India: Size and Location

This geography chapter introduces the size and location of India. You will learn that the mainland of India extends between latitudes 8 degrees 4 minutes N and 37 degrees 6 minutes N, and longitudes 68 degrees 7 minutes E and 97 degrees 25 minutes E. The Tropic of Cancer, at 23 degrees 30 minutes N, divides the country into almost two equal parts. With an area of 3.28 million square km, India is the seventh largest country and covers about 2.4 percent of the world's area. It has a land boundary of about 15,200 km and a coastline of 7,516.6 km including the islands. You will see why there is a time difference of about two hours between Gujarat and Arunachal Pradesh, and why 82 degrees 30 minutes E, passing through Mirzapur, was chosen as the Standard Meridian. You will also study India's central position in the Indian Ocean, its historic links through land routes and sea routes, and its seven neighbours, from Pakistan to Myanmar.

Detailed Worksheet: India: Size and Location Section A - Definitions (10 marks) 1. What are the latitudinal and longitudinal extents of the mainland of India? (2 marks) 2. What is the Standard Meridian of India? Through which town does it pass? (2 marks) 3. Name the two island groups of India and the water bodies in which they lie. (2 marks) 4. Name India's neighbouring countries that share a land boundary with it. (2 marks) 5. Which two countries are India's southern neighbours across the sea? Which water bodies separate them? (2 marks) Section B - Calculations and Applications (15 marks) 6. The mainland extends from 68 degrees 7 minutes E to 97 degrees 25 minutes E. Find the longitudinal extent in degrees and minutes. The Earth turns 1 degree in 4 minutes. Find the time difference between the two ends. (3 marks) 7. The Standard Meridian is 82 degrees 30 minutes E. Find the time difference between IST and Greenwich Mean Time. If it is 6:00 a.m. at Greenwich, what is the time in India? (3 marks) 8. India's area is 3.28 million square km and it covers 2.4% of the world's land area. Estimate the total land area of the world, correct to one decimal place in million square km. (3 marks) 9. The latitudinal extent is from 8 degrees 4 minutes N to 37 degrees 6 minutes N. Find the extent in degrees and minutes. One degree of latitude is about 111 km. Estimate the north-south distance, correct to the nearest 100 km, and compare it with the official 3,214 km. (3 marks) 10. India's land boundary is about 15,200 km and its coastline 7,516.6 km. Find the total boundary length. What percentage of it is coastline, correct to one decimal place? (3 marks) Section C - Diagrams (10 marks) 11. On an outline map of India, mark the Tropic of Cancer, the Standard Meridian, the southernmost point of the mainland and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. (4 marks) 12. Draw a diagram showing India's neighbouring countries and the direction in which each lies. (3 marks) 13. Draw a diagram showing how the Earth's rotation causes a time difference between Gujarat and Arunachal Pradesh. (3 marks) Section D - Analysis and Higher-order Thinking (15 marks) 14. Explain the significance of India's central location at the head of the Indian Ocean. How has this helped trade and culture? (5 marks) 15. Why is the duration of day and night nearly the same at Kanyakumari but different by several hours in Kashmir? Explain with reasons. (5 marks) 16. Describe India's historic links with the world through land and sea routes. Give examples of ideas and goods exchanged. (5 marks) Instructions: Time allowed 2 hours. Attempt all sections. Show all calculations and label all maps clearly.