engineering_geology_i/physiographic-division-of-the-nepal
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Physiographic division of the Nepal Himalaya

Engineering Geology I · Chapter 7: Geology of Nepal

- Asked in: 2078 Kartik, 3 marks; 2076 Chaitra, 1.5 marks; 2074 Asoj, 3 marks; 2080 Baisakh, 2 marks; 2075 Asoj, 2 marks; 2069 Chaitra, 3 marks; 2074 Chaitra, 2 marks (asked 7 times)
- Video: [नेपाल को भुगोल || Geography Of Nepal - Himalayan Region , Mid-Hill Region & Tarai Region](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AK1zOCTs4vY) — KNK ADVISE
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/engineering_geology_i/physiographic-division-of-the-nepal
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/engineering_geology_i/chapter-7

## Question

Describe the physiographic divisions of the Nepal Himalaya (classify the Nepal Himalaya into its zones).

## Short answer

From south to north: Terai plain (60–300 m, alluvial); Siwalik (Churiya) range (300–1500 m) of weak rocks; Mahabharat range (1500–2700 m); Midlands (800–2500 m) with river valleys and basins; Higher Himalaya (4000–8848 m) with peaks and glaciers; and Inner (Trans) Himalaya (2500–5000 m) rain-shadow region.

## Answer

The Nepal Himalaya, about 800 km long and 150-250 km wide, is divided from south to north into the following **physiographic zones** (based on altitude and landform):

| Zone | Approx. altitude | Main features |
|---|---|---|
| Terai plain | 60-300 m | Flat alluvial plain, Indo-Gangetic plain |
| Siwalik (Churiya) range | 300-1500 m (up to 2000 m) | Youngest, low hills of weak rocks, with Dun valleys |
| Mahabharat range | 1500-2700 m (up to 3000 m) | Steep, continuous ridge of the Lesser Himalaya |
| Midlands (Pahad), Fore Himalaya | 800-2500 m | Hills, river valleys and basins (Kathmandu, Pokhara) |
| Higher (Great) Himalaya | 4000-8848 m | Snow-capped peaks, glaciers, Mt. Everest |
| Inner (Trans, Tibetan-Tethys) Himalaya | 2500-5000 m | Dry, rain-shadow region north of the Great Himalaya |

Altitude limits differ slightly between authors; the above are the common textbook ranges.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. From south to north the physiographic zones begin with:
   A. Higher Himalaya, Midlands, Terai
   B. Terai, Siwalik, Mahabharat, Midlands, Higher Himalaya, Inner Himalaya
   C. Siwalik, Terai, Tethys
   D. Mahabharat, Terai, Midlands
   Answer: B. The division is by altitude and landform. (Key point: Order)

2. The Terai plain lies at about:
   A. 1500-2700 m
   B. 4000-8848 m
   C. 60-300 m
   D. 2500-5000 m
   Answer: C. It is the flat alluvial Indo-Gangetic plain. (Key point: Terai altitude)

3. The Inner (Trans, Tibetan-Tethys) Himalaya is:
   A. A flat alluvial plain
   B. The youngest low hills
   C. A snow-capped zone with the highest peaks only
   D. A dry rain-shadow region north of the Great Himalaya
   Answer: D. It lies at about 2500-5000 m. (Key point: Inner Himalaya)

4. The Siwalik range is characterised by:
   A. Youngest low hills of weak rocks with Dun valleys
   B. High snow peaks
   C. Flat alluvium
   D. Dry rain shadow
   Answer: A. It is at about 300-1500 m. (Key point: Siwalik)

## Related in Engineering Geology I

- [Physiographic division; Siwalik and Higher Himalaya](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Aphysiographic-division-siwalik-and-higher) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 7
- [Physiographic and tectonic division of Nepal](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Aphysiographic-and-tectonic-division-of) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 7
- [Tectonic divisions of the Nepal Himalaya](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Atectonic-divisions-of-the-nepal) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 7, asked 4×
- [Tectonic division and Lesser Himalaya geology](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Atectonic-division-and-lesser-himalaya) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 7
- [Discontinuities and engineering problems in Nepal Himalaya](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Adiscontinuities-and-engineering-problems-in) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 7
- [Tectonic zones and major discontinuities](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Atectonic-zones-and-major-discontinuities) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 7, asked 2×

## Related in other subjects

- [Major discontinuity systems of Nepal Himalaya](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fengineering_geology_ii%3Anepal-discontinuity-systems) — Engineering Geology II, chapter 2, asked 12×
- [Why Nepal Himalaya is landslide-prone](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fengineering_geology_ii%3Anepal-landslide-prone) — Engineering Geology II, chapter 5
- [Factors causing hazards in Nepal Himalaya](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fengineering_geology_ii%3Anepal-himalaya-hazard-factors) — Engineering Geology II, chapter 5