Residual Soils of Hong Kong

India lies to the north of the equator between 8°4′ and 37°6′ North latitude and 68°7′ and 97°25′ East longitude. The geography of India is diverse and can be divided into three distinct regions, (a) the peninsular region lying to the south of the Indo-Gangetic plains, (b) the Indo-Gangetic alluvial plains stretching across northern India from Assam and Bengal on the east, through Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to Punjab on the west, and (c) the Extra-peninsula, comprising the Himalayan ranges. The peninsular region consists of basaltic rocks of various types, granites and metamorphic rocks derived from the granites. The basaltic Deccan traps are associated with the most extensive occurrence of black soil formation. In the areas occupied by Archaean gneisses and Deccan traps, extensive deposits of red soils are encountered. Large deposits of laterites are found as cappings over the Deccan traps. The geology of the soil-forming rocks is briefly considered as a prelude to soil characteristics.