India – Size and Location

Q11. In which year the southernmost point of the Indian union 'Indira Point' submerged under the Sea water?

Ans. The southernmost point of the Indian Union– ‘Indira Point’ got submerged under the sea water in 2004 during the Tsunami.

Q12. How has the opening of Suez Canal helped in reducing India distance from Europe?
Or
When did the Suez Canal start functioning and how did it benefit India?

Ans. Since the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, India’s distance from Europe has been reduced by 7,000 km.

Q13. Name the group of islands lying in the Arabian Sea & Bay of Bengal.

Ans. To the southeast and southwest of the mainland, lie the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Lakshadweep islands in Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea respectively.

 
Q14. What is the size of India?

Ans. The land mass of India has an area of 3.28 million square km. India’s total area accounts for about 2.4 per cent of the total geographical area of the world.

Q15. Why is the Indian Ocean named after our country?

Ans. No other country has a long coastline on the Indian Ocean as India has and indeed, it is India’s eminent position in the Indian Ocean which justifies the naming of an Ocean after it.

Q16. Which longitude is treated as the standard meridian for India?

Ans. In India, the longitude of 82­.50° E (82° 30'E) is treated as the standard meridian. The local time at this meridian is taken as the standard time for the whole country. It is known as the Indian Standard Time (IST).

Q17. Which neighbouring island country lies to the South-east of India? Name the water bodies that separate the island country from India.

Ans. Sri Lanka lies to the South-east of India. It is separated from India by a narrow channel of sea formed by the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar while Maldives Islands are situated to the south of the Lakshadweep Islands.

Q18. What is the time lag between Gujarat and Arunachal Pradesh? How is a uniform time set at all places?

Ans. From Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh there is a time lag of two hours. Hence, time along the Standard Meridian of India (82°30'E) passing through Mirzapur (in Uttar Pradesh) is taken as the standard time for the whole country.

Q19. What is the number of union territories along the western and eastern coasts of India?

Ans. Union Territories along the western coast includes Daman and Diu, Mahe (Pondicherry), Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Lakshadweep.

Union Territories along the eastern coast include Pondicherry and Andaman and Nicobar islands.

Q20. Before 1947, there were two types of states in India. Name them.

Ans. Before 1947, there were two types of states in India – the provinces and the Princely states. Provinces were ruled directly by British officials who were appointed by the Viceroy. Princely states were ruled by local, hereditary rulers, who acknowledged sovereignity in return for local autonomy.

Q21. What is the longitudinal extent of India? Mention the degree of longitude for Standard Meridian. State the importance of Standard Meridian.

Ans. Longitudinal extent of India is 68°7'E and 97°25'E. The degree of longitude for Standard Meridian is 82°30'E. From Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh there is a time lag of two hours. Hence, time along the Standard Meridian of India (82°30'E) passing through Mirzapur (in Uttar Pradesh) is taken as the standard time for the whole country.

 
Q22. What is the location of India?

Ans. India is a vast country. Lying entirely in the Northern hemisphere the main land extends between latitudes 8°4'N and 37°6'N and longitudes 68°7'E and 97°25'E. The Tropic of Cancer (23° 30'N) divides the country into almost two equal parts. To the southeast and southwest of the mainland, lie the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Lakshadweep islands in Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea respectively.