1. India – Size and Location

NCERT questions:-

1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below:

(i) The Tropic of Cancer does not pass through.

a) Rajasthan

b) Odisha

c) Chhattisgarh

d) Tripura

Ans. b) Odisha

The Tropic of Cancer passes through the (west to east) states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura and Mizoram.

(ii)  The eastern most longitude of India is:

a) 97˚ 25’ East

b) 68˚ 7’ East

c) 77˚ 6’ East

d) 82˚ 32’ East

Ans. a) 97˚ 25’ East

The eastern most longitude touches Arunachal Pradesh in east.

(iii) Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim have common frontiers with.

a) China

b) Bhutan

c) Nepal

d) Myanmar

Ans. c) Nepal

According to Nepal and British ‘Sugauli’ treaty in 1816 the border is known as ‘Sunauli’.

(iv) If you intend to visit Kavaratti during your summer vacations, which one of the following Union Territories of India you will be going to?

a) Pondicherry

b) Lakshadweep

c) Andaman and Nicobar

d) Diu and Daman

Ans. b) Lakshadweep

It is an island group in Arabian Sea, to the west south west of mainland India.

(v) My friends hail from a country which does not share land boundary with India. Identify the country.

a) Bhutan

b) Tajikistan

c) Bangladesh

d) Nepal

Ans. b) Tajikistan

The neighboring countries of India are Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

2. Answer the following questions briefly

(i)  Name the group of islands lying in the Arabian Sea.

The group of islands lying in the Arabian Sea are Lakshadweep Islands.

(ii) Name the countries which are larger than India.

The countries which are larger than India are.

Russia, Canada. USA, China. Brazil, Australia. Hence India stands on the seventh number.

 (iii) Which island group of India lies to its South East?

Island groups of India that lies to its southeast are Andaman and Nicobar Islands in Bay of Bengal. The 10˚ Channel pass in between Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

(iv) Which island countries are our southern neighbours?

The island countries that are our southern neighbours are Maldives and Sri Lanka.

3. The sun rises two hours earlier in Arunachal Pradesh as compared to Gujarat in the West, but the watches show the same time. How does this happen?

The sun rises two hours earlier in Arunachal Pradesh as compared to Gujarat in the West, but the watches show the same time:

a) As we have one Standard Time for the whole of the nation.

b) It is known as IST Indian Standard Time at 82˚ 30’ E.

c) It passes through Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh.

d) It touches the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.

4. The central location of India at the head of the Indian Ocean is considered of great significance. Why?

The central location of India at the head of the Indian Ocean is considered of a great significance as:

a) The Indian landmass has a central location between the East and the West Asia.

b) India is a southward extension of Asian continent.

c) The Trans Indian Ocean routes, which connect the countries of Europe and Africa in the West and the countries of East Asia, provide strategic central location to India.

d) The Deccan Peninsula protrudes into the Indian Ocean thus helping India to establish close contact with West Asia, Africa and Europe from the western coast and with South East and East Asia and Australia from the eastern coast.

5. Give a brief account of India’s contact with the outside world since ancient times.

a) India’s contact with the world has continued through the ages, but its relationships through the land routes are much older than the maritime contacts.

b) These routes have contributed in the exchange of ideas and commodities since ancient times.

c) The ideas of Upanishads and Ramayana, the stories of Panchatantra, the Indian numerals and the decimal system thus could reach many parts of the world.

d) The spices, muslin and other merchandise were taken from India to different countries.

e) On the other hand, the influence of Greek sculpture and the architectural styles of Dome and minarets from West Asia can be seen in different parts of our country.

1. India – Size and Location

Notes:

Location

Latitude         8˚4’North – 37˚6’ North

Longitude       68˚7’East – 97˚25’ East

Size

• 2933 Kilometers (North – South)
• 3214 Kilometers (West – East)
• Seventh Largest Country in the world:
• Area 3.28 million Km²
• Total geographical area 2.4% of the world.
• India has land boundary of 15, 200 Km
• Total length of the coastline of the mainland including islands (Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands) is 7516.6 Km

 India Standard Time (IST)

82˚30’ East, 5 ½ or 5:30 hours ahead from Greenwich Prime Meridian

India and the World

• Indian landmass has a central location between the east and west Asia.
• The Trans Indian Ocean routes, that connect Western Europe and East Asian connects India strategically.
• India is well connected by land routes and water ways from Asia, Africa, Europe and Australia.
• These routes have contributed in the exchange of ideas and commodities since ages.
• The ideas of Upanishads, Ramayana, Mahabharat, the stories of Panchtantra, the Indian numerals and the decimal system have reached the parts of world.
• On the other hand influence of Greek sculpture and the architectural styles of dome and minarets have become the part of India.

India’s Neighbours

• Today India has 28 States and 8 Union Territories.

The Neighboring countries of India are Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Maldives

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