संक्षेप में माउंटेन ऊँचे होते हैं एवं हिल या पहाड़ छोटे होते हैं। पहाड़ों पर आबादी रह लेती है जबकि ऊँचे माउंटेन्स पर सिर्फ शौकीन, पर्वतारोही व राष्ट्र के रक्षक सैनिक रहते हैं। मैदान (निचला) व पठार (ऊंचा) समतल भूूूभाग है।
HILLS AND MOUNTAINS
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, there is no official difference between hills and mountains but a lay man understands them to be different. Let us see how most of us consider the difference.
- Hills are raised lumpy pieces of land that are not large enough to be called mountains, and mountains are large lumpy pieces of land that are too large to be called hills. A hill is a landform that is elevated compared to the surrounding land. It has a distinct visible summit (शिखर). A mountain is a large landform and has a peak (चोटी).
- Hills are easier to climb than mountains. They are less steep and not as high as a mountain.
- A hill can be formed from faulting, erosion and movement and deposition of sediment by ice glaciers. A mountain is formed through shifting of tectonic plates or volcanism.
- A hill is usually below 2,000 feet or 600 meters. A mountain is usually above 2,000 feet or 600 meters.
- A hill is less steep. A mountain is steeper compared to hills.
- A hill can be man made. A mountain cannot be made by man.
- A hill is used by civilizations for settlement, it allows a better view of the surrounding area. It is also beneficial in terms of protection from intruders. A mountain cannot be used for civilization because of its elevated height and cold climates
- A hill reflects the climate of the area where it is; that is has more or less the same climate whereas higher elevation of mountains results in less heat being trapped near the peaks. This causes the temperature to be cold.
- Various plants grow on hills depending on the area and the minerals in the soil. Plants are scarce in mountains and are limited to the ones that grow only in cold climates such as Pines
- Animals that are found in surrounding areas of the hills can be found on the hills. Such animals cannot survive on mountains. The colder temperature of mountains allows for animals such as bears, mountain cats, cougars, foxes, etc.
PLATEAU & ITS DIFFERENCE FROM HILL OR MOUNTAINS
Plateaus (or, more correctly, plateaux) are usually smaller, uplifted, more or less flat areas, often between mountains and sometimes over the plains. They are uplifted portions of plains. But they are not necessarily flat like a table top, and can consist of many different landscapes such as cliffs and hills. The Tibetan plateau is an example.
- Some mountains are naturally growing while no plateau naturally are growing.
- Mountain and hills have peak while plateau have no peak.
- Plateau are open large land while mountains and hills are jic jac
- Drainage system of plateus is generally dendritic because of flat topography (rectangular drainage pattern are some time present on plateus due to joint planes). Drainage system of hills and mountains are controlled by structures and rock type so trellis, parallel, pinnate etc are common in mountain areas.
PLAINS
Plains are usually relatively extensive, more or less flat lowland areas that are frequently formed by meandering (घुमावदार) rivers over a long period of time.