Geography of India

Geographical Boundaries of India

• India's geographical boundaries are bordered by the Indian Ocean to the south, the Arabian Sea to the southwest, and the Bay of Bengal to the southeast.
• It shares land boundaries with seven countries: Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.

Population and Area of India

• The population of India as of 2011 is approximately 1.21 billion.
• The approximate area of India is 3,287,590 square kilometers.

Location and Time Zones

• India is located in the Northern Hemisphere, extending from 8°4’N to 37°6’N latitude and 68°7’E to 97°25’E longitude.
• India follows a single time zone, known as the Indian Standard Time (IST), which is based on the 82°30’E longitude.
• IST is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

Himalayan Ranges

• The three main parallel ranges of the Himalayas are the Great Himalayas, the Middle Himalayas, and the Shiwalik Hills.

Indian Plains and Landforms

• The Northern Indian plains are located between the Himalayas and the Deccan Plateau.
• The longitudinal extent of India is approximately 3,200 kilometers from west to east.
• India's diverse landforms include mountains, plateaus, plains, and islands.

Significance of the Tropic of Cancer

• The Tropic of Cancer passes through the center of India, dividing the country into two parts: the northern tropic and the southern tropic regions.
• The Tropic of Cancer plays a significant role in India's locational setting, influencing the country's climate, vegetation, and overall geography.

Unity of India

• The diversity of India's geography, culture, and people contributes to its unity as a nation, with its varied landforms, climates, and natural resources binding the country together.