India: Size and Location

Question 1

Describe India’s location

Answer 1

• India is a vast country which lies entirely in the northern hemisphere
• The Tropic of Cancer divides the country into 2 equal haves approximately
• The mainland extends between latitudes 8°4’ N and 37°6’ N and longitudes 68°7’ E to 97°25’ E
• The Standard Meridian of India lies in 82°30’ E and passes through Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh

Question 2

Describe the size of India

Answer 2

• India has a total landmass of 3.28 million sq.km
• It is the 7th largest country in the world

Question 3

Calculate the time difference between Gujarat and Arunachal Pradesh

Answer 3

• Earth completes one rotation on its axis in 24 hours and turns a complete circle of 360°.
• This means Earth rotates 360°/24 = 15° in one hour.​
• Difference of time for 1° longitude = 4 minutes.​
• Difference of time for 15° longitude = 15° X 4 = 60 minutes ​
• The reason for time difference between Gujarat and Arunachal Pradesh is of 2 hours as the longitudinal difference between these two places is approximately 30° (97-68=29 degrees)

Question 4

What is the significance of India’s location

Answer 4

• The Indian landmass has a central location between the East and the West Asia.
• India is a southward extension of the Asian Continent.
• The trans-Indian Ocean routes which connect the countries of Europe in the west and the countries of East Asia provide a strategic central location to India.
• The Deccan Peninsula protrudes into the Indian Ocean, thus helping India to establish close contact with oil rich countries of West Asia as well as Africa and Europe from the western coast and Southeast and East Asia from the eastern coast via sea and ocean routes and air routes.

Question 5

Why is there a difference between the duration of day and night between south and north?

Answer 5

• Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu is located at the southern-most tip of India’s mainland.
• The latitude 8°4′ N passes close to it. The place is thus near the equator and lies close to the equatorial region.
• As the sun shines directly over the equator all throughout the year, the duration of day and night is almost equal here.
• Hence, in Kanyakumari the difference in the duration of day and night is very little.
• But in the northern part of the country located to the north of the Tropic of Cancer away from the equator, the difference between the durations of day and night becomes increasingly greater.

Question 6

What are some benefits of India’s coastline?

Answer 6

• The Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, extensions of the Indian Ocean, lie to the west and east of Indian Peninsula, and the Indian Ocean lies to its south.
• The total length of the coastline of the mainland of India including Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep is 7516.6 km.
• The long coastline of India has helped in maritime trade since ages.
• The central location of India at the head of Indian Ocean has provided it a strategic location along the trans-Indian Ocean routes.
• India is able to establish close contact with West Asia, Africa and Europe from western coast and with Southeast and East Asia from the eastern coast.
• The long coastline has also played a major role in influencing the climate of India.
• It provides opportunities for fishing and extraction of petroleum. It serves as a natural boundary protecting India

Question 7

Why is the Indian subcontinent given its name?

Answer 7

• It is a distinct geographic unit separated from the Asian continent by the majestic Himalayas and its extensions.
• It has its own culture as distinct from the rest of Asia.
• The climate of Indian subcontinent is characterised by monsoon type of climate

Question 8

What is the relevance of mountain passes in India?

Answer 8

• The various mountain passes across the Himalayan range and other mountains in the north have provided passages to travelers since ancient times
• The land routes via mountain passes have contributed in the exchange of ideas since historic times
• The ideas of Ramayana, the Indian numerals and the decimal system could thus reach many parts of the world
• The spices, muslin and other goods were taken from India to different countries
• The architectural style of done and minarets from West Asia and influence of Greek sculpture, which can be seen in different parts of India, came from other countries to India

Question 9

Write a short note on India’s neighbours

Answer 9

• India shares its land boundaries with Pakistan and Afghanistan in northwest
• China, Nepal and Bhutan in the north
• Myanmar and Bangladesh in the east.​
• Sri Lanka and Maldives in the south across the sea
• India shares historical links with its neighbours

Question 10

Write a short note on Indira Point

Answer 10

• The southernmost point of Indian-’Indira point’ is situated in Andaman & Nicobar islands got submerged in sea water in 2004 Tsunami
• India’s southernmost point, the Indira Point, subsided by 4.25 meters during the 2004 Tsunami​

Question 11

What is the signifance of the Suez Canal

Answer 11

• Since the opening of Suez canal in 1869,india’s distance from Europe has been reduced by 7,000km.

Question 12

What were the types of states before 1947

Answer 12

• Before 1947 ,there were 2 types of states - the provinces and the princely states