CLASS - 9
SUBJECT: GEOGRAPHY
CHAPTER - 1: INDIA - SIZE AND LOCATION
IMPORTANT POINTS
Location - India is located in the Northern Hemisphere. It has a central location between
East and West Asia.
Latitudinal extent of India is - 8ﾟ4' N to 37ﾟ6' N which influences the duration of day-
and-night.
Longitudinal extent - 68ﾟ7' E to 97ﾟ25' E is the longitudinal extent of India due to which
there is a 2 hour time difference between Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat.
Tropic of Cancer - 23ﾟ30' N divides India into almost two equal parts.
Area - India has a total area of 3.28 million square kilometres. It is 2.4% of the world's
total area.
Size - India is the 7th largest country in the world after Russia, Canada, USA, China,
Brazil and Australia.
Boundaries of India - India is bounded by the Himalayas in the North, Northwest, and
Northeast. To the southeast and southwest of the mainland, lie the Andaman and Nicobar
Islands and the Lakshadweep islands in Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea respectively. The
Indian Ocean lies to the South.
India's land boundary is - 15200 km with the coastline of 7516.6 km.
Standard Meridian of India is - 82°30'E which passes through Mirzapur (in Uttar
Pradesh). It has been taken as the standard time for the whole country because from
Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh, there is a time lag of two hours. Hence, to overcome the
time difference of 2 hours, the time along the Standard Meridian of India is taken as the
standard time for the whole country.
North South extent/distance of India - is 3214 km
East West extent/distance of India - is 2933 km
Neighbouring countries of India –
Pakistan and Afghanistan in the West
China, Nepal and Bhutan in the North
Myanmar and Bangladesh in the East
Sri Lanka and Maldives (island neighbouring countries) in the South
Page 1 of 4
QUESTION/ANSWERS
1. Why is the difference between the duration of day and night hardly felt at Kanniyakumari
but not so in Kashmir?
Ans. The difference between the duration of day and night is hardly felt at
Kanniyakumari but not so in Kashmir because-
a) Kanniyakumari is located near the equator whereas Kashmir is located far away from
the equator.
b) Near the equator, the Sun's rays fall vertically due to which the day and night are of
12 hours each. The difference increases as we go far from the equator.
c) Hence Southern India (Kanyakumari) being near the equator does not experience
much difference in the duration of day and night whereas the northern part (Kashmir)
which is far away from the equator experiences large differences.
2. Why is the North-South extent of India larger than the East-West extent even though the
latitudinal and longitudinal extent in degrees is of the same value?
Ans. The North-South extent of India is larger than the East-West extent even though the
latitudinal and longitudinal extent in degrees is of the same value.
a) This is because the distance between two latitudes is always 111 km i.e. same
whereas, between two longitudes, it is the maximum at the equator and decreases
towards the poles.
3. Why do we need a standard meridian?
Ans. - India is a big country.
a) It extends between longitudes 68ﾟ7' E to 97ﾟ25' E.
b) As India is spread over nearly 30ﾟ longitudes from Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh
there is a time lag of two hours.
c) Hence, to overcome the time difference of 2 hours and bring uniformity, we need a
standard Meridian for the whole country.
Page 2 of 4
4. Why 82ﾟ30' E has been selected as the Standard Meridian of India?
Ans. -
a) India lies between 68ﾟ7' E to 97ﾟ25' E from Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh.
b) Thus the longitudinal extent is 30ﾟdue to which the time difference between both
these places is 2 hours.
c) To overcome the difference of 2 hours and avoid confusion in timings we have
selected one standard time meridian which passes through the centre of India.
d) Hence, the central Meridian is
68ﾟ7' E + 97ﾟ25' E 165ﾟ32' E
= = 82ﾟ46’ E
2 2
1
e) But according to the International norms, the number should be divisible by 7 2 and
1
the nearest number divisible by 7 2 is 82ﾟ30' E so we have selected 82ﾟ30' E as the
Standard Meridian of India.
5. India occupies an important strategic position in South Asia. Explain the statement.
Or
The central location of India at the head of the Indian Ocean is considered of great
significance. Why?
Ans. –
a) The Indian landmass has a central location between East and West Asia. India is a
southward extension of the Asian continent.
b) 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.
c) The part that is attached to the Asian continent connects India through the land routes
and mountain passes to the various countries lying to the North, West and East.
d) The Deccan Peninsula protrudes into the Indian Ocean, thus helping India to establish
close contact with West Asia, Africa and Europe from the Western coast and
Southeast and East Asia from the Eastern coast.
e) Since the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, India's distance from Europe has been
reduced by 7000 km and made access to the Indian market easier.
Page 3 of 4
6. How has the strategic location of India contributed towards the exchange of socio-
economic culture with other countries since ancient times?
Or
How has the strategic location of India contributed to the exchange of ideas and
commodities through land and sea since ancient times?
Ans. -
a) India's contact with the outside world was much before the sea routes. The various
passes across the Himalayas has provided gateway to many ancient travellers.
b) While ocean restricted such interaction, these routes have contributed in exchange of
ideas and commodities since ancient times.
c) For example- The ideas of the Upanishads and the Ramayana, the stories of
Panchtantra, the Indian numerals and the decimal system thus could reach many parts
of the world.
d) The spices, muslin and other merchandise were taken from India to different
countries.
e) On the other hand, the influence of Greek sculpture, and the architectural styles of
dome and minarets from West Asia can be seen in different parts of our country
Page 4 of 4
