India size and location: Class 9 SST Geography Notes

India size and location: Class 9 SST Geography Notes

India, located in the northern hemisphere, is a vast country, and comprises of 28 states and 8 Union Territories.

The mainland of India extends from Kashmir in the North to Kannyakumari in the South and Arunachal Pradesh in the East to Gujarat in the West. According to mainland, it has two parts – a. South East – Andaman and Nicobar Island and b. South West – Lakshadweep Island. Andaman and Nicobar Islands are situated in the Bay of Bengal. Lakshadweep Islands are situated in the Arabian Sea.

Tropic of Cancer divides the country into almost two equal parts. Tropic of Cancer passes from 8 states of India: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, Mizoram.

• Latitudinal extension is 8º 4′ N to 37º 6′ N.
• It’s longitudinal extension is 68º 7′ E to 97º 25′ E.
• India’s territorial limit further extends towards the sea upto 12 nautical miles (about 21.9 km) from the sea coast (Nautical Miles- a unit used in measuring distance at sea.)
• Size: The land mass of India has an area of 3.28 million square km. India’s total area accounts for about 2.4% of the total geographical area of the worlds. It is the seventh largest country of the world.

There is two hours difference between the easternmost and westernmost part of India. The local time at Arunachal Pradesh would be at least 2 hours ahead of Gujarat. Therefore, to maintain a uniform time throughout the country Standard meridian is important. This helps in avoiding confusion among people regarding the timing of trains, flights and telecast of various programmes.

The Indian Ocean is named after India. India is the only country which has the credit of an ocean named after it. The Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, extensions of the India Ocean, lie to the west and east of Indian Peninsula, and the India Ocean lies to its south. No other country has a long coastline on the India Ocean as India. The central location of India at the head of the Indian Ocean has provided India a strategic location of great significance along the Trans-Indian Ocean routes. It is India’s eminent position in the Indian Ocean which justifies the naming of the ocean after India.

Assignments

Question: Discuss the location of India.

Question: What is the longitudinal extent of India? State its implications.

Question: Describe the size of India.

Question: What is the Standard Meridian of India and where does it pass?

Question: Distinguish between local time and standard time.

Question: Explain why Ahmedabad and Kolkata are able to see the noon sun exactly overhead in a year but not Delhi.

Question: What role Indian land route play in relationship of India with other countries?

Question: Why is India often called subcontinent?

Question: Name the countries who share boundary with India

Question: What is latitude? What is the latitudinal extent of India?

Question: Which ocean is named after India? Give two reasons as to why it was named after India?

Question: How have been mountain passes been helpful in India since historic times? Explain.

Question: Why do days and nights are almost of equal duration at Kanniyakumari?

Question: Why is the knowledge of latitude and longitude important for people?

Question: What do you know about the neighbouring countries of India?

Question: How has been long coastline been beneficial to India?

Question: “India has a large coastline which is advantages.” Justify the statement with suitable examples.

Question: The ocean routes played important role in the exchange of ideas and commodities in the ancient time. Support this statement with suitable examples.

Question: What was the contribution of land routes to India in ancient times? Explain.

Question: Write a note on the location and size of India.

Question: What is the significance of India’s central location?