CLASS 9 GEOGRAPHY CHAPTER 1 - INDIA: SIZE & LCOATION

Class 9 Geography Chapter 1 - India: Size & Location

The main land of India extends between latitudes 8°4'N and 37°6'N and longitudes 68°7'E and 97°25'E. The Tropic of Cancer (23° 30'N) passes almost through the middle of the country. Apart from the mainland, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Indian Ocean) and the Lakshadweep (Arabian Sea) are also parts of India.

India: SIZE

The land mass of India has an area of 3.28 million (3.28 lakh) square km; which comprises about 2.4% of the total geographical area of the world. India is the seventh largest country in the world.

The land boundary of India is 15,200 km. The coastline of the country is 7,516.6 km; which includes the Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep.

The latitudinal and longitudinal extent of India is about 30°. The time along the Standard Meridian is taken as the Indian Standard Time. The Standard Meridian of India passes through Mirzapur in UP which is located at 82°30’ east. The time lag between Arunachal Pradesh (in the east) and Gujarat (in the west) is about 2 hours. When one moves from south to north, the latitudinal extent influences the duration of day and night.

INDIA AND THE WORLD

India is centrally located between the East and the West Asia. India is strategically located at the centre of the trans-Indian Ocean routes which connect the European countries in the west and the countries of East Asia. Thus, India could establish close contact with West Asia, Africa and Europe from the western coast. Moreover, it could establish close contact with Southeast and East Asia from the eastern coast.

India’s Neighbours:

In the northwest, India shares its boundaries with Pakistan and Afghanistan. China, Nepal and Bhutan are its northern neighbours. Its eastern neighbours are Bangladesh and Myanmar. Maldives and Sri Lanka are its southern neighbours.

Know the Terms

Strait: A narrow channel of sea which separates two land masses.

Indira Point: Southernmost point of the Indian Union.

Equator: Imaginary line running on the globe dividing it into two equal parts.

Latitude: The angular distance from the equator of a point (north or south) on the earth’s surface, measured on the meridian of the point. It ranges from 0º at the equator to 90º (North or South) at the Poles.

Longitude: Angular distance on the earth’s surface, measured east or west from the Prime Meridian at Greenwich, England to the meridian passing through a position, expressed in degrees (or hours), minutes, and seconds.

Indian Standard Time: It is the time which is applicable all over India is called Indian Standard Time. The Standard Meridian of India is 82º 30’ E longitude, passing through Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh. It is five and half hour ahead of GMT.

Tropic of Cancer: The imaginary line which divides India into north and south is called Tropic of Cancer (23º30’N).

Peninsular Plateau: It is a tableland composed of the old crystalline, igneous and metamorphic rocks.

Significance of the central location of India in the Indian Ocean

1.     India has a central location between the east and west Asia.

2.     India is a south ward extension of the Asian continent.

3.     The Trans Indian Ocean routes connect the countries of Europe in the west and the countries of East Asia.

4.     Deccan Peninsula protrudes into the Indian Ocean and help India to have contact with West Asia, Africa and Europe from West Coast and with South-east and East Asia from Eastern Coast.

5.     No country other than India has long coastal line on Indian Ocean.

6.     India’s eminent position in the Indian Ocean justifies naming of an ocean after it.

Significance of the central location of India in the Indian Ocean

1.     This helps India to establish close contact with west Asia, Africa, Europe from western coast and with south-east and east Asia from the eastern coast.

2.     The sea routes have contributed in the exchange of ideas and commodities.

3.     The ideas of Upanishads and Ramayana, Indian numerals and the decimal system could reach many parts of the world.

4.     The spices, muslin and other merchandises were taken to other countries.

5.     Influence of Greek sculpture and styles of dome and minarets can be seen in our country.

Differences between Lakshadweep Island and Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Sl. No.	Lakshadweep	Andaman and Nicobar
1	Lakshadweep islands group is lying close to the Malabar coast	They are bigger in size and more in number.
2	This group of island is composed of small coral Islands.	It is believed that these Islands are elevated portion of submarine mountains.
3	It covers small area of 32 sq.km.	There is a great diversity of flora and fauna.
4	Kavarati is the head quarter of Lakshadweep.	These islands are close to equator and have thick forest cover.