UDGAM SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN
Social Science (087): Geography (2020-21) Notes (1)
Chapter-1: India - Size and Location Date: 17/04/2020
Name: _________________ STD/Sec: IX _____ Roll No.____
Q1. Describe the location of India. (page 1 & 2)I.
1. India lies entirely in the northern hemisphere and its mainland is located between 8°4’ N
and 37°6’ N latitudes.
2. It lies in the eastern hemisphere between 68°7'E and 97°25'E longitudes.
3. The Tropic of Cancer (23°30’N) divides the country in almost two equal parts.
4. 82°30’ E longitude passing through Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh is taken as the standard
meridian for the whole country.
5. India lies in South Asia and at the apex of Indian ocean.
Q2. Write about the size and extent of India. (page 1 & 2)
1. The land mass of India has an area of 3.28 million square km.
2. Its total area accounts for about 2.4 percent of the total geographical area of the world.
3. It is the seventh largest country of the world.
4. It has a land boundary of about 15,200 km and total length of the coastline is 7516.6 km.
5. The latitudinal and longitudinal extent of its mainland is about 30°.
Q3. Why has 82°30' E been selected as the standard meridian of India? (page 2 – Find out)
1. India is situated between 68°7'E and 97°25'E longitudes (almost 30°). We know the sunrays
take 4 minutes to cross one longitude. (24 hours ÷ 360 longitudes) Hence, there is two
hours’ time difference between the western most part of Gujarat and the eastern most part
of Arunachal Pradesh.
2. In order to avoid the problem of time adjustment, we have chosen 82°30' E as the standard
meridian. It passes through the middle of the country and its local time is taken as the
standard throughout the country.
3. It follows the international standard of divisibility by 7°30'. 82°30' E longitude passing
through Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh is well divided by 7°30', a standard adopted by almost all
the countries of the world while selecting a standard meridian for their respective countries.
Q4. 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? (page 2)
1. The sun rises in the east hence, the time is ahead by 4 minutes for every meridian
(longitude), while going from the west to the east.
2. The eastern most longitude of India is 97°25' E while the western most point is at 68°7' E
(almost 30° longitudes away from each other). Thus, the time difference is of 2 hours (4 x
30 = 120 minutes).
3. India has adopted a common time zone based on the local time of 82°30' E meridian as the
standard time throughout the country. All the watches in the country run according to this
time and this time is called the Indian Standard Time [IST].
Hence, the watches show same time in Gujarat and Arunachal Pradesh.
Q5. The central location of India at the head of Indian Ocean is considered to be of great
significance. Why? (Textbook Exercise) OR
‘India has an important position on the Globe’. Justify the statement.
1. India is situated in the Eastern hemisphere. It stands on the Northern edge of the Indian
Ocean. Japan in the north-east, Europe in the north-west, Australia in the south-east and
Africa in the south-west are at equal distance from India. This strategic location helps in
commercial relations.
Page 1 of 2
Class IX_SS Notes (1) Geography Ch-1 (2020-21)
rachna.kajani@udgamschool.com / asha.sharma@udgamschool.com / sushma.mahapatra@udgamschool.com
2. No other country has a long coastline as India has. Thus, India has an important position
with respect to International trade sea routes.
3. The Suez Canal sea route provides the shortest route to industrialized countries of Europe
and America.
4. The oil rich countries of the Middle East are joined by the Persian Gulf route.
5. India is connected to the East and South Asian countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, China
and Japan through the Malacca Strait.
Q6. What is a subcontinent? Why is India called a subcontinent? Name the countries
which form a part of Indian subcontinent? (Extra)
1. A subcontinent is a relatively large self – contained landmass forming a subdivision of a
continent.
2. India is often called a subcontinent because it is a big landmass, which stands out as a
distinct geographical unit from the rest of the continent.
3. It is separated from the rest of the continent of Asia by the mighty Himalayas in the North
and by the Indian Ocean in the South.
4. It has its own separate climatic characteristics and distinct cultural identity.
5. The countries that comprise the Indian subcontinent are Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan,
Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives and India.
Q7. Why is the time difference between the durations of day and night hardly felt at
Kanyakumari but not so in Kashmir? (page 2 – Find out)
1. Kanyakumari is situated near the equator at 8°4' N. It receives direct rays of the sun
throughout the year. So, days and nights are almost equal here. There is only a difference
of 45 minutes in the duration of day and night.
2. But as we advance towards the north or south of equator, the sun rays become slanting
making the difference between the length of day and night more and more.
3. In Kashmir (37°6' N), the difference in duration of day and night is as much as 5 hours as it
is away from the equator.
Q8. Discuss the significance of latitudinal extent of India. (Extra)
1. The latitudinal extent of India is 8°4' N to 37°6' N which influences the duration of day and
night.
2. The Tropic of Cancer divides India into two separate climatic zones i.e., tropical zone and
sub-tropical zone.
3. India enjoys the advantage of moderate climate in the south and extreme climate in the
north.
Q9. Discuss the significance of longitudinal extent of India. (Extra)
1. The longitudinal extent of India is 68°7’ E to 97°25’ E which influences the fall of day and
night.
2. 82°30’ E Longitude which passes through Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh decides the Indian
Standard time as it passes through the centre.
3. Though there is a difference in local times of sun set and sun rise in Arunachal Pradesh in
the east and Gujarat in the west, all the watches in the country are set as per the IST (+ 5
hours 30 minutes).
Q10. “Land routes and sea routes have contributed in the exchange of ideas and
commodities since ancient times.” Explain. (page 4)
1. The ideas of Upanishads and the Ramayana, the stories of Panchatantra, the Indian
numerals and the decimal system could reach many parts of the world because of the land
and sea routes passing through India.
2. Since ancient times, the spices, muslin and other merchandise have been taken from India
to different countries through these routes.
3. The influence of Greek sculpture and the architectural styles of dome and minarets from
West Asia can be seen in different parts of the country due to this.
Page 2 of 2
Class IX_SS Notes (1) Geography Ch-1 (2020-21)
rachna.kajani@udgamschool.com / asha.sharma@udgamschool.com / sushma.mahapatra@udgamschool.com
