Some Major Plateaus Of The World

The Plateaus are built over millions of years as pieces of Earth’s crust smash into each other, melt, and gurgle back toward the surface. The term Plateau can be defined as the upland which has at least one side of a very steep slope standing well above the neighboring surface and whose upper part is extensively flat. The most significant deciding factor of the Plateau is the flatness of its top rather than the height.

The Tibetan Plateau:

Known as the “Roof of the World,” this incredible plateau stretches across Tibet, China, and India.
Imagine a vast area, 1,000 km north to south and 2,000 km east to west, covering about 2.5 million square kilometers.
It boasts a flat valley floor sitting at around 16,000 feet above sea level.

The Columbia Plateau:

Picture the Columbia Plateau nestled in the U.S., spanning parts of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
Surrounded by the Cascade Range and Rocky Mountains, it’s divided by the majestic Columbia River.

The Hardangervidda Plateau:

Head to Europe, where the Hardangervidda Plateau in Norway covers about 6,500 square kilometers.
With an average elevation of 1,100 meters, it rises to 1,690 meters at its central point, showcasing stunning landscapes and bordering Norway’s largest glaciers.

The Antarctic Plateau:

Journey to Central Antarctica, where the Antarctic Plateau spans across the South Pole and the Amundsen Scott Station.
This vast icy expanse, about 1,000 square kilometers, reaches heights of up to 3,000 meters above sea level.

The Colorado Plateau:

Explore the Colorado Plateau, encompassing Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico, divided by the mighty Colorado River and the iconic Grand Canyon.
As the largest plateau in America, it covers a vast area of 337,000 square kilometers, with elevations reaching up to 2,450 meters.

Ethiopian Highland:

Head to the heart of Africa, where the Ethiopian Highland in Ethiopia is the continent’s highest plateau.
Spanning the central part of the country, it boasts altitudes rarely dipping below 1,500 meters, with its peak reaching 4,550 meters above sea level.

Table Mountain:

Visit Cape Town in South Africa to marvel at Table Mountain, a distinctive plateau at the northern end of the Sandstone Mountain Range.
Stretching 3 km from side to side, this level plateau offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

The Deccan Plateau:

Explore the vast Deccan Plateau, covering 500,000 square kilometers across eight states in India.
Bordered by the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats, it gradually rises from 100 meters in the north to higher elevations in the south.

Atherton Tableland:

Venture down under to Queensland, Australia, where the Atherton Tableland spans 32,000 square kilometers.
With elevations ranging from 500 to 1,280 meters above sea level, it’s a diverse and picturesque landscape.

Potohar Plateau:

Discover the Potohar Plateau in northeastern Pakistan, bordered by the Jehlum River, Indus River, Margalla Hills, and the Kala Chitta Range.
Encompassing districts like Jehlum, Chakwal, Rawalpindi, and Attock, it’s a region of varied topography and rich cultural heritage.

Brazilian Plateau:

Finally, journey to Brazil, where the Brazilian Plateau covers almost half of the country.
Divided into three plateaus, the Atlantic Plateau along the eastern coast showcases the diverse landscapes of this vast and vibrant nation.