India is one of the few ancient civilisations. Today, it is the largest democracy in the world. Its journey through corridors of time has been long and eventful. Despite many ups and downs, it has moved forward displaying remarkable vitality and continuity. Its geography has also contributed significantly in the making of its history.
Location and Size
India occupies the south-central peninsula of Asia . It consists of the mainland and two groups of islands namely Lakshadweep in the arabian sea, and the andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal.
The mainland of India extends between 8degree 4'N and 37 degree 6' N latitudes, and 68degree 7'E and 97degree 25' E longitudes. Find out the names of states in all the four major directions where these extreme points are located. Kanyakumari, the southern most tip on the mainland is situated on three seas. To the south-east and the south-west of the mainland, lie the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Lakshadweep respectively. Like a long tall they spread over a large area. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are located far away from the Indian Union is Indira point. It is located on this island group not very far from Indonesian islands. Lakshadweep islands are comparatively less scattered and are also nearer to the Indian coast. Indian has a very long coastline, approximating in length the radius of the earth.
If we saw the Indian map we notice that the southern tip of the Indian mainland misses the equator by only a few degrees. Thus being situated totally north of the equator, it belongs to the northern hemisphere. If we divide the globe vertically into eastern and western hemispheres.
With an area of about 3.28 million square km, India is the seventh largest country in the world. Still it may not be considered too large because it has only 2.42 % of the world's total land area. Six other countries, larger than India in area are : (i) Russia (ii) Canada, (iii) China, (iv) United States of America, (v) Brazil, and (vi ) Australia. Each one of them is two to five times larger than our country.
It is interesting to note the latitudinal and longitudinal extent of the country is almost the same in degrees i.e. about 30 degrees. But, in kilometers, the north-south distance (about 3200km) is more than that of the east-west distance (app. 3000km ) . Due to vast longitudinal extent, the time difference between the two extreme points in the east and the west is of two hours. In other words, when the sun rises in Arunchal Pradesh, it is still night in Gujarat. As such, time along the Standard Meridian of India (82degree 30' E ) passing through Allahabad is taken as the standard time for the whole country.
The Tropic of Cancer (23degree 30' N) divides the country into almost two equal parts. The northern part is a broad region spreading east-west. It consists of the plains and the Himalayan mountains. The areas to the south of the Tropic of Cancer, is triangular in shape. Having a base in the north, the land tapers towards the south. It mostly coincides with the peninsular plateau, but also includes the eastern and the western coastal strips.
India and the World
The Indian landmass is a southward extension of the continent of Asia. On its north, a chain of lofty mountains run east-west uninterruptedly for thousands of kilometres. They are such formidable barriers that land communication with Tibet and China is possible only through a few passes, which are located on high altitudes. On the south, the Indian peninsula is surrounded by the seas and the ocean from three sides. Yet, people have been coming and going through land and sea routes. However, the partially enclosed character of the land, on the whole, has strengthened its uniqueness by assimilating new cultural elements coming from outside and yet fostering unity and homogeneity in the Indian society remarkably well.
As you know, India belongs to the eastern Hemispehre, which contains the Oriental World. In ancient times, the sea played an important role in determining the nature of interacton. The central location of India at the head of the Indian Ocean was of great advantage. Countries of East africa, West Asia, South and South- East Asia, and east Asia could be reached through sea routes. Hence India established close cultural and commercial contacts with these countries. India's eminent position in the Indian Ocean realm justifies naming an ocean after it.
Since the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, distance between India and Europe has been reduced by 7000 km. India enjoys a favourable situation on the international highway of trade and commerce even today. Unlike land-locked countries (surrounded by land on all sides ) it has an easy access to outside world. The ocean routes from East and south-East Asia, and Australia to Africa, and Europe pass through the Indian Ocean. India is connected with Europe, North America and south america through both the routes-the Cape of Good Hope and the Suez Canal. India can also reach Canada and the U.S.A. through the Strait of Malacca after crossing the Pacific Ocean.
India's contacts with the world have continued through the ages . The exchange of ideas and commodities dates back to the ancient times. The ideas of the Upnishads and the Ramayana, the stories of Panchatantra, the Indian numerals and the decimal system thus could reach many parts of the world. The spices, muslin and other merchandise were taken from India to different countries. 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.
India's Neighbours
India shares its land boundaries with Afghanistan and Pakistan in the north-west, China, Nepal and Bhutan in the north and Myanmar and Bangladesh in the east. The island states of Sri Lanka and Maldives are our southern neighbours across the sea. Look at the relief map of Asia. You will notice that Pakistan,Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and India form the most natural geographical unit, often referred to as the Indian sub-continent. It has a distinct physical and cultural identity, which separates it from the rest of Asia
Location and Size
India occupies the south-central peninsula of Asia . It consists of the mainland and two groups of islands namely Lakshadweep in the arabian sea, and the andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal.
The mainland of India extends between 8degree 4'N and 37 degree 6' N latitudes, and 68degree 7'E and 97degree 25' E longitudes. Find out the names of states in all the four major directions where these extreme points are located. Kanyakumari, the southern most tip on the mainland is situated on three seas. To the south-east and the south-west of the mainland, lie the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Lakshadweep respectively. Like a long tall they spread over a large area. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are located far away from the Indian Union is Indira point. It is located on this island group not very far from Indonesian islands. Lakshadweep islands are comparatively less scattered and are also nearer to the Indian coast. Indian has a very long coastline, approximating in length the radius of the earth.
If we saw the Indian map we notice that the southern tip of the Indian mainland misses the equator by only a few degrees. Thus being situated totally north of the equator, it belongs to the northern hemisphere. If we divide the globe vertically into eastern and western hemispheres.
With an area of about 3.28 million square km, India is the seventh largest country in the world. Still it may not be considered too large because it has only 2.42 % of the world's total land area. Six other countries, larger than India in area are : (i) Russia (ii) Canada, (iii) China, (iv) United States of America, (v) Brazil, and (vi ) Australia. Each one of them is two to five times larger than our country.
It is interesting to note the latitudinal and longitudinal extent of the country is almost the same in degrees i.e. about 30 degrees. But, in kilometers, the north-south distance (about 3200km) is more than that of the east-west distance (app. 3000km ) . Due to vast longitudinal extent, the time difference between the two extreme points in the east and the west is of two hours. In other words, when the sun rises in Arunchal Pradesh, it is still night in Gujarat. As such, time along the Standard Meridian of India (82degree 30' E ) passing through Allahabad is taken as the standard time for the whole country.
The Tropic of Cancer (23degree 30' N) divides the country into almost two equal parts. The northern part is a broad region spreading east-west. It consists of the plains and the Himalayan mountains. The areas to the south of the Tropic of Cancer, is triangular in shape. Having a base in the north, the land tapers towards the south. It mostly coincides with the peninsular plateau, but also includes the eastern and the western coastal strips.
India and the World
The Indian landmass is a southward extension of the continent of Asia. On its north, a chain of lofty mountains run east-west uninterruptedly for thousands of kilometres. They are such formidable barriers that land communication with Tibet and China is possible only through a few passes, which are located on high altitudes. On the south, the Indian peninsula is surrounded by the seas and the ocean from three sides. Yet, people have been coming and going through land and sea routes. However, the partially enclosed character of the land, on the whole, has strengthened its uniqueness by assimilating new cultural elements coming from outside and yet fostering unity and homogeneity in the Indian society remarkably well.
As you know, India belongs to the eastern Hemispehre, which contains the Oriental World. In ancient times, the sea played an important role in determining the nature of interacton. The central location of India at the head of the Indian Ocean was of great advantage. Countries of East africa, West Asia, South and South- East Asia, and east Asia could be reached through sea routes. Hence India established close cultural and commercial contacts with these countries. India's eminent position in the Indian Ocean realm justifies naming an ocean after it.
Since the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, distance between India and Europe has been reduced by 7000 km. India enjoys a favourable situation on the international highway of trade and commerce even today. Unlike land-locked countries (surrounded by land on all sides ) it has an easy access to outside world. The ocean routes from East and south-East Asia, and Australia to Africa, and Europe pass through the Indian Ocean. India is connected with Europe, North America and south america through both the routes-the Cape of Good Hope and the Suez Canal. India can also reach Canada and the U.S.A. through the Strait of Malacca after crossing the Pacific Ocean.
India's contacts with the world have continued through the ages . The exchange of ideas and commodities dates back to the ancient times. The ideas of the Upnishads and the Ramayana, the stories of Panchatantra, the Indian numerals and the decimal system thus could reach many parts of the world. The spices, muslin and other merchandise were taken from India to different countries. 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.
India's Neighbours
India shares its land boundaries with Afghanistan and Pakistan in the north-west, China, Nepal and Bhutan in the north and Myanmar and Bangladesh in the east. The island states of Sri Lanka and Maldives are our southern neighbours across the sea. Look at the relief map of Asia. You will notice that Pakistan,Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and India form the most natural geographical unit, often referred to as the Indian sub-continent. It has a distinct physical and cultural identity, which separates it from the rest of Asia
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