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Life in the Deserts Class 7 Geography Chapter 7 CBSE Notes - 2025-26

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Geography Notes for Chapter 7 Life in the Deserts Class 7 - FREE PDF Download

Vedantu provides CBSE Class 7 Geography Chapter 7 Notes Life in the Deserts, which explores the unique environments of deserts and how life thrives in these harsh conditions. The chapter takes students on a journey through the Sahara and Ladakh, highlighting the adaptations of people, plants, and animals in these extreme landscapes.

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For a deeper understanding, students can refer to the CBSE Class 7 Social Science Syllabus to ensure they cover all essential topics. Additionally, the Revision Notes for Class 7 Geography provided by Vedantu will help in improving knowledge of key concepts, making exam preparation more effective.

Access Class 7 Geography Chapter 7 Notes Life in the Deserts

Overview

The desert is a barren region characterised by extremely high or low temperatures and has little vegetation. According to the temperatures, there may be hot or cold deserts.


The Hot Desert – Sahara

  • The Sahara is the largest desert on the globe.

  • It covers approximately 8.54 million sq. km. The Sahara desert is found in 11 countries: Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Sudan, Tunisia, and Western Sahara. 

  • In the Sahara Desert, there are gravel plains and upland plateaus with bare rock surfaces. 

  • These rock surfaces can reach over 2500 m in height in certain areas.


Climate

  • The climate of the Sahara desert is extreme, blazing, and arid. 

  • The rainy season is not long. The sky is clear without clouds. 

  • In this case, moisture evaporates more quickly than it accumulates. 

  • During the day, temperatures can rise to 50°C, warming the sand and bare rocks that in turn emit heat, making everything around warm. 

  • Nights can get chilly with temperatures close to zero degrees.


Flora and Fauna

  • In the desert of the Sahara, the vegetation includes cactus, date palms, and acacia. 

  • Some places have oasis – green islands surrounded by date palms. 

  • Camels, hyenas, jackals, foxes, scorpions, numerous varieties of snakes, and lizards are the main animal species that live here.


People

  • The Sahara Desert despite its harsh climate has been inhabited by diverse groups of people, who carry out different activities. 

  • These include the Bedouins and the Tuaregs. These groups are nomadic tribes rearing livestock such as goats, sheep, camels, and horses. 

  • These animals supply them with milk and skins from which they make leather for belts, slippers, and water bottles; the hair is used for mats, carpets, garments, and blankets. 

  • They wear heavy robes to protect themselves from dust storms and warm winds. The oasis in the Sahara and the Nile Valley in Egypt supports the colonised people. Given the availability of water, people grow date palms. 

  • They grow rice, wheat, barley, and beans as well. Egyptian cotton, known all over the world, is cultivated in Egypt. 

  • The discovery of oil, a product in high demand all over the world, in Algeria, Libya, and Egypt, is constantly changing the Sahara desert. 

  • Other important minerals found here include iron, phosphorus, manganese, and uranium. The cultural landscape of the Sahara is in a state of transformation. 

  • Trucks take the place of camels in the salt trade. Tuaregs are regarded as guides for foreign tourists.

  • An increasing number of nomadic herdsmen are taking their lives in the city to find jobs in oil and gas operations.


The Cold Desert – Ladakh

  • Ladakh is a cold desert situated in the great Himalayas, the eastern side of Jammu and Kashmir. 

  • It is surrounded by the Karakoram Range to the north and the Zanskar Mountains to the south. 

  • Many rivers cross Ladakh, among which the Indus is the most important. There are several glaciers in Ladakh, such as the Gangri Glacier. 

  • The altitude in Ladakh ranges from around 3000m in Kargil to over 8000m in Karakoram. 

  • Because of its high elevation, the climate is extremely cold and dry. The air at this elevation is so thin that the warmth of the sun can be felt intensely. 

  • Daytime temperatures in summer are slightly higher than zero degrees and nighttime temperatures are well below -30°C. 

  • Ladakh lies in the rain shadow of the Himalayas, because of which it receives little rain, as low as 10 cm each year. 

  • The area is characterised by freezing winds and warm sunshine.


Flora and Fauna

  • Because of the strong dryness, the vegetation is sparse. 

  • There are scanty patches of grasses and shrubs for animals to graze. 

  • Groves of willows and poplars are seen in the valleys. In summer, fruit trees like apples, apricots, and walnuts bloom. 

  • Robins, redstarts, Tibetan snowcock, raven, and hoopoe are sighted in Ladakh. Some are migratory birds. 

  • Ladakh animals include wild goats, wild sheep, yaks, and dogs from particular species. Livestock is raised for milk, meat, and leather.


People

  • The people of Ladakh are either Muslims or Buddhists. 

  • Several Buddhist monasteries dot the Ladakhi landscape with their traditional ‘gompas’. 

  • Well-known monasteries include Hemis, Thiksey, Shey, and Lamayuru. 

  • During the summertime, people grow barley, potatoes, peas, beans, and turnips. 

  • The winter climate is so severe that people indulge in celebrations and ceremonies. Women are not only employed at home and in the fields but also run small businesses and stores. 

  • Leh, the capital of Ladakh, has good road and air connections. 

  • Tourism is a major business with many tourists flocking from the interior of India and abroad. 

  • The lives of individuals are changing as a result of modernization. 

  • Throughout the centuries, the people of Ladakh have been taught to live in balance and harmony with nature. 

  • Because of the shortage of resources such as water and fuel, they are used reverently and carefully.


5 Important Topics of Geography Chapter 7 Life in the Deserts

S. No

Important Topics

1

The Sahara Desert

2

The Ladakh Desert

3

Climate and Physical Features of Deserts

4

Flora and Fauna Adaptations in Deserts

5

Human Life in Desert Regions


Importance of Class 7 Geography Chapter 7 Life in the Deserts

  • Revision notes help us quickly understand and remember key concepts before exams.

  • They save time by focusing on essential information and skipping unnecessary details.

  • These notes simplify complex topics, making them easier to understand and use.

  • They provide practical examples that show how theoretical knowledge is used in real-life situations.

  • Revision notes ensure thorough preparation by covering all important topics in a structured manner.

  • They increase confidence by clearly understanding what to expect in exams.

  • Accessible formats like PDFs allow for easy studying anytime and anywhere.


Tips for Learning the Class 7 Geography Chapter 7 Life in the Deserts

  • Focus on understanding the unique features of the Sahara and Ladakh deserts.

  • Memorise how plants, animals, and humans adapt to harsh desert conditions.

  • compare the Sahara and Ladakh deserts, focusing on their climate, vegetation, and ways of life.

  • Understand the specific survival strategies used by people, plants, and animals in each desert.

  • Learn important terms like 'oasis,' 'nomads,' and 'camouflage,' as they are crucial for understanding desert life.


Conclusion

Vedantu’s Revision Notes for Class 7 Geography Chapter 7 "Life in the Deserts" provide a clear and concise overview of the key concepts. These notes help students understand the unique characteristics of deserts like the Sahara and Ladakh, focusing on the adaptations of life in such harsh environments. By using these notes, students can effectively review important topics, such as climate, flora, fauna, and human life in deserts. These revision notes are an excellent resource for exam preparation, making complex topics easier to grasp and ensuring students are well-prepared. For a thorough understanding, students are encouraged to regularly review these notes alongside their textbook studies.


Related Study Materials for Class 7 Geography Chapter 7 Life in the Deserts


Chapter-wise Revision Notes Links for Class 7 Geography


Important Study Materials for Class 7 Social Science 


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FAQs on Life in the Deserts Class 7 Geography Chapter 7 CBSE Notes - 2025-26

1. What is the main concept to revise in Class 7 Geography Chapter 7, 'Life in the Deserts'?

The core concept is that deserts are defined by low rainfall and extreme temperatures, not just heat and sand. For revision, focus on the two contrasting types covered in the chapter: the hot Sahara desert in Africa and the cold Ladakh desert in the Great Himalayas. You should be able to summarise their distinct climates, flora, fauna, and human lifestyles.

2. What are the key points to remember about the Sahara desert for a quick revision?

For a quick summary, remember these points about the Sahara:

  • It is the world's largest hot desert, located in North Africa.
  • The climate is scorching hot and parched, with daytime temperatures soaring up to 50°C and cold nights.
  • Vegetation is sparse and adapted to dryness, including cactus, date palms, and acacia.
  • Human life, including groups like the Bedouins and Tuaregs, often revolves around oases and nomadic herding.

3. How can I summarise the main features of the Ladakh cold desert for my notes?

To summarise Ladakh, note that it is a cold desert located in the rain shadow of the Himalayas. Key revision points are:

  • Its high altitude (from 3,000m to over 8,000m) causes a thin atmosphere.
  • The climate is freezing cold and dry, with winter temperatures dropping below -40°C.
  • Despite the cold, direct sunlight can be very intense.
  • Fauna includes specially adapted animals like wild goats, wild sheep, and yaks, which are vital for the local population's survival.

4. How does the altitude of Ladakh create a different type of desert compared to the Sahara?

Altitude is the key differentiating factor. Ladakh's high location in the Himalayas places it in a rain shadow area, meaning mountains block rain-bearing clouds, which causes extreme dryness. This height also results in thin air and freezing temperatures. In contrast, the Sahara's lower altitude and geographical position lead to intense solar heating and a classic hot desert climate.

5. What is the most important difference to revise between life in the Sahara and Ladakh, besides the temperature?

A key difference to revise is the source of water and its impact on life. In the Sahara, life is concentrated around oases—fertile spots with underground water where crops like date palms are grown. In Ladakh, life heavily depends on water from melting glaciers during the brief summer, which allows for the cultivation of crops like barley and wheat in river valleys.

6. How do plants and animals adapt to survive in deserts, as summarised in this chapter?

Plants and animals have special features for survival. In hot deserts, cacti have waxy stems to store water and their leaves are reduced to spines to prevent water loss. In cold deserts, animals like the yak have thick fur and fat layers for warmth, and plants often grow low to the ground to shield themselves from harsh, cold winds.

7. Why is human life described as challenging in both hot and cold deserts?

Human life is challenging in both desert types primarily due to the scarcity of water, which limits agriculture and determines where people can settle. Furthermore, the extreme temperatures—scorching heat in the Sahara and freezing cold in Ladakh—demand significant adaptations in housing, clothing, and daily activities, making survival a constant effort.

8. What is a good way to structure my revision for the 'Life in the Deserts' chapter?

A helpful revision strategy is to first understand the general definition of a desert. Then, create a comparison table for the Sahara and Ladakh. For each desert, summarise the key points under these headings:

  • Location and Climate
  • Flora and Fauna (plants and animals)
  • People (their occupations and adaptations)
This comparative method helps you clearly recall the contrasting features during an exam.

9. Do all deserts consist of sand dunes? What does this chapter teach us about this idea?

No, this is a common misconception. As this chapter explains, deserts are defined by a lack of rainfall, not by the presence of sand. While the Sahara has vast stretches of sand dunes, it also features gravel plains and rocky plateaus. The Ladakh desert reinforces this concept as it is a cold desert characterised mainly by bare, rocky terrain and icy glaciers, not sand.