Chapter 1 India - Size and Location

India is one of the most ancient civilizations in the world. It has moved forward, displaying remarkable progress in the field of agriculture, industry, technology, and overall economic development. India has also contributed significantly to the making of world history. In Vidyakul CBSE Notes Class 9 Geography Chapter 1 on India – Size and Location, you will learn about India’s extent and standard meridian, India’s contact with the world through the International Highway of Trade and Commerce, and India’s neighbors. So, go through these Vidyakul CBSE Class 9 Social Science notes and explore these topics in detail.

Location

India is lying entirely in the Northern hemisphere, as shown in the figure below.

The land 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) divides India into almost two equal parts.

Size

India’s total area accounts for about 2.4% of the total geographical area of the world. Thus, it is the 7th largest country in the world, by its size.

India has a land boundary of about 15,200 km.

The total length of the coastline of the mainland is 7,516.6 km including Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep.

India is bounded by mountains in the northwest, north, and northeast. South of about 22° north latitude, it begins to taper and extends towards the Indian Ocean, dividing it into two seas, the Arabian Sea on the west and the Bay of Bengal on the east.

Time along the Standard Meridian of India (82°30’E) passing through Mirzapur (in Uttar Pradesh) is taken as the standard time for India.

India and the World

The Indian landmass has a central location between East and West Asia. India is a southward extension of the Asian continent. The trans-Indian Ocean routes connect the countries of Europe in the West and the countries of East Asia. No other country has as long a coastline on the Indian Ocean as India has. India’s contacts with the World have continued through the ages. The spices, muslin, and other merchandise were taken from India to different countries. On the other hand, the influence of Greek sculpture, and the architectural styles of domes and minarets from West Asia can be seen in different parts of India.

India’s Neighbours

India has 29 states and seven Union Territories. India shares its land boundaries with

Pakistan and Afghanistan in the northwest

China (Tibet), Nepal, and Bhutan in the north

Myanmar and Bangladesh in the east

The southern neighbors across the sea consist of the two island countries, Sri Lanka and Maldives. India has had strong geographical and historical links with its neighbors.

Exercise 

1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.

(i) The Tropic of Cancer does not pass through

(a) Rajasthan (b) Odisha

(c) Chhattisgarh (d) Tripura

(ii) The easternmost longitude of India is

(a) 97° 25′ E (b) 68° 7′ E

(c) 77° 6′ E (d) 82° 32′ E

(iii) Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Sikkim have common frontiers with

(a) China (b) Bhutan

(c) Nepal (d) Myanmar

(iv) If you intend to visit Kavarati during your summer vacations, which one of the following Union Territories of India will you be going to

(a) Puducherry (b) Lakshadweep

(c) Andaman and Nicobar (d) Daman and Diu

(v) My friend hails from a country which does not share a land boundary with India. Identify the country.

(a) Bhutan (b) Tajikistan

(c) Bangladesh (d) Nepal

Answer:

(i) The Tropic of Cancer does not pass through – (b) Odisha.

(ii) The easternmost longitude of India is – (a) 97° 25′ E.

(iii) Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Sikkim have common frontiers with (c) Nepal.

(iv) Kavarati is situated in the union territory of (b) Lakshadweep.

(v) (b) Tajikistan does not share a land boundary with India.

2. Answer the following questions briefly.

(i) Name the group of islands lying in the Arabian Sea.

(ii) Name the countries which are larger than India.

(iii) Which island group of India lies to its southeast?

(iv) Which island countries are our southern neighbors?

Answer

(i): India lies in the Northern hemisphere, with the mainland extending 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) divides the country into almost two equal parts, where the Lakshadweep islands lie in the Arabian Sea to the south-west of the mainland, and the Andaman and Nicobar islands lie in the Bay of Bengal to the south-east of the mainland.

(ii): The countries which are larger than India are Russia, Canada, the U.S.A, China, Brazil, and Australia. Russia is the largest of all countries, with an area of 17.09 million sq. km, while India has an area of 3.28 million sq. km.

(iii): The Andaman and Nicobar islands lie to the south-east of India in the Bay of Bengal. India has a land boundary of about 15,200 km. The total length of the coastline, including the islands of Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep, is 7,516.6 km.

(iv): The island countries that are our southern neighbors are Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Maldives Islands are situated to the south of the Lakshadweep Islands, whereas Sri Lanka is separated from India by a narrow channel of sea formed by the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar.

3. The sun rises two hours earlier in Arunachal Pradesh as compared to Gujarat in the west, but the watches show at the same time. How does this happen?

Answer: The latitudinal and longitudinal extent of India is about 30°. The east-west extent is smaller than the north-south extent. There is a time lag of two hours from Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh. As Arunachal Pradesh lies on the eastern side of India, the sun rises here earlier when compared to Gujarat. The time along the Standard Meridian of India (82°30’E) passing through Mirzapur (in Uttar Pradesh) is taken as the standard time for the whole country. The latitudinal extent influences the duration of day and night as one move from south to north. Therefore, the watches show at the same time in all parts of the country.

4. The central location of India at the head of the Indian Ocean is considered of great significance. Why?

Answer: India is a southward extension of the Asian continent and is located in a central position between East and West Asia. The Indian Ocean provides a strategic central location to India, as it connects the East Asian countries with Europe in the West. The Deccan Peninsula also protrudes into the Indian Ocean, thus helping India establish close contact with West Asia, Africa, and Europe from the western coast and with Southeast and East Asia from the eastern coast. There is no other country like India in the world which has a long coastline on the Indian Ocean and thus, justifying the naming of an ocean after it.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the name of the Indian landform?

India is of a peninsula form as it is surrounded by water on 3 of its sides.

When was the Indian landform formed?

Indian landform is said to have formed about 140 million years ago.

How many states and union territories are present in India?

India consists of 28 States and 8 Union Territories.