Mountains 
        A mountain is a high landmass with sharply sloping surfaces. It is considerably higher than the surrounding areas. There is seldom a single mountain. They usually occur in chains or ranges extending over hundreds of kilometres.

  •    There are three types of mountains – Fold Mountains, Block Mountains and Volcanic Mountains.

       Fold Mountains – are created due to the internal movements in the earth. As a result of the cooling and contracting of the molten magma, the crust at several places -becomes eroded and fold are made.

      Block  Mountains – are created when large masses of  land are broken and displaced vertically.  The Rhine valley and the Vosges mountain are example of such a system of the change of land-mass.

      Volcanic Mountains are formed due to volcanic activity. Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa and Mount Fujiyama in Japan are some examples of volcanic mountains.

How mountains are useful
    Mountain are great tourist place and ideal for resorts, They are places for leisure, Some people like to ski; others like to do rock climbing. Some people visit the mountain just to enjoy the weather and admire it scenic beauty.

    Mountains help in the condensation of moisture and bring about rainfall. They also act as barriers against cold and hot winds.

    Mountains are a store-house of fresh water. Many river have their sources in mountain glaciers, for example the Ganga originates in the Gangotri glacier.

    Dam are built in mountainous areas and reservoirs are made to generate hydroelectricity. This water is also used for irrigation and for domestic and industrial purposes.

    Mountain slopes are terraced for farming. The forest slope provide rich pastures, fuel, fodder and other products.