India: Location, Extent and Physical Features

India: Location and Extent

India lies entirely in the Northern Hemisphere. It stretches from about 8°4' N to 37°6' N latitude and 68°7' E to 97°25' E longitude. It is the 7th largest country by area (about 3.28 million sq km).

Key facts to remember

• Tropic of Cancer (23.5° N) passes through 8 states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura and Mizoram.
• Standard Meridian: 82°30' E, passing near Mirzapur (Uttar Pradesh). IST is 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of GMT.
• Southernmost point: Indira Point (Great Nicobar); mainland tip is Kanyakumari.
• Highest peak in India: Kangchenjunga (8,586 m).
• Longest river: Ganga (about 2,525 km).

Major physical divisions

1. The Himalayan Mountains (Himadri, Himachal, Shiwaliks)
2. The Northern Plains (Indus–Ganga–Brahmaputra)
3. The Peninsular Plateau (oldest landmass, part of Gondwana)
4. The Indian Desert (Thar)
5. The Coastal Plains (Western and Eastern)
6. The Islands (Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep)

Quick example

Q. Through how many Indian states does the Tropic of Cancer pass?

A. 8 states — from Gujarat in the west to Mizoram in the east.

Analogy

Analogy: India as a big house

Picture India as a large house.

• The Himalayas are the tall boundary wall and roof in the north, protecting the house from cold winds.
• The Northern Plains are the fertile kitchen garden, watered by the Ganga, Indus and Brahmaputra.
• The Peninsular Plateau is the old, strong foundation stone on which the house was built.
• The Thar Desert is the dry backyard in the west.
• The Coastal Plains are the verandahs facing the sea on two sides, and the islands are small outhouses in the garden pond.
• The Tropic of Cancer is like a clothesline running across the middle of the house, through 8 rooms (states).

Remember the rooms of the house and you remember India's physical divisions.