India: Size and Location Class 9 Geography

India - Size and Location

Size of India

• India's total area accounts for about 2.4% of the total geographical area of the world.
• India's area is approximately 3.28 million square kilometers.

Location of India

• India is located in the Northern Hemisphere.
• India's latitudinal extend is between 8°4'N and 37°6'N.
• India's longitudinal extend is between 68°7'E and 97°25'E.
• India is divided into two equal parts by the Tropic of Cancer, which passes through the middle of the country.

Neighbouring Countries

• India shares land boundaries with several countries, including:
  • In the northwest: Pakistan and Afghanistan
  • In the north: Nepal, Bhutan, and China
  • In the east: Bangladesh and Myanmar
  • In the south: Sri Lanka

Standard Meridian of India

• The Standard Meridian of India is 82°30'E, which passes through the city of Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh.
• The Standard Meridian is chosen to be 82°30'E because it is an odd value that is equidistant from the extreme east and west points of India.

Time Zone

• India has a single time zone, which is based on the Standard Meridian.
• The time lag between Gujarat and Arunachal Pradesh is two hours, but the watches show the same time due to the single time zone.

States and Union Territories

• There are 29 states and 9 union territories in India.
• The smallest state in India is Goa, and the largest state is Rajasthan.

Coastline and Islands

• India has a coastline of approximately 7,517 kilometers.
• The island groups of India include the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Lakshadweep Islands.

Other Facts

• India is called a sub-continent due to its distinct geographical features and unique cultural identity.
• The southernmost point of India, Indira Point, was submerged under sea water in 2004.
• The Suez Canal, which connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, was opened in 1869.