India: Geography Overview

India: Size, Location, States, and Landforms

Location of India

India is primarily located in the southern region of the Asian continent, with a small portion extending into the Middle East. The country is a peninsula, surrounded by the Bay of Bengal in the east, the Arabian Sea in the west, and the Indian Ocean to the south. India is separated from mainland Asia by the Himalayas, a mountain range that runs along the northern border.

States and Union Territories of India

India is politically divided into 28 states and 8 union territories. Some of the major states include Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Maharashtra, while the union territories include the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

Landforms of India

India's terrain is diverse, ranging from the Thar Desert in the west to the jungles in the northeast. The country is home to the Himalaya mountains, which are the highest mountain range in the world. The Ganges Plain, located in northern India, is a fertile area created from soil deposited by rivers flowing from the Himalaya. The Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert, is located in the northwestern part of India and is the world's 17th largest desert.

The landmass of India has an area of 3.28 million square kilometers, making it the seventh-largest country in the world. The country's coastline spans 7,516.6 kilometers, making it the longest coastline in the world.

India's varied climate zones support a diverse range of wildlife, with approximately 65,000 animal species and 12,000 types of flowering plants. Some of the rarest animals and plants in India are found in the Himalaya mountains, home to the elusive snow leopard.

In summary, India is strategically located in Asia, surrounded by water on three sides. It is politically divided into states and union territories, and its landscape includes diverse landforms such as mountains, deserts, and jungles.