Chapter 1 India – Size And Location

Location

India, one of the world's ancient civilizations, is a vast country situated entirely in the Northern Hemisphere. Its mainland spans latitudes 8°4'N to 37°6'N and longitudes 68°7'E to 97°25'E. The country is bordered by young fold mountains in the northwest, north, and northeast. South of approximately 22° north latitude, it narrows and extends towards the Indian Ocean, dividing it into the Arabian Sea to the west and the Bay of Bengal to the east. Despite a significant east-west extent (influenced by the longitudinal difference), the north-south extent appears larger. India observes a standard time based on the meridian 82°30'E, passing through Mirzapur, to account for the two-hour time difference between Gujarat and Arunachal Pradesh. The latitudinal extent significantly affects the duration of day and night, with this variation being less pronounced in the south (Kanniyakumari) compared to the north (Kashmir).

India and its Neighbours

India occupies a strategic position in South Asia, sharing its land boundaries with Pakistan and Afghanistan in the northwest, China (Tibet), Nepal, and Bhutan in the north, and Myanmar and Bangladesh in the east. Across the sea, its southern neighbors are the island countries of Sri Lanka and Maldives. Sri Lanka is separated from India by the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar, while the Maldives lie south of the Lakshadweep Islands. India's long coastline on the Indian Ocean, a unique feature among nations, justifies the ocean being named after it. The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 significantly reduced the distance between India and Europe. India's historical and cultural connections with the world have been facilitated by land routes through mountain passes and maritime contacts across the oceans, leading to the exchange of ideas and commodities.

Size

India is the seventh-largest country in the world by area. Its land boundary measures approximately 15,200 km, and the total coastline, including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, stretches 7,516.6 km. The country's latitudinal and longitudinal extent is about 30°, which contributes to diverse climatic conditions and day-night durations across different regions.

India And The World

India's central location on the Asian continent, bridging East and West Asia, is of significant strategic importance. Its southward extension into the Indian Ocean facilitates close contact with West Asia, Africa, and Europe via maritime routes from the west coast, and with Southeast and East Asia from the eastern coast. These routes have played a crucial role in exchanging ideas and commodities since ancient times, influencing cultural and architectural styles across various regions.

India’s Neighbours

India has 28 states and nine Union Territories. Its neighbors include Pakistan, Afghanistan, China (Tibet), Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. Across the sea, Sri Lanka and the Maldives are its southern neighbors.

Exercise

The exercises at the end of the chapter include multiple-choice questions to test understanding of India's location, size, and neighboring countries. Short answer questions require recalling specific geographical details like island groups and neighboring countries. The chapter also includes questions that prompt deeper thought on the significance of India's central location and the reason behind the selection of the Standard Meridian. Map skills are emphasized through exercises requiring the identification of various geographical features and political boundaries on a map. Project activities encourage students to explore their state's geographical extent and research historical trade routes like the Silk Route.