Key Points
Key Points: Locational Setting-Area, Latitudinal and Longitudinal Extent of India
- Location & extent: India is in South Asia, separated from the rest of Asia by the Himalayas, and is called a subcontinent because of its vast size and physical diversity.
- Major physical divisions: India has the Himalayas in the north, the Indo-Gangetic Plain (fertile) in the north-central part, the Thar Desert in the west, and the Peninsular Plateau with Eastern and Western Coastal Plains.
- Latitudinal & longitudinal extent: India lies between 8°4′N to 37°6′N latitudes and 68°7′E to 97°25′E longitudes; the Tropic of Cancer passes through the middle of the country.
- Time difference east–west: The longitude difference is about 30°, causing about 2 hours time difference (Arunachal Pradesh has sunrise about 2 hours earlier than Saurashtra).
- Area, borders & coastline: India’s area is 32,87,263 sq. km (about 2.4% of the world), it has 15,200 km land borders (longest with Bangladesh, shortest with Afghanistan) and a coastline of 6,100 km (total sea frontier 7,517 km including islands).
Key Points: Importance of India's Location
- Central location in the Indian Ocean: India lies at the centre of the Eastern Hemisphere, at the head of the Indian Ocean, so it naturally controls major sea routes in all directions.
- Link between East and West: The Indian Ocean acts as a bridge, not a barrier—trade routes between Europe/West Asia/Africa (west) and Asia (east) pass near India’s shores.
- Peninsular advantage: India’s peninsula extends about 1,600 km into the ocean, dividing it into the Arabian Sea (west) and Bay of Bengal (east), giving India a strong coastal and maritime advantage.
- Strategic importance for sea and air routes: India’s long coastline and location make it important for international trade and air routes, many of which pass through or near India.
- Historical cultural and trade contacts: For centuries, India had major overseas links, spreading Hindu-Buddhist culture to Southeast Asia and influencing regions like Thailand, Indonesia (Bali), and Mauritius, showing India’s long-standing global cultural role.
Important Questions [10]
- Why is the location of India in the Indian Ocean considered to be significant? Give two reasons.
- Give two reasons to explain why India is considered to be a subcontinent.
- Name one country which forms a frontier with India in the north.
- Mention any two differences between the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats.
- Mention the latitudinal and the longitudinal extent of India.
- What is a subcontinent?
- On the Outline Map of India Provided : (A) Mark and Name the Major River Which Flows (B) Mark and Label the Thal Ghat Gap in the Western Ghats.
- Mention the land area of India in kilometres.
- Give any three differences between Eastern Coastal lowland and Western Coastal lowland.
- Why was the state of Chhattisgarh created?
