Chapter-1
INDIA - SIZE AND LOCATION
KEY WORDS:
Subcontinent: A large, distinguishable part of a continent,
such as Indian subcontinent (India and its neighboring
countries), which is a significant landmass within Asia but
distinct in its geography, culture, and history.
Peninsula: A piece of land almost surrounded by water or
projecting out into a body of water. India is often referred to as
a peninsula because it is bordered by the Arabian Sea, the
Indian Ocean, and the Bay of Bengal.
Latitudinal Extent: The range of latitudes within which a
country or region lies. For India, it extends from 8°4'N to
37°6′N.
Longitudinal Extent: The range of longitudes within which a
country or region lies. For India, it extends from 68°7'E to
97°25′E.
Tropic of Cancer: The latitude 23°30′N, which passes through
India, divides the country into almost two equal parts.
Standard Meridian: The longitude used to determine the
standard time for the whole country. In India, the 82°30'E
longitude is the standard meridian.
Mainland: The principal landmass of a country or region, as
opposed to its islands or offshore territories. In the context of
India, it refers to the major part of the country excluding the
Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
Union Territories: Regions in India that are directly governed
by the Central Government. Examples include Delhi,
Chandigarh, and Lakshadweep etc.
Coastline: The land along a sea or ocean. India has a long
coastline of approximately 7,516.6 kilometers, including its
island territories.
International Border: The geographical boundary separating
one country from another. India shares international border
with several countries, including Pakistan, China, Afghanistan,
Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.
Young Fold Mountains: Young fold mountains, also known as
the Himalayas are a major mountain range in Asia, which forms
the northern boundary of India. The Himalayas play a critical
role in influencing India's climate and providing a natural
barrier.
Indian Standard Time (IST): The time zone observed
throughout India, which is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+5:30). IST is based on the 82°30′E
longitude.
Bay of Bengal: A large bay that forms the northeastern part
of the Indian Ocean, lying to the east of India. It is bounded by
India and Sri Lanka to the west, Bangladesh to the north, and
Myanmar and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to the east.
Arabian Sea: A region of the northern Indian Ocean bounded
on the west by the Arabian Peninsula, on the northeast by
Pakistan and Iran, and on the east by India.
Tsunami: A series of large ocean waves caused by underwater
earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or other disturbances. Coastal
areas of India, especially the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, are
vulnerable to tsunamis.
Longitude and Latitude: Longitude refers to the angular
distance east or west of the Prime Meridian, measured in
degrees. Latitude refers to the angular distance north or south
of the Equator, measured in degrees.
Neighbouring Countries: Countries that share a border with
India, including Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and
Myanmar. India's maritime neighbours include Sri Lanka and
the Maldives.
Indian Ocean: The third-largest ocean in the world,
surrounding India to the south and playing a vital role in the
country's climate and trade routes.
Bay Islands: Islands located in the Bay of Bengal, such as the
Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which are significant for their
strategic location and biodiversity.
IMPORTANT POINTS:
India extends from 8°4'N to 37°6′N latitudes and from 68°7'E to
97°25′E longitudes.t
The Tropic of Cancer (23°30′N latitude) passes almost halfway
through the country.
India covers an area of 3.28 million square kilometers, making it
the seventh-largest country in the world by land area.
It has a land boundary of about 15,200 kilometers and a
coastline of 7,516.6 kilometers, including the Andaman and
Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
India comprises 28 states and 8 union territories.
The states are further divided into districts for administrative
purposes.
India shares its international borders with Pakistan,
Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.
Maritime neighbours of India include Sri Lanka and Maldives.
The Indian mainland extends from the Himalayas in the north
to the Indian Ocean in the south.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal and
Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea are significant parts of
India's territory.
Indira Point, located in the Nicobar Islands, is the southernmost
point of the Indian territory. It is named after former Prime
Minister Indira Gandhi,
Located in the Bay of Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar islands are
known for their strategic location, rich biodiversity, and unique
tribal cultures.
Lakshadweep islands in the Arabian Sea are known for their
coral reefs, marine biodiversity, and tourism potential.
EXERCISE:
1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given
below.
i) The Tropic of Cancer does not pass through (b)
a) Rajasthan b) Odisha
c) Chhattisgarh d) Tripura
ii) The easternmost longitude of India is (a)
a) 97° 25' E b) 68° 7' E
c) 77° 6' E d) 82° 32′ E
iii) Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim have
common frontiers with (C)
a) China b) Bhutan
c) Nepal d) Myanmar
iv) If you intend to visit Kavarati during your summer vacations,
which one of the following Union Territories of India you will
be going to
(b)
a) Puducherry b) Lakshadweep
c) Andaman and Nicobar d) Daman and Diu
v) My friend hails from a country which does not share land
boundary with India. Identify the country. (b)
a) Bhutan b) Tajikistan
c) Bangladesh d) Nepal
2. Answer the following questions briefly.
i) Name the group of islands lying in the Arabian Sea.
Ans. Lakshadweep Islands
ii) Name the countries which are larger than I India.
Ans. Russia, Canada, USA, China, Brazil, and Australia.
iii) Which island group of India lies to its south-east?
Ans. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
iv) Which island countries are our southern neighbours?
Ans. Sri Lanka and Maldives
3. The sun rises two hours earlier in Arunachal Pradesh as
compared to Gujarat in the west but the watches show the
same time. How does this happen?
Ans. The phenomenon occurs due to the adoption of a single time
zone for the entire country. It works as follows:
Single Time Zone:
India follows a single time zone, Indian Standard Time (IST),
which is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of Greenwich Mean Time
(GMT+5:30).
Wide Longitudinal Extent:
India spans a wide range of longitudes, approximately from 68°7'E
in Gujarat to 97°25'E in Arunachal Pradesh. This results in a time
difference of about 2 hours between the easternmost and
westernmost parts of the country.
Uniform Timekeeping:
Despite the longitudinal difference, the entire country adheres to
IST to maintain uniformity in timekeeping. This avoids the
complications that would arise from having multiple time zones,
such as scheduling issues and confusion in daily activities.
4.The central location of India at the head of the Indian
Ocean is considered of great significance. Why?
Ans. The central location of India at the head of the Indian Ocean is
considered of great significance for several reasons:
Trade and Commerce: India's position allows it to serve as a
strategic hub for trade between East Asia, the Middle East, and
Africa. It facilitates maritime trade routes and provides access
to major global markets.
Geopolitical Importance: India's location gives it influence over
important sea lanes, which is crucial for geopolitical stability
and security in the region.
Cultural Exchange: India's central location has historically
facilitated cultural exchange and interaction between different
civilizations, contributing to its rich cultural heritage.
Natural Resources: The Indian Ocean region is rich in natural
resources such as fisheries, minerals, and hydrocarbons.
Strategic Defense: The geographical position of India at the
head of the Indian Ocean provides strategic advantages for
defense and security purposes, enabling India to monitor and
respond to threats effectively.
MAP SKILLS:
Identify the following with the help of map reading.
i) The island groups of India lying in the Arabian Sea and the Bay
of Bengal.
Ans. Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
ii) The countries constituting Indian subcontinent.
Ans. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka,
Maldives, Afghanistan.
iii) The States through which the Tropic of Cancer passes.
Ans. Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand,
West Bengal, Tripura, Mizoram.
iv) The northernmost latitude in degrees.
Ans. 37° 6' N Latitude
v) The southernmost latitude of the Indian mainland in degrees.
Ans. 8º 4º N Latitude
vi) The eastern and the western-most longitude in degrees.
Ans. Eastern-most lon-gitude is 97° 25'E and Western-most
longitude is 68° 7° Ε.
vii) The place situated on the three seas.
Ans. Kanniyakumari
viii) The strait separating Sri Lanka from India.
Ans. Palk Strait
ix) The Union Territories of India
Ans. Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Chandigarh, Delhi, Dadra and
Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar
Islands, Puducherry.
