Plateau is a flat land rising above the surrounding area on at least one side. Plateau is also called high plain or tableland. The world is home to the largest and most spectacular plateaus. From the Colorado plateau in north America to the Deccan plateau in India, they spread worldwide and occupy a major portion of land in each country. Plateaus are formed by the processes of extrusion of lava and upwelling of volcanic magma. Some are the results of ancient tectonic activity. Plateaus can be classified as intermontane, continental or piedmont based on the surrounding environment. Most of the mineral ores in the world were available in these immersive landforms. Plateaus are home to remarkable wildlife, and they have unique geographic features.
Top 10 Largest Plateaus in the world
| Plateau | Area(Sq.km) | Height(meters) |
| Tibetan | 2.5 million | 4500 |
| Deosai | 3,584 | 4114 |
| Colorado | 336,700 | 3,840 |
| Deccan | 800,000 | 2,695 |
| Coloumbia- snakeplateau | 160,000 | 1,219 |
| Mexiacn | 601,882 | 1,825 |
| Altiplano | 170,000 | 3,650 |
| Patagonia | 673,000 | 1,200 |
| Katanga | 496,871 | 1,200 |
| Iranian | 3.7 million | 7,492 |
Tibetan Plateau
The Tibetan plateau is known as the Qing-Zang plateau or Qinghai-Tibet plateau. The Tibetan plateau is the world’s largest and highest plateau having an area of 2.5 million square kilometers ( 970,000 square miles). This massive highland is named the ‘roof of the world’ due to its large covering area. The average elevation of the plateau is more than 4000 meters above sea level. The vast plateau covers most regions in the People’s Republic of China, Pakistan, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and India.
The plateau was formed about 55 million years ago due to the collision of two tectonic plates. The massive highland is inter-mountainous. It is surrounded by some of the highest peaks in the world, such as Kunlun mountain in the north and Mount Everest in the south. The high elevation and harsh weather conditions led to a diverse ecosystem. The Tibetan plateau is home to diverse wildlife and has rare species such as snow leopards and Tibetan antelope. Some major rivers, Brahmaputra, Indus, and Mekong, flow through the region. Those are useful to over 1.3 billion people in Asia. It led to the focus of international attention.
Despite its beauty, the plateau remains one of the world’s most remote and latest developed regions. The harsh climatic conditions and high altitude make living in this region difficult. Despite its challenges, the stunning beauty of the world’s largest plateau attracts tourists from all over the world to explore the region. The people of the Tibetan plateau have continued to work on it and preserve its water resources and heritage for future generations.
Deosai Plateau
The Deosai plateau is the second largest plateau in the world, having an average elevation of 4,114 meters(13,497 feet) above sea level. It occupies an area of 3,584 square kilometers. The location of the second largest plateau is at Astor, Gilgit Baltistan, in Pakistan. It was surrounded by the western massif Himalayas and Nanga Parbat peak in the east. It most closely resembles the Karakoram mountain range.
Balti people who lived in this region called it ‘Ghbiarsa.’ The Deosai name comes from the words ‘Deo’ (giant), and ‘sai’ means shadow. For centuries a belief of the people surrounding this region was ‘Giants hunted this region,’ thus the name Deosai. The plateau is home to the world’s most critically endangered species, like the Himalayan brown bear and the Asiatic ibex. This tableland protects these species.
The high elevation of the plateau causes unpredictable weather conditions. Most of the year, this region is covered with snow. It attracts trekkers and tourists from all over the world. This plateau is accessible only in summer. Trekking is effortless these days. But snowfall occurs in the summer also.
Colorado Plateau
The Colorado plateau is one of the largest plateaus in the world, having an elevation of 3,840 meters( 12,600 ft) above sea level. It occupies an area of 336,700 square kilometers (130,000 sq mi). The plateau was located at the center of four corners of Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado states southwestern United states. It is an intermontane type plateau.Rocky mountains, Uinta and wasatch mountains bounded the colorado plateau.
The Colorado plateau was covered by pine forests, deserts. Most part of the plateau has floating rivers such as Colorado river and its tributaries. The plateau is made up of sedimentary rocks. Within these rocks several mineral deposits appear here are coal,uranium, oil and natural gas.
Deccan Plateau
The Deccan plateau is the most extensive plateau in India. It has 800,000 square kilometers and is elevated at 2,695 meters (8,842 ft) above sea level. The tableland is triangular in shape and made up of basalt, extrusive igneous rock, and ancient lava flows. The Tibetan plateau is bounded by Vindhya and Satpura mountain ranges in the west and eastern ghats in the east.
The Tibetan Plateau was formed over 65 million years ago. It is also known as the peninsular plateau. The plateau is home to a unique and diverse range of wildlife, such as the Indian leopard, blackbuck antelope, and endangered species like the great Indian bustard, south bear, and Bengal tiger. Nearly 4,000 diverse species of plants were found along the plateau region. In certain areas of the plateau, we have seen some rare medicinal plants like chirata and ashwagandha.In India, the Deccan plateau is the storehouse of rich mineral resources. Due to its volcanic activity, it has mica, iron ore, coal, chromite, manganese, and asbestos deposits.
Krishna, Godavari, and Kaveri are the major rivers flowing from western guards to the bay of Bengal. These are the east-flowing rivers. Heavy rainfall occurs in some regions in the plateau. Due to these water resources and its highly fertile soil, rich agriculture is situated in this region. The people who live in this plateau region depend mainly on agriculture. The traditional crops produced are cotton, sugarcane, rice, maize, and oilseeds. Large mineral deposits and agriculture in the Deccan plateau have led to economic growth in the country.
Columbia-Snake Plateau
The Columbia plateau is one of the most extensive plateaus in the world, with a total area coverage of 160,000 square kilometers (61,776 sq. mi ). It is an intermontane plateau surrounded by rocky mountains and the Sierra Nevada, at an elevation of 1,219 meters above sea level. This vast plateau was formed over 16 million years ago. The tableland is made up of flood basalt by volcanic lava extrusion. It spreads over the United States of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Columbia River flows through the northern side of the plateau.
Mexican Plateau
The Mexican plateau is also one of the large plateaus in the world. It has an area of 601,882 square kilometers (232,388 sq. mi). At an average elevation of 1,825 meters (6,000 feet) above sea level. The plateau of Mexico is also known as Mexican Altiplano. It was an example of the intermontane plateau, bounded by the Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra Madre oriental. The plateau covers Mexico’s northern and central parts, with deserts, xeric shrublands, and extensive pine-oak forests.
Altiplano Plateau
The altiplano plateau is the largest plateau in the world. It is an uplifted plateau formed over 16 million years ago. Most of the plateau lies in Bolivia, and the remaining is in Peru and chile. It spans over 170,000 square kilometers (65,536 sq. mi), having an elevation of 12,000 feet (3,650 meters) slightly below the Tibetan plateau. The altiplano plateau is home to lake Titicaca, the largest freshwater lake in the Andes mountains.
Patagonia Plateau
The plateau of Patagonia is a semi-arid scrub plateau. It covers all of the main lands of the southern part of Argentina. The tableland spans over 673,000 square kilometers ( 260,000 sq. mi), elevated at 1200 meters above sea level. It is a piedmont plateau formed by volcanic eruptions.
Katanga Plateau
Katanga plateau is one of the largest plateaus in the world. The plateau is situated in the southeastern Katanga province in the southern democratic republic of Congo. It spans over 496,871 square kilometers at an elevation of 1,200 meters (4,000 feet) above sea level. The plateau is bounded by Kundelungu and Mitumba mountains. Much Uranium mineral deposits are found in this region.
Iranian Plateau
The Iranian plateau is also one of the highest plateaus in the world. It spans over the countries Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, having an area of 3.7 million square kilometers elevated at 7,492 meters (24,580 feet) above sea level. The Indus river flows through the western part of the plateau. It was a piedmont plateau formed by the collision of the Arabian plate with the Eurasian plate. It is home to the wildlife of endangered species like Asiatic cheetahs, Brown bears, and wild goats.
Plateaus play a major role in the world’s economic growth. These have rich mineral deposits, water resources, extensive grasslands, and fertile soils. Most plateaus are home to rare wildlife species. Plateaus are balancing our ecosystem. Our responsibility is to ensure these precious places are preserved for future generations.
Most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What are the top 10 largest plateaus in the world?
Tibetan Plateau, Deosai, Colorado, Deccan, Columbia-Snake, Mexican, Altiplano, Patagonia, Katanga, and Iranian plateaus are the top 10 largest plateaus in the world.
- Which plateau is the largest in the world?
The Tibetan Plateau is the largest plateau in the world.
- Which plateau is the smallest in the world?
Solfatara is the smallest plateau in the world.
- Which is the second largest plateau in the world?
The DeoSai plateau is the second-largest plateau in the world.
- Which is the third largest plateau in the world?
The Colorado plateau is the third-largest plateau in the world.