CHAPTER-1

INDIA- SIZE AND LOCATION

1.Explain the following terms:

a. Subcontinent-A subcontinent is a distinctive geographical unit which stands out
distinctively from rest of the region because of its large size, varied climates, varied relief
etc.
b. Peninsula-Peninsula is a landmass which is surrounded by water bodies on three sides.
e.g.: India is surrounded with the Arabian Sea in the west, the Bay of Bengal in the east
and the Indian Ocean in the South.
c. Strait-It is a narrow stretch of water which separates two land masses e.g.the Palk Strait.
d. Island-A piece of land surrounded by seas on all sides, e.g.Sri Lanka, Lakshadweep.
e. Gulf-A gulf is a deep inlet of sea which is generally surrounded by land with a narrow
mouth. In simpler words we can say that it is a portion of an ocean that penetrates
land.e.g. Guf of Mannar.
f. Bay-A bay is a body of water partially surrounded by land. The mouth of the bay, where
meets the ocean or lake, is typically wider than that of a gulf.e.g Bay of Bengal.

2. Why is 82 ½° E selected as the Standard Meridian of India?

 82 ½° E is selected as it passes through the centre of our country. 30 longitudes pass

through India and there is a time difference of 4 mins between two longitudes.
 If we follow this, there is a time difference of 2 hours (4 X30 = 120) between Gujarat
and Arunachal Pradesh.
 In order to maintain the uniformity in time, the local time of 82 ½ ͦ E is taken as the
standard time of India.

3. The land routes through passes in India have contributed in exchange of ideas and
commodities since ancient times. Explain.

 The ideas of Upanishads and the Ramayana, the stories of Panchatantra, the Indian
numerals and the decimal system could reach many parts of the world.
 Spices, muslin and other merchandise were taken from India to different countries.
 On the other hand, the influence of Greek Sculpture and architectural style of domes
and minarets from West Asia can be seen in different parts of India.

4. What are the implications of the latitudinal extent of India?

 Tropic of Cancer (23 ½ ͦ N) divides India into two parts. The northern part lies in the
subtropical zone and southern part in the tropical zone.
 Temperature generally decreases with increasing latitude. Hence tropical part of India
near to the equator has warm and tropical climate with no distinct winters.
 Difference in the duration of day and night also increases from south to north. It is
less by one hour in Kanyakumari but almost 4 ½ hrs in the extreme north of Kashmir.

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 5. Why the difference between durations of day and night hardly felt in Kanyakumari
but not in Kashmir?

 The difference in the durations of day and night at Kanyakumari and Kashmir are
respectively due to their latitudinal locations.
 Kanyakumari is located closer to the equator and experiences a maximum difference
of 45 minutes between day and night.
 However, Kashmir lies further away from the equator and experience a significant
gap between the duration of day and night that can extend to as much as 3-5 hours.

6. Justify the naming of Indian Ocean named after India?

 Indian Ocean is named after India because India has a long coastline on the Indian Ocean.

7. Why is the north-south extent of India larger than its east-west extent even though
the countries latitudinal and longitudinal extent is of the same value?

 The latitudes are equidistant, but longitudes converge at the poles. The distance
between longitudes gets reduced as we move away from the equator.
 The distance between two consecutive latitude is 111km and it remains constant from
the equator towards the poles.
 But the difference between two consecutive longitudes is 111km at the equator, 96km
at 30°latitude, 56km at 60° latitude and 0km at the poles.

8. Explain why Ahmedabad and Kolkata are able to see the noon sun overhead twice
a year, but not Delhi.

 The sun’s apparent movement towards the north and south of equator is within the
two tropics.
 All places located within the tropics have overhead sun twice a year.
 Both Ahmedabad and Kolkata lie to the south of Tropic of Cancer that is why these
two cities are able to see noon sun overhead twice a year.
 Delhi is located at 29°N latitude much to the north of Tropic of Cancer.
 Sunrays are nearly overhead in the subtropical zone. It will never see noon sun
exactly overhead at any time of the year.

9. India occupies an important strategic position in south Asia. Discuss

 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.

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  The part that is attached to the Asian continent connects India through the land routes
and mountain passes to the various countries lying to its north, west and east.
 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.

10. Write the size and extent of India.

 India is the 7th largest country in the world. It has an area of 3.28 million sq.km.It
accounts for 2.4% of the world’s total area.
 India has a coastline of 7516.6 km including the Andaman and Nicobar islands and
the Lakshadweep islands.
 India has a land frontier of 15,200km.
 The latitudinal extent of India’s mainland is 8⁰4'N and 37⁰6'N.
 The longitudinal extent of India’s mainland is 68⁰7'E and 97⁰25'E.

11. What do you know about India and her neighbours?

 India occupies an important strategic position in south-east Asia. India has 28 states
and 8 Union Territories and one National Capital Territory.
 India shares her land borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan in the north-west, China
(Tibet), Nepal and Bhutan in the north, and Myanmar and Bangladesh in the east. Our
southern neighbours across the sea consists of two island countries i.e.Sri Lanka and
Maldives.
 Sri Lanka is separated from India by Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar while Maldives
islands are situated to the south of the Lakshadweep islands.

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