Eastern and Western Coastal Plains
The differences and comparison between Eastern and Western Coastal Plains are discussed below:
- The Eastern Coastal plain lies along the east coast of India and is washed by the Bay of Bengal.
But the Western Coastal Plain lies along the west coast of India and is washed by The Arabian Sea.
- The East Coast plain runs smoothly from the north to the south with a broad plain and level surface.
But the West Coast plain also runs from the north to the south and it is in some places intersected by the mountain ridges.
- Eastern Coastal Plain is broader than the West Coast plain. The width varies from 80 to 100 km.
But the Eastern Coastal Plain is narrow with a width of 50 to 65 km. In some places it is so narrow that the Western Ghats touch the Sea water.
- The large rivers make wide deltas on the Eastern Coastal Plains.
But the short swift rivers do not make any deltas on the West Coast.
- The Eastern Coast is sandy with alluvium and slopes gently towards the sea. Sand dunes and marshy lands are also found. In some Coastal strips lagoons (Chilka, Pulicat) are formed.
But the Western Coast is relatively rocky with sand and sand dunes. It slopes abruptly down to the sea. There is no lagoon on the northern part. It has many estuaries on the Konkon Coast. But the southern part especially the Malabar Coast has the beautiful scene of back-water country with a series of lagoons.
- The Eastern Coast is smooth and unfit for making ports. So, very few ports are developed there.
But the Western Coast is broken and indented and suitable for ports. For this, a large number of ports are there.
- This Coastal plain receives comparatively low rainfall.
But the Western Coastal plain receives heavy rainfall.
- The East Coast Plain is formed by fine alluvial soil and is fertile especially on the deltas. Consequently agriculture is developed. The West Coast Plain lies along the west coast of India and is washed by the Arabian Sea.
But the West Coast Plain is formed by coarse grained soil. It is infertile and agriculturally not prosperous except in the Malabar Coast.
