Bihar map- Geography of bihar

Geography of Bihar

Introduction to Bihar

In this article, I will discuss the geography of Bihar along with its administrative zones, climate, soils types river, etc. After reading this article on Bihar Geography, you will easily understand some of the basic information about Bihar, which is very important for the exam perspective like BPSC and BSSC.

Geographically, Bihar is located in the eastern region of India. It is a land-locked state having boundaries with three Indian states namely Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and West-Bengal. Bihar shares its border with Nepal in the north, Uttar Pradesh in the west, Jharkhand in the south and West Bengal in the south.

Average altitude- 52.73m above the mean sea level.

Bihar Location and Extent

Sr. No.AttributesFacts
1.The latitudinal extent of Bihar24⁰ 20ꞌ 10″ N- 27⁰ 31ꞌ 15ꞌꞌ N.
2.The longitudinal extent of Bihar83⁰ 19ꞌ 50″ E-88⁰ 17ꞌ 40″ E.
3.Geographical area94163 km².
4.North-South extension in km345km.
5.East-West extension in km483km.
6.Average altitude52.73m above the mean sea level.
7.Geographical Borders of BiharNorth- Nepal
South- Jharkhand
East- west Bengal
West- Uttar Pradesh
8.Official Languages1. Hindi.
2. Urdu.
9.Easternmost DistrictKishanganj.
10.Westernmost DistrictKaimur.
11.Northernmost DistrictWest Champaran.
12.Southernmost DistrictGaya.
Important facts of Bihar

Borders of Bihar

Borders
Districts
Districts sharing the borders
with Nepal
West Champaran, East Champaran, Sitamarhi,
Madhubani, Supaul, Araria and Kishanganj.
Districts sharing the borders
with Uttar Pradesh
West Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran,
Bhojpur, Buxar and Kaimur.
Districts sharing the borders
with West Bengal
Kishanganj, Purnia and Kathiar.
Districts sharing the borders
with Jharkhand
Rohtas, Aurangabad, Gaya, Nawada, Jamui,
Banka, Bhagalpur and Katihar.
Districts sharing the borders
with Nepal and West Bengal
Kishanganj.
District sharing the borders
with Patna
Vaishali, Saran, Bhojpur, Arwal, Jehanabad,
Nalanda, Lakhisarai, Begusarai and Samastipur.
Borders of Bihar
Bihar's political map
Diagram-1. Political map of Bihar

Administrative divisions of Bihar

Administrative zone in bihar map
Diagram-2. Administrative divisions of Bihar
Divisions

Headquarter

Districts

TirhutMuzaffarpurMuzaffarpur,
East Champaran,
West Champaran,
Sitamarhi,
Vaishali
and Sheohar.
SaranChapraSaran,
Siwan
and
Gopalganj.
PatnaPatnaPatna,
Bhojpur,
Bhabhua,
Rohtas,
Buxar
and Nalanda.
MagadhGayaGaya,
Jehanabad,
Arwal,
Aurangabad
and Nawada.
MungerMungerMunger,
Begusarai,
Khagaria,
Lakhisarai,
Jamui
and
Sheikhpura.
BhagalpurBhagalpurBhagalpur
and Banka.
PurniaPurniaPurnia,
Katihar,
Araria
and
Kishanganj.
KosiSaharsaSaharsa,
Madhepura
and Supaul.
DarbhangaDarbhangaDarbhanga
and
Madhubani.
Administrative zone and districts of Bihar

You can download the maps used in this article under the section of the geography of Bihar maps at the end of this page.

Physiographic division of Bihar

Geologically, Bihar consists of both the younger and older formation of rocks ranges from the Tertiary Period to Pre-Cambrian Period. The plains of Bihar have come into existence by the sediments deposited by the rivers. Geographically, Bihar is bounded by the Himalayan foothills, the Indo-Gangetic plains, the Vindhyan plateau and the Gondwana Basin. Based on the physical and structural conditions, Bihar is divided into three physiographical units.

  • The Shivalik Ranges or Shiwalik Ranges.
  • The Bihar plains.
  • Southern Plateau regions.
Physiography of Bihar
Diagram-3. Physiographic Division of Bihar
Geology of bihar map
Diagram-4. Geological distribution of Bihar

Read a complete article on the Mountain Himalaya, its ranges etc. at Geography4u/Mountain Himalaya.

Its also covers about Shiwalik, Great Himalaya and Middle Himalaya etc.

Best books for BPSC

The Shiwalik Range in Bihar

  • The Shiwalik range is located in the north-western part of West Champaran.
  • It spreads over an area of 32km in length and 6-8km in width.
  • Based on the local variations of topography, it can be further divided into the following parts.

Someshwar Range

Sr. No.FactsFeatures
1.ExtentFrom the mouth of Triveni canal
up to Bhikhna Thori pass.
2.BorderIt forms a boundary between
India and Nepal.
3.Highest PointSomeshwar Fort (874m).
Someshwar range in Bihar

Ramnagar Dun

Sr. No.FactsFeatures
1.Extent214km2
2.LocationSouthern side of
Someshwar Hills
marked by broken
Hilly region.
3.Highest PeakSantpur Peak (240m).
Ramnagar Dun of Bihar

Harha valley

Sr. No.FactsFeatures
1.Extent24km in length.
2.LocationBetween Ramnagar Dun
and
Someshwar Range
of Bihar.
3.Commonly known asValley of Barha River.
Harha valley of Bihar

Bihar Plains

The Ganga river flows from west to east in Bihar, dividing the state into two unequal halves namely North Bihar plains and South Bihar plains. The plains of Bihar are formed by the silt carried by the Ganga and its tributaries. They are spread over an area of 45000km2.

The North Ganga plains

North Bihar consists of the plains of alluvium north of Ganga, falling between the Ganga and Indo-Nepal border. Generally, the slope of north Bihar is from northwest to southeast. Also, this region has been drained by the rivers of north Bihar.

Plains of North Bihar
Diagram-5. North Bihar Plains
Facts
Characteristics
LocationNorthside of Ganga.
Extent1. Spread over the whole of
Tirhut, Saran, Darbhanga
and Kosi division.
2. Ghaghra-Gandak Doab
in the west
to Mahananda valley
in the east.
Drainage areaGhaghra, Gandak, Bhagmati,
Kamla,
Kosi and Mahananda rivers.
Marked byChuar formation (Oxbow lakes)
The Northern Plains of Bihar

You can read a complete article on rivers of Bihar at the link below.

geography4u/rivers in bihar

The South Ganga Plains

In terms of the geographical area of Bihar, the South Bihar is spread over 40,070km2. In terms of percentage, it accounts for 42.7% of the total area of Bihar. Demographically, it supports 36.5% of the state’s population. Also, this area is administered under the Magadh, Patna, parts of Munger and Bhagalpur administrative divisions.

The eastern portion of the alluvial plains of South Bihar is interrupted by the Kharagpur Hills. The south plains of Bihar are wider in the west and narrower in the east. Moreover, the western portion of this alluvial plain slopes from southwest to northeast. On the other hand, central and eastern parts of the plain slopes from south to north. The hills of Rajgir have an elevation of 445m. While the Kharagpur range has an elevation of 300m above the mean sea level.

Plains of South Bihar
Diagram-6. South Bihar Plains
FactsCharacteristics
Extension1. From the Ganga up to
Chhota Nagpur Plateau.
2. Smaller than North Bihar Plains.
ShapeTriangular in shape.
Important HillsBarabar Hills, Rajgir Hills,
Giriak Hills,
Kharagpur Hills
(in the districts of Jehanabad,
Nalanda and Munger).
ElevationHigher in the south
and slopes towards Ganga.
South Ganga plains of Bihar

South Hilly region of Bihar

  • The south Hilly region of Bihar is marked by hills and ridges.
  • Geographically, it extends from the Kaimur district in the west to the Banka district in the east.
  • Geologically, this region is made up of hard rocks of Genesis, Schist, and Granite.
  • The important hills of this region are Pretshila, Jethian, Ramshila, etc.

Soils of Bihar

Being an agriculture-dominant state, the people of Bihar obtain their livelihood from agriculture. Based on the composition, regional distribution, and features, the soils in Bihar are divided into the soils of North Bihar Plains and South Bihar Plains.

Soils of North Bihar

  • Piedmont Swamp Soil.
  • Terai Soil.
  • Recent Alluvium Soil- Khadar and Bhangar.

Soils of South Bihar

  • Old Alluvium Soil.
  • Tal Soil.
  • Balthar Soil.
  • Red Sandy Soil.

Important soils of Bihar

Types
of
Soil
District

Crops

Chemical
Properties
BaltharKaimurJowar,
Bajra,
Arhar
Sandy,
Calcareous
and
Yellow.
Bal
Sundari
Saharsa,
East and
West
Champaran
Sugarcane,
Wheat,
Maize
and
Tobacco.
Lime
and
Alkaline.
BhangarPatna,
Gaya
and Rohtas
Jute,
Sugarcane
and
Arhar.
Acidic,
Rich
in Lime.
KhadarMuzaffarpur,
Purnia,
Saharsa,
Darbhanga,
Bhagalpur
Wheat,
Rice,
Gram
and
Maize.
Dark brown
and
fertile.
TalPatna,
Munger
Pulses,
Oilseeds
and
Wheat.
Heavy soil.
TeraiWest
Champaran
Sugarcane,
Jute
and Rice
Sandy and
calcareous,
Brown and
light yellow
Source- Economic survey of Bihar

Climate in Bihar

The climate of Bihar is characterized by a humid and subtropical climates. There are three distinct seasons in Bihar (Summer season, Winter Season and Rainy Season). Annual average temperature ranges between 8C in cold winters during December- February to 38C in the hot summer month during April- June.

Agro-Climatic zones of Bihar

The following are the agro-climatic zones of Bihar.

  • North-West zone, consisting 13 districts with an annual rainfall of 1040mm-1450mm.
  • North-East zone, covering 8 districts having annual rainfall of 1200mm to 1700mm and loam or clay-loam soil.
  • South Zone covering, 17 districts, having soil of sandy loam, loamy, clayey or clay-loam and rainfall of 990mm to 1300mm.

Out of the three zones, the north-east zone receives high annual precipitation. Also, the precipitation in this zone is more than 80% during the Kharif season.

Read a full article on types of rainfall and precipitation at – Geography4u/precipitation and rainfall

Frequently asked questions

  1. Which is the largest district of Bihar in terms of area?

    West Champaran in Tirhut Division is the largest district of Bihar, having a total geographical area of 5228 sq. km.Bihar geography- Map of Bihar

  2. Which is the smallest district of Bihar in terms of area?

    Sheohar in the Tirhut Division is the smallest district of Bihar, having a total geographical area of 443 sq. km.

  3. Which is the largest river in Bihar?

    The Ganges (445km).

  4. Which is the state animal of Bihar?

    state animal of bihar-ox

    Ox is the state animal of Bihar.

  5. Which is the state bird of Bihar?

    state bird of bihar- sparrow

    Sparrow is the state bird of Bihar.

  6. Which is the Highest place in Bihar?

    The Someshwar Fort (874m).

  7. Which districts had the maximum rainfall in Northern Bihar in 2019?

    Kishanganj (1581mm), Siwan (1403mm), and Araria (1310mm) (According to rainfall trends of Bihar in 2019).

  8. Which districts had the least rainfall in Southern Bihar in 2019?

    Sheikhpura (580mm), Arwal (545.6mm).

  9. Name the river which is commonly known as Sorrow of Bihar.

    Kosi River.

  10. Which are the flood-prone districts of Bihar?

    floods in bihar map

    Out of 38 districts, there are 28 districts in Bihar which are flood-prone. These districts have been represented in the map above.

  11. What is the Holy Festival of Bihar?

    Chhath Puja

Geography of Bihar maps

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