Chapter 1: India – Size and Location
1. Introduction
Historical Significance: India is an ancient civilization with significant achievements in agriculture, industry, and technology.
Geographical Position: India is situated entirely in the Northern Hemisphere.
2. Location and Extent
Latitude and Longitude: India's mainland lies between 8°4'N to 37°6'N latitudes and 68°7'E to 97°25'E longitudes.
Divisions:
The Tropic of Cancer (23°30'N) divides India into almost two equal halves.
India's Standard Meridian is 82°30'E, passing through Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh.
3. Size
Area: India covers 3.28 million square km, making it the seventh-largest country globally.
Boundaries: It has a land boundary of about 15,200 km and a coastline of 7,516.6 km.
Significance: India's location provides a strategic position in South Asia, with proximity to the Indian Ocean.
4. India and the World
Central Location in Asia: India acts as a bridge between the East and West due to its location in Asia.
Historical Trade Routes: India's connections via land and sea routes facilitated the exchange of culture, ideas, and goods, including the Upanishads, spices, and Indian numerals.
5. India's Neighbours
Land Borders: Shares borders with Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.
Maritime Neighbours: Sri Lanka (separated by Palk Strait) and Maldives (south of Lakshadweep Islands).
6. Exercises and Map Skills
Questions: Includes multiple-choice questions on India's geography, latitudinal and longitudinal extent, and neighboring countries.
Map Skills: Exercises to identify India's island groups, neighboring countries, and states through which the Tropic of Cancer passes.
