# Aravalli Range > Mountain range in western India **Wikidata**: [Q626690](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q626690) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aravalli_Range) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/aravalli-range ## Summary The Aravalli Range is a mountain range in western India that stretches approximately 670 km across the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, and Delhi. It is one of the oldest fold mountain ranges in the world, dating back to the Precambrian era, and serves as a critical geographic feature that influences the climate, ecology, and water resources of northwestern India. The range acts as a natural barrier between the Thar Desert to the west and the fertile plains to the east, and contains several important river systems including the Banas River, Luni River, and Sabarmati. ## Key Facts - **Type**: Mountain range (geologic fold mountain) - **Location**: Western India, spanning multiple states - **States Traversed**: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Delhi - **Coordinates**: Latitude 24.5925°, Longitude 74.708333333333° - **Length**: Approximately 670 km - **Age**: Precambrian (one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world) - **Direction**: Northeast to southwest orientation - **Sitelink Count**: 52 - **Wikipedia Title**: Aravalli Range - **Wikidata Description**: Mountain range in western India - **Aliases**: Aravalli Mountains, Aravalli Hills - **Contains Rivers**: Banas River, Luni River, Sabarmati - **Country**: India (inception: August 15, 1947) - **Related Geographic Classification**: Mountain range — geographic area containing several geologically related mountains (sitelink_count: 121) ## FAQs **What is the Aravalli Range?** The Aravalli Range is a mountain range in western India that stretches across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, and Delhi. It is one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, with origins dating back to the Precambrian era, and serves as a natural barrier between the Thar Desert and the fertile plains of India. **Which Indian states does the Aravalli Range traverse?** The Aravalli Range passes through four Indian states: Rajasthan (north-western India, inception: March 30, 1949 / January 26, 1950), Gujarat (state of India, inception: May 1, 1960), Haryana (state in North India, inception: November 1, 1966), and Delhi (megacity and union territory of India). **What rivers originate from or flow through the Aravalli Range?** Three major rivers are associated with the Aravalli Range: the Banas River (a river in India), the Luni River (a river in India), and the Sabarmati (a river of India). These rivers are vital water sources for the regions they traverse. **How old is the Aravalli Range?** The Aravalli Range is one of the oldest fold mountain ranges in the world, with its formation dating back to the Precambrian era, approximately 1.8 to 2.1 billion years ago. This makes it older than the Himalayas. **What is the geographic significance of the Aravalli Range?** The Aravalli Range acts as a natural barrier between the Thar Desert to the west and the more fertile plains to the east. It plays a crucial role in influencing the regional climate, preventing desertification, and supporting diverse ecosystems. The range also serves as a watershed for several rivers that provide water for agriculture and drinking purposes. **What are the aliases of the Aravalli Range?** The Aravalli Range is also known as the Aravalli Mountains and the Aravalli Hills. ## Why It Matters The Aravalli Range holds immense significance for several reasons, making it a crucial geographic feature of India. First, as one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, it provides geologists with valuable insights into Earth's early geological history and the processes of mountain formation through folding. Its ancient origins make it a natural laboratory for studying Precambrian geology and tectonic movements. Second, the Aravalli Range plays a vital ecological role in northwestern India. The range acts as a natural barrier that checks the advance of the Thar Desert, one of the largest deserts in the world. Without this mountain barrier, desertification could potentially spread further into the fertile plains of India, affecting agriculture and water resources for millions of people. The forests and wildlife habitats along the range support biodiversity and maintain ecological balance in the region. Third, the Aravalli Range is crucial for water resource management in a region characterized by semi-arid to arid conditions. The rivers originating from or flowing through the range—the Banas, Luni, and Sabarmati—are lifelines for agriculture, industry, and domestic use in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and surrounding areas. These rivers feed dams, irrigation systems, and provide drinking water to millions of people. Fourth, the range has significant cultural and historical importance. It has been mentioned in ancient Indian texts and has been a witness to the rise and fall of civilizations. The hills and valleys of the Aravalli have been home to various tribes and communities for centuries, contributing to the rich cultural tapestry of western India. Finally, the Aravalli Range contributes to the economic development of the region through tourism, mining, and natural resource extraction. The minerals found in these mountains have supported industrial growth, while the scenic beauty of the range attracts tourists and adventure seekers. ## Notable For - **Oldest Mountain Range**: One of the oldest fold mountain ranges in the world, dating back to the Precambrian era - **Natural Desert Barrier**: Acts as a natural barrier preventing the spread of the Thar Desert into fertile plains - **Watershed Function**: Serves as a critical watershed for three major rivers (Banas, Luni, Sabarmati) - **Geographic Extent**: Stretches approximately 670 km across four Indian states - **Geological Significance**: Provides insights into early Earth geology and tectonic processes - **Ecological Diversity**: Supports diverse ecosystems and biodiversity in northwestern India - **Historical Significance**: Has been mentioned in ancient Indian texts and witnessed historical events - **Economic Importance**: Supports mining, tourism, and agricultural activities in the region ## Body ### Geographic Overview The Aravalli Range is a prominent mountain range located in western India, representing one of the most significant geographic features of the Indian subcontinent. The range extends approximately 670 km in a northeast to southwest direction, traversing the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, and the union territory of Delhi. The geographic coordinates of the range are centered at latitude 24.5925° and longitude 74.708333333333°, placing it in the heart of northwestern India. The range serves as a natural divide between the Thar Desert to the west and the more fertile Gangetic plain to the east. This positioning gives the Aravalli Range critical importance in determining the climate patterns and ecological conditions of the region. The mountains act as a barrier to the southwestern monsoons, causing precipitation on their eastern slopes while creating a rain shadow effect on the western side. ### Geological Characteristics The Aravalli Range is renowned for being one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, with origins dating back to the Precambrian era, approximately 1.8 to 2.1 billion years ago. This extraordinary age makes it older than the Himalayas, which are relatively young in geological terms (approximately 50 million years old). The range was formed through the process of folding, where tectonic forces caused the Earth's crust to buckle and uplift, creating the characteristic ridge-like appearance. The geological composition of the Aravalli Range includes various types of rocks, including quartzites, schists, and gneisses. These ancient rocks have been subjected to extensive weathering and erosion over billions of years, resulting in the rounded peaks and valleys seen today. The range's geology is of significant interest to geologists and earth scientists studying the early history of our planet. ### States and Regions Traversed The Aravalli Range passes through four major administrative regions of India: **Rajasthan**: The range enters Rajasthan from the northeast and traverses the state in a southwesterly direction. Rajasthan, a state in north-western India, has an inception date of March 30, 1949 (formation) and January 26, 1950 (as part of the Republic of India). The Aravalli Range is particularly significant in Rajasthan, where it provides crucial ecological services in an otherwise arid region. The cities of Jaipur (the capital) and Udaipur are located near the Aravalli Range. **Gujarat**: The range extends into Gujarat, a state of India with an inception date of May 1, 1960, after being carved out of the former Bombay State. In Gujarat, the Aravalli Range tapers off near the Gulf of Khambhat. The range's presence in Gujarat influences the state's water resources and agricultural patterns. **Haryana**: The northeastern extension of the Aravalli Range reaches into Haryana, a state in North India with an inception date of November 1, 1966. Haryana, which was carved out of Punjab, contains the northernmost portions of the range. The Aravalli hills in Haryana are less prominent but still significant for the region's geography. **Delhi**: The Aravalli Range's northeastern terminus is in Delhi, the megacity and union territory of India. Delhi has a long historical inception dating back to around 500 BCE. The Aravalli Ridge within Delhi is a prominent feature of the city's landscape, providing natural beauty and ecological benefits to the urban area. ### River Systems The Aravalli Range is associated with three major river systems that are vital for the water security of western India: **Banas River**: The Banas River is a river in India that originates from the Aravalli Range. It flows through Rajasthan and is an important tributary of the Chambal River. The Banas River basin covers a significant portion of eastern Rajasthan and provides water for irrigation and domestic use. **Luni River**: The Luni River is a river in India that originates from the western slopes of the Aravalli Range. It flows through Rajasthan and Gujarat before emptying into the Gulf of Khambhat. The Luni River is particularly important in the semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, where it supports agriculture and provides drinking water to local communities. **Sabarmati**: The Sabarmati is a river of India that originates from the Aravalli Range in Rajasthan and flows through Gujarat before joining the Gulf of Khambhat. The river passes through Ahmedabad, one of Gujarat's major cities, and is of significant economic and cultural importance to the region. ### Ecological Importance The Aravalli Range supports diverse ecosystems and biodiversity in northwestern India, which is otherwise characterized by semi-arid to arid conditions. The forests along the Aravalli Range include tropical thorn forests, dry deciduous forests, and scrub vegetation. These forests provide habitat for various species of flora and fauna, including several endangered and endemic species. The range acts as a green lung for the densely populated metropolitan areas of Delhi, Jaipur, and Ahmedabad, helping to mitigate air pollution and provide recreational opportunities for urban residents. The vegetation on the slopes helps prevent soil erosion and maintains the ecological balance of the region. ### Historical and Cultural Significance The Aravalli Range has played an important role in the history and culture of western India. The range has been mentioned in ancient Indian texts and scriptures, indicating its significance in early Indian civilization. The hills and valleys of the Aravalli have been home to various tribes and communities for centuries, including the Bhil and Mina tribes. Several historical forts and temples are located along the Aravalli Range, reflecting its strategic importance in medieval India. The range served as a natural defense line and influenced the settlement patterns and political boundaries of ancient and medieval kingdoms. ### Economic Contributions The Aravalli Range contributes significantly to the economy of western India through various means. The minerals found in the range, including marble, granite, and various industrial minerals, support mining activities and provide raw materials for construction and manufacturing industries. The tourism potential of the Aravalli Range is also significant, with its scenic landscapes, wildlife sanctuaries, and historical sites attracting both domestic and international tourists. The rivers originating from the Aravalli Range support agriculture in the region, which is a major contributor to the economies of Rajasthan and Gujarat. The irrigation water from these rivers enables the cultivation of crops in an otherwise water-scarce region. ### Related Geographic Entities The Aravalli Range is related to several other geographic entities mentioned in the source material. As a mountain range, it belongs to the broader classification of mountain ranges, which are geographic areas containing several geologically related mountains (sitelink_count: 121). The range is located within India, a country in South Asia that became independent on August 15, 1947, and is the world's seventh-largest country by area with a population exceeding 1.4 billion people. The range is connected to the following administrative entities: - Rajasthan (state in north-western India) - Gujarat (state of India) - Haryana (state in North India) - Delhi (megacity and union territory of India) ### Classification and Nomenclature The Aravalli Range is classified as a mountain range, which is defined as a geographic area containing several geologically related mountains. The range is known by three names: Aravalli Range (the primary name), Aravalli Mountains, and Aravalli Hills. The Wikipedia title for this entity is "Aravalli Range," and the Wikidata description is "Mountain range in western India." The entity has a sitelink count of 52, indicating its presence on 52 Wikipedia language editions. This moderate sitelink count reflects the regional significance of the range rather than global prominence, as compared to more internationally famous mountain ranges like the Himalayas or the Alps. ### Environmental Challenges and Conservation The Aravalli Range faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation, mining pressure, and urban encroachment. These activities have led to ecological degradation and loss of biodiversity in some areas. However, various conservation efforts are underway to protect the remaining forests and wildlife habitats along the range. National parks and wildlife sanctuaries have been established to preserve the unique ecosystems of the Aravalli. The Indian government and various non-governmental organizations are working to promote sustainable development and conservation in the Aravalli region. These efforts aim to balance economic development with environmental protection, ensuring that the Aravalli Range continues to provide its ecological and economic benefits to future generations. ## References 1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 2. BBC Things 3. Quora 4. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File