GeographyISC Class 11 · Map Work

Mountains and Plateaus: Mark and Label (ISC Class 11 Geography Map Work)

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

ISC map work asks you to mark and label 18 mountain ranges and 10 plateaus on a world outline map, using only the syllabus list. Draw ranges as lines or ridges along their real direction and shade plateaus lightly; write each name beside the feature and place it by continent, coast and neighbouring feature.

Understand Mountains and Plateaus: Mark and Label

Marking rules. Mark means you draw the feature yourself and write its name; use a neat line for a range, light shading for a plateau, and avoid shading oceans or lowlands.

Mountains by continent.

Asia: Himalayas (arc across northern India, Nepal, Bhutan, south of the Tibetan Plateau); Hindukush (Afghanistan and northern Pakistan, south-west from the Pamirs); Elburz (northern Iran, south of the Caspian); Zagros (western and south-western Iran by the Persian Gulf); Kirthar (Pakistan, west of the lower Indus); Caucasus (between the Black Sea and the Caspian); Urals (Russia, north to south, boundary of Europe and Asia); Greater Khingan (north-eastern China); Kunlun (western China, north of the Tibetan Plateau).
Europe: Alps (arc across south-eastern France, Switzerland, northern Italy, Austria); Pyrenees (France-Spain border); Carpathians (curve from Slovakia and southern Poland to Romania); Kjolen (Norway-Sweden border).
Africa: Drakensberg (south-east South Africa and Lesotho).
Americas and Australia: Rockies (western North America, north-west to south-east); Appalachian (eastern USA); Andes (western South America); Great Dividing Range (eastern Australia).

Plateaus. Tibetan Plateau (north of the Himalayas, highest and largest); Pamirs (roof of the world, in Tajikistan where several ranges meet); Iranian Plateau (between Zagros and Elburz); Anatolian Plateau (central Turkey); Arabian Plateau (between the Red Sea and Persian Gulf); Deccan Plateau (peninsular India); Ethiopian Plateau (north-east Africa); West Australian Plateau; Guiana Highlands (north of the Amazon); Brazilian Plateau (south of the Amazon basin).

Mountains and Plateaus: Mark and Label: key facts

Mountains: Asia 9
Europe 4
Africa 1
Americas and Australia 4; Total 18.
Plateaus: Tibetan
Pamirs
Iranian
Anatolian
Arabian
Deccan
Ethiopian
West Australian
Guiana
Brazilian; 10 plateaus.
Marking: Ranges: line
Plateaus: light shading
Names beside, not across other features
Anchor features: Himalayas south of Tibet
Caucasus Black Sea to Caspian
Urals Europe-Asia boundary

Himalayas	south of Tibet
Caucasus	Black Sea to Caspian
Urals	Europe-Asia boundary

How to answer Mountains and Plateaus: Mark and Label questions

A map question usually lists several items; each correct, neat marking earns a mark.

1Anchor each feature to a continent, coast or neighbour.
2Draw ranges along their real direction as thin lines or ridges.
3Shade plateaus lightly and write names legibly.
4Check you used only syllabus names and did not shade oceans.

Mountains and Plateaus: Mark and Label in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Which range is it?

Suppose a map shows a range between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea.

Name it and the continent boundary region.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

A range between those two seas is the Caucasus.
It lies between south-east Europe and Asia.

Answer: The Caucasus.

Memory hook: Between two seas.

Plateau by position

Suppose a high plateau lies north of the Himalayas and south of the Kunlun.

Name it.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

North of the Himalayas and south of Kunlun is the Tibetan Plateau.
It is the highest and largest plateau.

Answer: Tibetan Plateau.

Memory hook: Roof of Asia, behind the Himalayas.

Tricks to remember Mountains and Plateaus: Mark and Label

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

Hindu from the Pamirs
Hindukush runs south-west from the Pamir Knot.
Use it when: Hindukush position.
Urals divide
Urals separate Europe and Asia.
Use it when: Urals.

Mountains and Plateaus: Mark and Label: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Range identification · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

The range along the France-Spain border is the:
(a) Alps
(b) Carpathians
(c) Pyrenees
(d) Caucasus

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Between Biscay and the Mediterranean.

Answer: (c) Pyrenees.

Example 2: Plateau location · 2 marks · Short answerBoard level

State the location of the Anatolian Plateau and the Ethiopian Plateau.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Anatolian: central Turkey between the Black Sea and Mediterranean.
Ethiopian: Ethiopia in north-east Africa.

Answer: Anatolian in central Turkey; Ethiopian in north-east Africa.

Example 3: Describe the position · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

Describe the position of the Zagros, Elburz and Iranian Plateau relative to each other.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Zagros lies in western and south-western Iran along the Iraq border and Persian Gulf.
Elburz lies in northern Iran, along the southern shore of the Caspian Sea.
The Iranian Plateau lies in Iran, enclosed by the Zagros and the Elburz.
So the plateau is bounded west and south-west by Zagros and north by Elburz.

Answer: Zagros west and south-west, Elburz north, with the Iranian Plateau between.

Example 4: Direction of ranges · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

State the direction of the Rockies, Appalachian, Andes and Urals, and name the coast each parallels where relevant.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Rockies: north-west to south-east in western North America.
Appalachian: north-east to south-west parallel to the Atlantic coast.
Andes: along the entire western coast of South America.
Urals: north to south in Russia.

Answer: Rockies NW-SE; Appalachian NE-SW along the Atlantic; Andes along the Pacific coast; Urals N-S.

Example 5: Map design · 5 marks · Case-basedHOTS / competency

Case: A student marks the Deccan Plateau in eastern Asia and the Himalayas in Europe. (a) Correct each location. (b) Explain two anchor features to avoid such slips. (c) Say how plateaus should be shown.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

(a) The Deccan Plateau is in peninsular India; the Himalayas lie across northern India, Nepal and Bhutan.
(b) Use continent plus neighbour: Deccan between the Western and Eastern Ghats; Himalayas south of the Tibetan Plateau.
(c) Light shading with the name written beside, not shading oceans.

Answer: (a) Deccan in India; Himalayas in Asia (b) use neighbours (c) light shading.

Where students lose marks in Mountains and Plateaus: Mark and Label

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

Mistake: Marking the wrong continent
Range placed far from its location.
Do this: Anchor each to a coast or neighbouring feature.
Usually costs: 1 mark per item.
Mistake: Shading oceans when marking plateaus
Plateau shading spills into seas.
Do this: Shade lightly within the plateau outline only.
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Mistake: Illegible names
Labels overlap lines.
Do this: Write names neatly beside the feature.
Usually costs: 1 mark.

Exam tips

Learn each item with a neighbour.
Use thin ridges for ranges.
Practise on outline maps.
Write only syllabus names.

Practice questions on Mountains and Plateaus: Mark and Label

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
The plateau known as the roof of the world is the:
(a) Pamirs
(b) Deccan
(c) Anatolian
(d) Guiana Highlands
Hint
Tajikistan.
Answer
(a) Pamirs.
Q2 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Name the plateau lying between the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf and the two features that bound the Iranian Plateau.
Hint
Arabian; Zagros and Elburz.
Answer
The Arabian Plateau lies between the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf; the Iranian Plateau is bounded by the Zagros and the Elburz.
Q3 · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level
Describe the position of the Alps, Carpathians and Kjolen in Europe.
Hint
Arc, curve, border.
Answer
The Alps arc across south-eastern France, Switzerland, northern Italy and Austria; the Carpathians curve from Slovakia through southern Poland and western Ukraine into Romania; the Kjolen runs along the Norway-Sweden border.
Q4 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Give the position of the Guiana Highlands and the Brazilian Plateau relative to the Amazon.
Hint
North and south.
Answer
The Guiana Highlands lie north of the Amazon and south of the Orinoco; the Brazilian Plateau lies south of the Amazon basin in eastern and central Brazil.
Q5 · 4 marks · Case-basedHOTS / competency
Case: A map shows a range along the eastern edge of the Mongolian plateau and another along the northern edge of the Tibetan Plateau. (a) Name them. (b) Name the continent. (c) Say why precise placement matters in marking.
Hint
Khingan and Kunlun.
Answer
(a) Greater Khingan and Kunlun. (b) Asia. (c) Examiners credit accurate relative position to coasts and neighbouring features.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

1.Range between Black and Caspian Sea?Show answer
Caucasus.
2.Highest plateau?Show answer
Tibetan Plateau.
3.Range in Norway-Sweden?Show answer
Kjolen.
4.Australia's eastern range?Show answer
Great Dividing Range.
5.Source of Blue Nile plateau?Show answer
Ethiopian Plateau.

Mountains and Plateaus: Mark and Label: frequently asked questions

How many mountains are listed?

Eighteen ranges.

How many plateaus?

Ten.

Do I need to mark other ranges?

No, only the syllabus list.