India Size and Location Class 9 Notes: CBSE Geography Chapter 1 (Contemporary India)

India is one of the world's oldest civilizations. It has progressed politically, geographically, socially, and economically over the last few decades. India has also played a significant role in shaping world history.

Location of India

• It is a vast country located in the northern hemisphere, with latitudes ranging from 8°4'N to 37°6'N and longitudes ranging from 68°7'E to 97°25'E.

• The Tropic of Cancer, 23° 30'N roughly divides the country into two halves.

• The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are in the Bay of Bengal to the southeast of the mainland, and the Lakshadweep Islands are in the Arabian Sea to the southwest.

Size of India

• India's landmass covers 3.28 million sq. km, accounting for approximately 2.4% of the world's total geographical area.

• In terms of landmass, India is regarded as the world's seventh-largest country.

• India has an area of ​​about 15,200 square miles [15,200 km], and the length of the entire coastal area, including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, is 7516.6 square miles.

• In the northeast, north, and northwest, India is bounded by Young Fold mountains.

• It begins to move south at 22 ° latitude north and reaches the Indian Ocean, dividing it into two seas, the Arabian Sea to the west and the Bay.

• Time near the Standard Meridian of India, 82 ° 30, passing through Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, is considered the country's standard time.

• As one proceeds from south to north, the length of the day and night is influenced by the latitudinal extent.

India and Her Relationship with the World

• India is situated in the centre of the Asian continent, between the west and East. It is a southerly extension of the Asian continent. It is distinct from the rest of Asia and is referred to as a subcontinent.

• The trans-Indian Ocean routes link Western European countries with East Asian countries. No other country in the Indian Ocean has a coastline as long as India's.

• India is the only country to have an ocean after its name.

• India's land routes predate sea routes for a long time. The various routes that cut through the northern mountains provided transportation for ancient travellers because the sea had previously limited such communication.

• These routes brought the Ramayana and Mahabharata Indian epics, Panchatantra stories, Upanishads, Indian numerals, and the decimal system to the world. Besides, goods such as muslin and spices were exported from the country to other parts of the world.

• The influence of Greek sculpture and architecture can be widely seen in the country. 

India and its Neighbours

India has deep historical ties with its neighbours. It comprises 28 states and 9 union territories in all. In the northwest, it borders Afghanistan and Pakistan, while in the east, it borders Nepal, Bangladesh, and Burma. Sri Lanka and the Maldives are located on India's southern coast.

Some Interesting Facts about India

• Before 1947, India had two types of states: provinces and princely states. The provinces were ruled by British officials appointed as viceroys by the British Council. In exchange for loyalty against the British government, the princely states were ruled by local hereditary rulers.

• Indira Point, the Indian Union's southernmost point, was submerged by waters during the 2004 Tsunami.

• India’s distance from Europe has decreased by 7000 km since the opening of the Suez Canal in 1896.

• India has the world's second-highest population density. 

• Kanchenjunga, India's highest mountain peak, is the world's third-highest mountain peak.

• India is divided into two equal parts by The Tropic of Cancer. The central part of India lies in the Northern hemisphere. 

• There are the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep Islands located in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea respectively In the southeast and southwest of India.

Size of India

• Geography class 9, chapter 1, notes describe the size and boundaries of India. The total size of India is approximately 2.4 percent of the total size of the world. 

• India's total size is approximately 3.28 million square kilometres. The land boundary of India is almost 15200 kilometres in length. But the total length of the coastline including two islands is almost 7516.6 kilometres. 

• Mountains surround the northern part of India. These mountains become thinner in the south, extend to the Indian Ocean, and divide it into two seas.

• One is the Bay of Bengal in the east, and another is the Arabian Sea in the west. The east-west extension of the mainland is smaller than the north-south extension. 

• Gujarat and Arunachal Pradesh have a time difference of two hours. The time at Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh is considered the standard time in the whole country. However, the latitudinal extent of India influences the day and night in the country. More information on this subject can be found in Geography class 9 chapter 1 notes.

India and the World

Geography class 9 notes describe the location of India in the world. India is located in central Asia. India has this fine strategic location due to the trans-Indian Ocean routes. The Deccan Peninsula helps India to connect with West Asia. The largest coastline of India is situated in the Indian Ocean. India is well-connected with the rest of the world through land and water.

However, its land contact is older than water contact. The oceans have restricted travel in the country since ancient times. But, the land passages helped in the travel of ancient travellers. India also has a rich source of spices that are exported to many countries of the world. The architectural styles of West Asia and Greek culture are seen in different parts of India.

India and its Neighbours

The class 9 Geography chapter 1 notes describe India's geographical connection with the rest of the world and its surroundings. India has a strong historical connection with its neighbours. It has a total of 28 states and 9 Union Territories. It shares its border with Afghanistan and Pakistan in the northwest and Bangladesh and Myanmar in the east. Sri Lanka and the Maldives are on the southern side of India.

Practise Questions and Answers:

1. Why is the central location of India advantageous for the country?

Ans: India has a strategic advantage due to its location in the centre of the Indian Ocean, as the Trans Indian Ocean routes connect it to countries in Europe and Asia. India's strategic location in the ocean allows it to create ties with West Asia, Africa, and Europe. Since ancient times, India's wide coastline and natural harbours have aided in trade and commerce with neighbouring and distant countries. It is extremely beneficial for trade with Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia, and Europe. India benefits from the southwest monsoon seasons because of its marine location.

2. The sun rises two hours earlier in Arunachal Pradesh than in Gujarat. Despite this fact, all the watches show at the same time. Why?

Ans: There is a two-hour time difference between Gujarat and Arunachal Pradesh, although the watches show the same time since the time along the Standard Meridian of India i.e., 82° 30' E passing through Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh is used as the country's standard time. Because the same standard time has been established for the entire country, watches in Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat, as well as the rest of the country, display the same time.

3. Which countries neighbour India?

Ans: India is bounded on the north by China, with the largest land area, 96 lakh square kilometres, Nepal, and Bhutan, on the south by Sri Lanka, on the east by Myanmar and Bangladesh, on the west by Pakistan, and the north-west by Afghanistan. The Maldives, India's smallest neighbour which expands over 298 square kilometres is situated to the south-east of the country. India maintains trade and cultural ties with these neighbours.

4. Write a short note on the silk route.

Ans: The Silk Route is a centuries-old commercial route that connects Asia to the Mediterranean Sea. It traverses and connects China, India, Greece, Persia, and Italy. Silk traffic was done through this route throughout the ancient period, and therefore the term silk route. Silk was developed in China and exported to other countries. Furthermore, the root aided the commerce of muslin, spices, and other commodities from India.

5. Why are the Himalayas important for India?

Ans: The Himalayas are a significant physical barrier that separates the Indian subcontinent from the rest of the world. They serve as both a military and a climatic barrier. The Himalayas also keep the cold and chilly winds from the north polar regions from influencing the Indian subcontinent's climate as a result there are no harsh winters. It also prevents moisture-laden winds from the south from blowing into Central Asia, resulting in rainfall across the subcontinent. As the Himalayas are known as the "abode of snow," they are the source of numerous perennial rivers and their tributaries. Throughout the year, these rivers provide water for irrigation and agricultural purposes. They store a massive amount of valuable minerals that are vital to the country. It has diverse biodiversity, with a wide range of fauna and flora.

6. How had the passes through the mountains been useful in ancient times for India?

Ans:

• India has been linked to the rest of the world via mountain routes in the north, north-east, and north-west. 

• Since time immemorial, these routes have been used for transportation. These routes were utilised by ancient travellers to travel to and from India. 

• India provided the world with its number and decimal systems. These routes were used to spread the famous epics of Ramayana and Mahabharat, as well as the Upanishads and the Panchatantra.

• These channels have allowed for the movement of commodities and ideas. The Greek architectural style was adopted by India.

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Importance of Class 9 Geography Chapter 1 India Size and Location Revision Notes

• Understand the total area of India, its latitudinal and longitudinal extent, and how these dimensions define its boundaries.

• Learn about India’s position relative to the Equator and the Prime Meridian, including its neighbouring countries and their impact on India’s climate and trade.

• Explore why India's geographical location is significant, including its influence on climate, agriculture, and cultural exchanges.

• Examine the major physical features of India, such as the Himalayas, the Thar Desert, and the coastal plains, and how these features affect the country’s climate and population distribution.

• Discover how India’s vast size impacts timekeeping and the concept of time zones, including the standard time used across the country and its implications for daily life.

Tips for Learning the Class 9 Geography Chapter 1 India Size and Location

• Focus on fundamental ideas such as India's geographical extent, location on the globe, and its significance. Knowing these basics will help you understand more complex topics later.

• Visual aids like maps and diagrams are important for this chapter. Pay attention to how India is positioned relative to other countries and geographical features. Practice drawing or studying these maps to reinforce your learning.

• Try to connect the geographical information with real-life scenarios. For example, understand how India’s location affects its climate and trade relationships with neighbouring countries.

• Make concise summaries of each section of the chapter. Focus on essential facts such as India’s latitudinal and longitudinal extent, and the major physical features discussed in the chapter.

• Regularly review your notes and practice answering questions related to the chapter. This will help reinforce your knowledge and improve retention for exams.

Conclusion

In this chapter, India: Size and Location, we learned about India's size, where it is on the map, and why this is important. We looked at how big India is, its position among other countries, and the major landforms like the Himalayas and the coastal plains. Understanding these details helps us see why India’s location matters for its climate and interactions with other countries. Vedantu’s notes make these ideas clearer and easier to remember. By using these notes, students will be well-prepared for their exams and have a solid grasp of India’s geography.

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