Chapter 1 India Size and location

The Tropic of Cancer doesn’t pass through Orissa. The Tropic of Cancer is the parallel of latitude that is almost 23.1⁄2 degrees north of the equator and is the northernmost latitude reached by the overhead sun.

To avoid any confusion 97°25'E (easternmost longitude) and 68°7'E (westernmost longitude) is considered to be the Standard Meridian of India.

Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim have common frontiers with Nepal. Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram have common frontiers with Myanmar.

If we intend to visit Kavarati during our summer vacations, then we will be going to Lakshadweep islands. Kavarati is the capital of Lakshadweep islands.

Tajikistan does not share land boundary with India. India shares its land boundary with Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, China and Pakistan.

Lakshadweep islands lies in the Arabian Sea. Lakshadweep islands is a group of 36 islands and has a total land area of 32 sq. kilometer.

The following countries are larger in size than India:

(i) Russia

(ii) Canada

(iii) China

(iv) U.S.A.

(v) Brazil

(vi) Australia

Andaman and Nicobar lies to the South east of India. Port Blair is the capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and has an area of 8,249 km ². There are 572 islands in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

India’s southern neighbors are Sri Lanka and Maldives. India shares smooth ties with both Sri Lanka and Maldives and many Indian travellers visit Sri Lanka and Maldives every year.

The earth moves around its axis and completes one rotation (360’) in about 24 hours. Also, the longitudinal gap between Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat is approximately 30’. Because of this gap there is a difference of two hours between these two states. Arunachal Pradesh is located in the east and hence, sun rises earlier here as compared to Gujarat. However, Indian Standard time is taken Standard Meridian of 82.30' and this is why the watches in both the states show the same time.

Location of India at the head of the Indian Ocean is considered significant because:
(i) India has got the strategic advantage because of the Trans Indian Ocean routes that connect the Western European countries with the countries of East Asia.
(ii) The location of India has helped her in establishing close ties with West Asian and African and European countries from the west coast and with the Southeast and East Asian countries from the Eastern coast. India’s ties with other countries are based on several factors for physiological, anatomical, spiritual, technical, and material knowledge.
(iii) India enjoys a distinct type of climatic condition from the rest of the other Asian countries due to its long coastline.

Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea and Andaman Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal.
The island groups of India can be divided into two parts according to their location. Among the islands located in the Bay of Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar group of islands are the most important group of islands. Arabian Sea islands are closer to the mainland, so they are comparatively developed.

India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka constitute Indian sub-continent.

The term "subcontinent" signifies a "subdivision of a continent which has a distinct geographical, political, or cultural identity" and also a "large land mass somewhat smaller than a continent”.

The Tropic of Cancer passes through Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura and Mizoram.

The Tropic of Cancer is currently 23°26′13.2″ north of the Equator. It lies in the Northern Hemisphere; its southern counterpart is ‘The Tropic of Capricorn’.

37° 6 N is the northernmost latitude of India.

The northernmost and southernmost latitude of India lies in the Northern Hemisphere.

8° 4' N is the southernmost latitude of the Indian mainland.

The southernmost point of the Indian Union– 'Indira Point' got submerged under the sea water in 2004 during the Tsunami

Westernmost longitude of India- 68° 7' E and Easternmost longitude of India - 97° 25' E

The Westernmost longitude of India is just east of Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh and the easternmost longitude of India is just west of Ghuar Mota in Gujarat.

Kanyakumari is a town in Tamil Nadu and is situated on three water bodies, namely; Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea.

The Palk Strait separates Sri Lanka from India. It lies in Tamil Nadu in India and the Mannar district of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Delhi, Lakshadweep and Pondicherry are the seven Union Territories of India.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands is the largest Union Territory of India. Lakshadweep islands is the smallest Union Territory of India.

In every map, the degrees are mentioned and students can draw dotted lines to connect these degrees from North to South and East to West to determine the latitudinal and longitudinal extent of their respective states.

Hint- Students should collect information themselves with proper guidance from teachers. Students may use the below information while answering the question.

(i) Silk route holds historical significance as it was an essential transnational trade route between China and Mediterranean Sea.

(ii) Silk was exported from China to the Western countries via this route.

(iii) This route promoted exchange of cultural heritage.

(iv) In modern times, several new developments are being taken for improving the communication routes in the areas of high elevation.

(v) Development in technology has made the areas advance in terms of better transportation and communication lines.