India is one of the largest and most geographically diverse countries in the world. It occupies an important position in South Asia and connects the eastern and western parts of the Asian continent. Its location has influenced its climate, trade, culture, history and international relations.
This article provides complete study material on India Size and Location, including important geographical facts, solved multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions and long-answer questions for students of Dhingra Classes Nashik.
Geographical Location of India
India is located entirely in the Northern and Eastern Hemispheres.
The mainland of India extends between:
- 8°4’N and 37°6’N latitudes
- 68°7’E and 97°25’E longitudes
The southernmost point of the Indian mainland is Kanyakumari. The southernmost point of the entire Indian Union is Indira Point, located on Great Nicobar Island.
The Tropic of Cancer, at 23°30’N latitude, passes almost through the middle of India. It divides the country into two almost equal parts:
- The tropical region to the south
- The subtropical region to the north
The Tropic of Cancer passes through eight Indian states:
- Gujarat
- Rajasthan
- Madhya Pradesh
- Chhattisgarh
- Jharkhand
- West Bengal
- Tripura
- Mizoram
Size of India
India is the seventh-largest country in the world by area. It covers approximately 3.28 million square kilometres, which is about 2.4% of the total geographical area of the world.
India has a land boundary of approximately 15,200 kilometres. Including the coastline of the mainland, Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the total coastline is approximately 7,516.6 kilometres.
India measures about:
- 3,214 kilometres from north to south
- 2,933 kilometres from east to west
India has a vast geographical area, extending from the snow-covered Himalayas in the north to the Indian Ocean in the south.
India’s Neighbouring Countries
India shares land boundaries with seven countries:
- Pakistan in the northwest
- Afghanistan in the northwest
- China, Nepal and Bhutan in the north
- Myanmar in the east
- Bangladesh in the east
Sri Lanka and the Maldives are India’s island neighbours.
Sri Lanka is separated from India by the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar. The Maldives lies to the south of the Lakshadweep Islands.
India’s Central Location
India has a strategically important location at the head of the Indian Ocean. The Indian Ocean is named after India because of its central position.
India is situated between:
- West Asia and East Asia
- Europe and Southeast Asia
- The western coast of Africa and the eastern coast of Asia
The Deccan Peninsula extends into the Indian Ocean, dividing it into two major water bodies:
- The Arabian Sea to the southwest
- The Bay of Bengal to the southeast
India’s location has helped it establish trade and cultural links with countries in Asia, Africa and Europe.
Indian Standard Meridian
India has a longitudinal extent of nearly 30 degrees. This creates a time difference of almost two hours between the easternmost and westernmost parts of the country.
The local time difference between Gujarat and Arunachal Pradesh is approximately two hours. To maintain uniformity in time throughout the country, India follows a standard meridian.
The Indian Standard Meridian is 82°30’E longitude. It passes through Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh.
Indian Standard Time is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, or UTC+5:30.
Importance of India’s Location
India’s location is important for several reasons:
- It lies at the centre of the Indian Ocean region.
- It connects Europe and Africa with Southeast Asia through sea routes.
- It has a long coastline suitable for trade and transport.
- It shares boundaries with several Asian countries.
- Its central position encouraged cultural exchange.
- The Himalayan mountains protect India from the north.
- The Indian Ocean influences the country’s climate and monsoon system.
20 Solved MCQs on India: Size and Location
1. What is the latitudinal extent of mainland India?
a) 6°4’N to 35°6’N
b) 8°4’N to 37°6’N
c) 10°4’N to 40°6’N
d) 7°4’N to 36°6’N
Answer: b) 8°4’N to 37°6’N
2. What is the longitudinal extent of India?
a) 68°7’E to 97°25’E
b) 60°7’E to 90°25’E
c) 70°7’E to 100°25’E
d) 65°7’E to 95°25’E
Answer: a) 68°7’E to 97°25’E
3. India is the world’s:
a) Fifth-largest country
b) Sixth-largest country
c) Seventh-largest country
d) Eighth-largest country
Answer: c) Seventh-largest country
4. What is the area of India?
a) 2.28 million square kilometres
b) 3.28 million square kilometres
c) 4.28 million square kilometres
d) 5.28 million square kilometres
Answer: b) 3.28 million square kilometres
5. India accounts for approximately what percentage of the world’s geographical area?
a) 1.4%
b) 2.4%
c) 3.4%
d) 4.4%
Answer: b) 2.4%
6. Which latitude passes almost through the middle of India?
a) Equator
b) Tropic of Capricorn
c) Tropic of Cancer
d) Arctic Circle
Answer: c) Tropic of Cancer
7. The Tropic of Cancer is located at:
a) 0° latitude
b) 23°30’N latitude
c) 66°30’N latitude
d) Tropic of Cancer
Answer: b) 23°30’N latitude
8. How many Indian states are crossed by the Tropic of Cancer?
a) Six
b) Seven
c) Eight
d) Nine
Answer: c) Eight
9. Which is the southernmost point of the Indian mainland?
a) Indira Point
b) Kanyakumari
c) Port Blair
d) Minicoy
Answer: b) Kanyakumari
10. Which is the southernmost point of the Indian Union?
a) Kanyakumari
b) Indira Point
c) Great Nicobar
d) Rameswaram
Answer: b) Indira Point
11. What is the Indian Standard Meridian?
a) 80°30’E
b) 81°30’E
c) 82°30’E
d) 83°30’E
Answer: c) 82°30’E
12. The Indian Standard Meridian passes through:
a) Lucknow
b) Mirzapur
c) New Delhi
d) Bhopal
Answer: b) Mirzapur
13. Indian Standard Time is ahead of Greenwich Mean Time by:
a) 4 hours
b) 5 hours
c) 5 hours 30 minutes
d) 6 hours
Answer: c) 5 hours 30 minutes
14. Which water body lies to the southwest of India?
a) Bay of Bengal
b) Arabian Sea
c) Red Sea
d) Pacific Ocean
Answer: b) Arabian Sea
15. Which water body lies to the southeast of India?
a) Arabian Sea
b) Bay of Bengal
c) Caspian Sea
d) Mediterranean Sea
Answer: b) Bay of Bengal
16. Sri Lanka is separated from India by:
a) Bering Strait
b) Palk Strait
c) Malacca Strait
d) Bosporus Strait
Answer: b) Palk Strait
17. Which country is not a land neighbour of India?
a) Nepal
b) Bhutan
c) Sri Lanka
d) Myanmar
Answer: c) Sri Lanka
18. India’s north-south extent is approximately:
a) 2,214 kilometres
b) 3,214 kilometres
c) 4,214 kilometres
d) 5,214 kilometres
Answer: b) 3,214 kilometres
19. India’s east-west extent is approximately:
a) 1,933 kilometres
b) 2,933 kilometres
c) 3,933 kilometres
d) 4,933 kilometres
Answer: b) 2,933 kilometres
20. India is located in which hemispheres?
a) Northern and Western
b) Southern and Eastern
c) Northern and Eastern
d) Southern and Western
Answer: c) Northern and Eastern
20 Solved Short-Answer Questions
1. What is the latitudinal extent of mainland India?
The mainland of India extends from 8°4’N to 37°6’N latitudes.
2. What is the longitudinal extent of India?
India extends from 68°7’E to 97°25’E longitudes.
3. What is the total area of India?
India covers an area of approximately 3.28 million square kilometres.
4. What percentage of the world’s area is occupied by India?
India occupies approximately 2.4% of the total geographical area of the world.
5. Why is India called a subcontinent?
India is called a subcontinent because of its large size, distinct geographical features, separate climatic conditions and natural boundaries, especially the Himalayas.
6. Name the southernmost point of mainland India.
Kanyakumari is the southernmost point of mainland India.
7. Name the southernmost point of the Indian Union.
Indira Point, located on Great Nicobar Island, is the southernmost point of the Indian Union.
8. What is the Tropic of Cancer?
The Tropic of Cancer is an imaginary line located at 23°30’N latitude. It passes through the middle of India.
9. Name the states through which the Tropic of Cancer passes.
The Tropic of Cancer passes through Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura and Mizoram.
10. Why is there a time difference within India?
India has a longitudinal extent of nearly 30 degrees. Since the Earth rotates from west to east, the eastern parts experience sunrise earlier than the western parts, causing a time difference.
11. What is the Indian Standard Meridian?
The 82°30’E longitude is known as the Indian Standard Meridian.
12. Where does the Indian Standard Meridian pass?
The Indian Standard Meridian passes through Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh.
13. Why was Indian Standard Time adopted?
Indian Standard Time was adopted to maintain one uniform time throughout the country despite the difference in local time between eastern and western India.
14. Name the countries sharing land boundaries with India.
India shares land boundaries with Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and Bangladesh.
15. Name India’s island neighbours.
Sri Lanka and the Maldives are India’s island neighbours.
16. How is Sri Lanka separated from India?
Sri Lanka is separated from India by the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar.
17. Why is the Indian Ocean named after India?
The Indian Ocean is named after India because India has a central position at the head of the ocean and its peninsula projects deeply into it.
18. Which seas surround the Indian Peninsula?
The Arabian Sea lies to the west, the Bay of Bengal lies to the east and the Indian Ocean lies to the south of the Indian Peninsula.
19. What is the approximate length of India’s coastline?
The total coastline of India, including its islands, is approximately 7,516.6 kilometres.
20. What is India’s position in terms of area among the countries of the world?
India is the seventh-largest country in the world by area.
15 Solved Long-Answer Questions
1. Explain the geographical location of India.
India is located in the Northern and Eastern Hemispheres. Mainland India extends between 8°4’N and 37°6’N latitudes and 68°7’E and 97°25’E longitudes. The Tropic of Cancer, located at 23°30’N latitude, passes through the middle of the country.
India has the Himalayan mountain ranges in the north and the Indian Ocean in the south. The Arabian Sea lies to the southwest and the Bay of Bengal lies to the southeast. This location gives India great geographical and strategic importance.
2. Describe the size of India.
India is the seventh-largest country in the world. It covers approximately 3.28 million square kilometres, which is about 2.4% of the world’s geographical area.
The country extends about 3,214 kilometres from north to south and approximately 2,933 kilometres from east to west. India has a land boundary of about 15,200 kilometres and a total coastline of approximately 7,516.6 kilometres, including its islands.
3. Explain the importance of the Tropic of Cancer in India.
The Tropic of Cancer is located at 23°30’N latitude and passes almost through the middle of India. It divides the country into two nearly equal parts.
The region south of the Tropic of Cancer has a tropical character, while the region to its north has subtropical features. The Tropic of Cancer also helps in understanding variations in temperature, climate and length of day and night across India.
It passes through eight states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura and Mizoram.
4. Explain the importance of India’s central location in the Indian Ocean.
India occupies a central position at the head of the Indian Ocean. The Deccan Peninsula extends into the ocean and divides it into the Arabian Sea in the west and the Bay of Bengal in the east.
This position has helped India develop trade and cultural relations with countries in Africa, Europe, West Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia. Sea routes passing through the Indian Ocean connect the western and eastern parts of the world. India’s location is also important for defence, international trade and communication.
5. Why is India’s location important for international trade?
India is located between important trade regions of the world. It lies close to West Asia, Africa, Europe and Southeast Asia. Its long coastline provides access to major sea routes.
The Indian Ocean enables India to trade with countries on both its eastern and western sides. Ports along the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal support the movement of goods, raw materials and energy resources. Therefore, India’s location has played an important role in its economic development.
6. Describe India’s neighbouring countries.
India shares land boundaries with seven countries. Pakistan and Afghanistan lie to the northwest. China, Nepal and Bhutan are located to the north. Myanmar and Bangladesh lie to the east.
India also has island neighbours. Sri Lanka lies to the south and is separated from India by the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar. The Maldives lies to the south of the Lakshadweep Islands.
7. Why was the Indian Standard Meridian selected?
India has a large longitudinal extent of nearly 30 degrees. This creates a local time difference of about two hours between Gujarat in the west and Arunachal Pradesh in the east.
To avoid confusion caused by different local times, a common standard time was adopted. The longitude of 82°30’E was selected as the Indian Standard Meridian because it passes almost through the centre of the country. It passes through Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh.
8. Explain the east-west time difference in India.
The Earth rotates from west to east. As a result, places in the east experience sunrise before places in the west. India’s easternmost and westernmost locations have a difference of nearly 30 degrees of longitude.
Since 1° longitude represents a time difference of approximately four minutes, the total time difference is nearly two hours. Therefore, sunrise occurs earlier in Arunachal Pradesh than in Gujarat. Indian Standard Time helps maintain a common time throughout the country.
9. Discuss the relationship between India and the Indian Ocean.
India has a close geographical and historical relationship with the Indian Ocean. The country projects into the ocean through the Deccan Peninsula. This gives India a central position in the Indian Ocean region.
The ocean has supported India’s trade, cultural exchange and contacts with other countries. Historically, Indian traders, sailors and religious teachers travelled to Southeast Asia, East Africa and West Asia through sea routes. Even today, the Indian Ocean is important for shipping, energy transportation and national security.
10. Describe the land boundary and coastline of India.
India’s land boundary is approximately 15,200 kilometres long. It includes boundaries with Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and Bangladesh.
India has a total coastline of approximately 7,516.6 kilometres, including the mainland coastline and the coastlines of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. The Arabian Sea is located to the west, the Bay of Bengal to the east and the Indian Ocean to the south.
11. Explain how India’s location influenced its cultural development.
India’s location allowed it to maintain contact with different parts of Asia, Africa and Europe. Mountain passes in the north and sea routes in the south facilitated the movement of people, ideas, goods and religious beliefs.
Indian culture, religions, languages, art and trade spread to several Southeast Asian countries. At the same time, India also received cultural influences from Central Asia, West Asia and Europe. Thus, India’s location encouraged cultural interaction while preserving its own distinct identity.
12. Explain the geographical significance of the Indian Peninsula.
The Indian Peninsula projects southward into the Indian Ocean. It is surrounded by the Arabian Sea on the west, the Bay of Bengal on the east and the Indian Ocean on the south.
This projection gives India a central position in the Indian Ocean. It supports maritime trade and provides access to important international sea routes. The peninsula also influences India’s climate, particularly the monsoon winds and rainfall patterns.
13. How does India’s location affect its climate?
India’s location in the tropical and subtropical zones affects its temperature and rainfall. The Himalayas prevent extremely cold winds from Central Asia from entering the country. The surrounding seas moderate temperatures along the coastal regions.
The Indian Ocean also influences the monsoon winds. During summer, the land heats up and draws moisture-laden winds from the ocean. These winds bring rainfall to large parts of India. Therefore, India’s location has a direct influence on its monsoon climate.
14. Compare the northern and southern parts of India on the basis of location.
The northern part of India lies mainly in the subtropical zone and includes the Himalayan mountain system and the Northern Plains. It experiences greater seasonal temperature variations.
The southern part lies largely in the tropical zone and forms the Deccan Peninsula. It is surrounded by seas on three sides and experiences a maritime influence. The southern region generally has less extreme temperatures compared with the northern interior regions.
15. Write an account of the geographical importance of India.
India’s geographical importance is based on its size, central location and physical features. It is the seventh-largest country in the world and has a long coastline and extensive land boundaries.
Its position in the Indian Ocean connects Europe, Africa and Asia. The Himalayas provide a natural northern boundary, while the peninsula gives access to important sea routes. India’s location has influenced its climate, agriculture, trade, culture and international relations. For these reasons, India occupies an important position in South Asia and the world.
Important Map Work
Students should practise locating and labelling the following places and features on an outline map of India:
- Tropic of Cancer
- Indian Standard Meridian
- Kanyakumari
- Indira Point
- Arabian Sea
- Bay of Bengal
- Indian Ocean
- Palk Strait
- Gulf of Mannar
- Pakistan
- Afghanistan
- China
- Nepal
- Bhutan
- Bangladesh
- Myanmar
- Sri Lanka
- Maldives
- Mirzapur
- The eight states crossed by the Tropic of Cancer
Quick Revision Points
- India lies in the Northern and Eastern Hemispheres.
- Mainland India extends from 8°4’N to 37°6’N.
- India extends from 68°7’E to 97°25’E.
- India is the seventh-largest country in the world.
- India covers about 3.28 million square kilometres.
- India occupies about 2.4% of the world’s geographical area.
- The Tropic of Cancer passes through eight Indian states.
- The Indian Standard Meridian is 82°30’E.
- The Standard Meridian passes through Mirzapur.
- India’s mainland coastline is approximately 6,100 kilometres long.
- The total coastline, including islands, is approximately 7,516.6 kilometres.
- Sri Lanka is separated from India by the Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar.
- India’s central position makes the Indian Ocean strategically important.
- Kanyakumari is the southernmost point of mainland India.
- Indira Point is the southernmost point of the Indian Union.
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