India – Size and Location

In-text Questions

1. Why 82°30’E has been selected as the Standard Meridian of India?
India is a large country, with a time lag of two hours from the easternmost point to the westernmost point. To avoid confusion, 82°30’E longitude, which passes through Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh, is chosen as the Standard Meridian of India because it lies approximately in the middle of the country.

2. Why is the difference between the durations of day and night hardly felt at Kanniyakumari but not so in Kashmir?
Kanniyakumari is located near the equator, where the difference in the duration of day and night is minimal throughout the year. However, in Kashmir, which is farther from the equator, the difference is greater due to the tilt of the Earth’s axis.

Exercise 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 (Correct Answer)
(c) Chhattisgarh
(d) Tripura

(ii) The easternmost longitude of India is
(a) 97° 25’ E (Correct Answer)
(b) 68° 7’ E
(c) 77° 6’ E
(d) 82° 32’ E

(iii) Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Sikkim have common frontiers with
(a) China
(b) Bhutan
(c) Nepal (Correct Answer)
(d) Myanmar

(iv) If you intend to visit Kavaratti during your summer vacations, which one of the following Union Territories of India will you be going to?
(a) Puducherry
(b) Lakshadweep (Correct Answer)
(c) Andaman and Nicobar
(d) Daman and Diu

(v) My friend hails from a country which does not share a land boundary with India. Identify the country.
(a) Bhutan
(b) Tajikistan (Correct Answer)
(c) Bangladesh
(d) Nepal

2. Answer the following questions briefly:

(i) Name the group of islands lying in the Arabian Sea.
The Lakshadweep Islands lie in the Arabian Sea.

(ii) Name the countries which are larger than India.
The countries larger than India are Russia, Canada, USA, China, Brazil, and Australia.

(iii) Which island group of India lies to its southeast?
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands lie to the southeast of India.

(iv) Which island countries are our southern neighbours?
Our southern neighbours are Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

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?
India follows a single time zone based on the Standard Meridian of India, which is 82°30’E. Therefore, even though the sun rises earlier in Arunachal Pradesh, the entire country follows the same standard time.

4. The central location of India at the head of the Indian Ocean is considered of great significance. Why?
India’s central location at the head of the Indian Ocean is significant because it helps in establishing trade routes between the East and the West. This has facilitated the exchange of ideas, culture, and goods over centuries, making India a hub for international trade.

Extra MCQ :

• Which latitude divides India into two almost equal parts?
  a) Equator
  b) Tropic of Capricorn
  c) Tropic of Cancer
  d) Arctic Circle

  Answer: c) Tropic of Cancer
  Explanation: The excerpt states that the Tropic of Cancer (23°30’N) runs almost midway across India, dividing it into two parts.

• Which of the following islands lie to the southeast of the Indian mainland?
  a) Maldives
  b) Andaman and Nicobar
  c) Lakshadweep
  d) Seychelles

  Answer: b) Andaman and Nicobar
  Explanation: As mentioned in the text, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are located in the Bay of Bengal, to the southeast of the Indian mainland.

• Which body of water lies to the west of India?
  a) Bay of Bengal
  b) Arabian Sea
  c) Pacific Ocean
  d) Gulf of Mannar

  Answer: b) Arabian Sea
  Explanation: The Arabian Sea is on the western side of India, while the Bay of Bengal lies to the east.

• What is the total area of India?
  a) 2.4 million km²
  b) 3.28 million km²
  c) 7.516 million km²
  d) 4.10 million km²

  Answer: b) 3.28 million km²
  Explanation: The chapter indicates India’s land area is about 3.28 million square kilometers.

• Which fact about India’s total geographical area is correct?
  a) It accounts for about 2.4% of the world’s total area
  b) It accounts for about 10% of the world’s total area
  c) It accounts for less than 1% of the world’s total area
  d) It accounts for about 20% of the world’s total area

  Answer: a) It accounts for about 2.4% of the world’s total area
  Explanation: According to the text, India’s area is roughly 2.4% of the world’s total land area.

• Which of the following is India’s seventh-largest rank in?
  a) Population
  b) Area
  c) Mineral resources
  d) GDP

  Answer: b) Area
  Explanation: The excerpt shows that India is the seventh largest country in the world by area.

• What is the length of India’s land boundary approximately?
  a) 7,516.6 km
  b) 3,328 km
  c) 15,200 km
  d) 2,400 km

  Answer: c) 15,200 km
  Explanation: The text states that India has a land boundary of about 15,200 km.

• Which is the total length of India’s coastline, including the Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands?
  a) 2,400 km
  b) 7,516.6 km
  c) 15,200 km
  d) 82°30’E

  Answer: b) 7,516.6 km
  Explanation: As per the excerpt, the coastline of India (mainland + islands) measures 7,516.6 km.

• The main land of India extends between which latitudes?
  a) 8°4’N and 37°6’N
  b) 7°16’N and 25°4’N
  c) 28°36’N and 31°6’N
  d) 18°4’N and 27°6’N

  Answer: a) 8°4’N and 37°6’N
  Explanation: The text specifically mentions that India lies between these latitudinal extents.

• Which meridian has been selected as the Standard Meridian of India?
  a) 97°25’E
  b) 68°7’E
  c) 82°30’E
  d) 75°N

  Answer: c) 82°30’E
  Explanation: The excerpt states that 82°30’E, passing through Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh, is the country’s Standard Meridian.

• Why is there a two-hour time difference between Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat?
  a) Different longitudes
  b) Different latitudes
  c) Different altitudes
  d) Different climates

  Answer: a) Different longitudes
  Explanation: Arunachal Pradesh in the far east and Gujarat in the far west are separated by approximately 30° of longitude, creating about a two-hour local time difference.

• Which location was once India’s southernmost point but was submerged in the 2004 Tsunami?
  a) Kanyakumari
  b) Lakshadweep
  c) Indira Point
  d) Nicobar Islands

  Answer: c) Indira Point
  Explanation: Indira Point, located in the Nicobar Islands, submerged during the 2004 Tsunami.

• Which of the following statements is true about the latitudinal and longitudinal extent of India?
  a) India’s east-west extent is exactly the same as its north-south extent
  b) India’s east-west extent appears smaller than its north-south extent
  c) India has more longitudinal extent than latitudinal extent
  d) Both extents are larger than 50°

  Answer: b) India’s east-west extent appears smaller than its north-south extent
  Explanation: Although both spans are roughly 30°, the east-west stretch visually appears smaller on most maps than the north-south stretch.

• Which of these is a maritime neighbor of India to the south?
  a) Nepal
  b) Afghanistan
  c) Bhutan
  d) Maldives

  Answer: d) Maldives
  Explanation: The Maldives is located to the south of the Lakshadweep Islands in the Indian Ocean.

• Which country shares India’s northwestern boundary along with Pakistan?
  a) Sri Lanka
  b) Afghanistan
  c) Bangladesh
  d) China

  Answer: b) Afghanistan
  Explanation: India shares its northwestern boundaries with Pakistan and Afghanistan, as noted in the text.

• India shares land boundaries with which of the following sets of countries?
  a) China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar
  b) South Africa, China, Bhutan, Maldives, Brazil
  c) Sri Lanka, Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand
  d) Japan, China, Vietnam, Pakistan, Russia

  Answer: a) China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar
  Explanation: These countries border India according to the chapter (with Pakistan and Afghanistan in the northwest, and Sri Lanka and Maldives off the southern coast).

• Which one of the following statements best describes India’s position in Asia?
  a) It is a northern extension of the Asian continent
  b) It is a southward extension of the Asian continent
  c) It is in the exact center of Asia
  d) It lies entirely below the Equator

  Answer: b) It is a southward extension of the Asian continent
  Explanation: The text mentions that India is a southward extension of the Asian landmass.

• How did the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 affect India’s distance from Europe?
  a) Increased it by 7,000 km
  b) Reduced it by 7,000 km
  c) Had no effect
  d) Reduced it by half a degree of latitude

  Answer: b) Reduced it by 7,000 km
  Explanation: The passage explicitly mentions that India’s distance from Europe was reduced by about 7,000 km with the opening of the Suez Canal.

• Which factor has contributed to India’s older land-route contacts compared to maritime contacts?
  a) Mountain passes in the north
  b) Desert passages in the west
  c) Dense forests in the east
  d) Frequent shipping routes historically

  Answer: a) Mountain passes in the north
  Explanation: The excerpt notes that passes in the northern mountains facilitated earlier overland routes, whereas maritime routes took longer to develop.

• Which cultural or knowledge systems spread from India to other parts of the world via these early routes?
  a) Geographical surveys and cartography
  b) Western philosophy
  c) Upanishads, Ramayana, Panchatantra, and decimal numerals
  d) Greek and Roman numerals

  Answer: c) Upanishads, Ramayana, Panchatantra, and decimal numerals
  Explanation: The text states that ancient Indian ideas, stories, and numerals spread to different regions via land routes.

• Which major influences came to India from West Asia and Greece, as mentioned in the text?
  a) Calligraphy and abstract art
  b) Greek sculpture, dome, and minaret architectural styles
  c) East Asian porcelain and tapestry
  d) Ancient Roman roads and aqueducts

  Answer: b) Greek sculpture, dome, and minaret architectural styles
  Explanation: The excerpt references the influence of Greek sculpture and architectural styles such as domes and minarets from West Asia.

• Why does the duration of day and night hardly differ in Kanyakumari compared to Kashmir?
  a) Kanyakumari is farther north
  b) Kashmir has a lower latitude
  c) The latitudinal difference significantly affects daylight hours
  d) Kanyakumari is near the Equator

  Answer: d) Kanyakumari is near the Equator
  Explanation: Being closer to the Equator means less variation in daylight hours throughout the year, hence day-night difference is less noticeable compared to higher latitudes like Kashmir.

• How many states are there in India according to the excerpt?
  a) 28
  b) 25
  c) 29
  d) 8

  Answer: a) 28
  Explanation: The text states that India has 28 states and 8 Union Territories.

• Which Union Territory is located in the Bay of Bengal?
  a) Daman and Diu
  b) Puducherry
  c) Lakshadweep
  d) Andaman and Nicobar Islands

  Answer: d) Andaman and Nicobar Islands
  Explanation: This group of islands is a Union Territory situated in the Bay of Bengal.

• Which sea separates Sri Lanka from India?
  a) Palk Bay only
  b) Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar
  c) Arabian Sea
  d) Gulf of Kutch

  Answer: b) Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar
  Explanation: The text indicates that the narrow channel formed by the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar lies between India and Sri Lanka.

• Which term best describes India’s location with respect to trans-Indian Ocean routes?
  a) Peripheral
  b) Isolated
  c) Strategic central location
  d) Undeveloped maritime routes

  Answer: c) Strategic central location
  Explanation: The excerpt points out that India occupies a central position between East Asia and Europe, making it strategically located on important sea routes.

• Which of the following is an island group in the Arabian Sea?
  a) Andaman Islands
  b) Nicobar Islands
  c) Lakshadweep Islands
  d) Maldives

  Answer: c) Lakshadweep Islands
  Explanation: The Lakshadweep Islands lie in the Arabian Sea off India’s southwestern coast.

• Which ancient trade route, mentioned in the excerpt’s activities, significantly impacted cultural exchange?
  a) The Silk Route
  b) The Spice Route
  c) The Incense Route
  d) The Amber Road

  Answer: a) The Silk Route
  Explanation: The project section of the chapter suggests collecting information about the Silk Route, known for its significance in trade and cultural exchange.

• Which factor mainly influences the difference in day and night as one moves from south to north in India?
  a) Variations in altitude
  b) Changes in temperature
  c) Latitudinal extent
  d) Presence of deserts

  Answer: c) Latitudinal extent
  Explanation: The text indicates that the latitudinal range (from 8°4’N to 37°6’N) causes variations in daylight duration between southern and northern parts of India.

• In pre-independent India, how were the territories broadly classified?
  a) Crown colonies and dominions
  b) Kingdoms and viceroyalties
  c) Provinces under British rule and Princely States with local rulers
  d) Fully sovereign states under British supervision

  Answer: c) Provinces under British rule and Princely States with local rulers
  Explanation: The text notes that before 1947, some territories were directly governed by British officials, while others were ruled by hereditary local rulers who acknowledged British sovereignty.