India – Size and Location

Q23. Why 82°30'E has been selected as the Standard Meridian of India?

Ans. The latitudinal and longitudinal extent of the mainland is about 30°. Despite this fact the east-west extent appears to be smaller than the north-south extent. 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.

Q24. Which countries together make the Indian subcontinent? Name all the neighboring countries of India.

Ans. India occupies an important strategic position in South Asia. India has 28 states and 7 Union Territories. India shares its land boundaries with Pakistan and Afghanistan in the northwest, China (Tibet), Nepal and Bhutan in the north and Myanmar and Bangladesh in the east. Our southern neighbours across the sea consist of the two island countries, namely Sri Lanka and Maldives.

Q25. 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?

Ans. The latitudinal and longitudinal extent of the mainland is about 30°. Despite this fact the east-west extent appears to be smaller than the north-south extent. 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. The latitudinal extent influences the duration of the day and night, as one move from south to north.

Q26. “Our country has cultural linkage with entire Asian countries through ages.” Explain the statement.

Ans. The Indian landmass has a central location between the East and the West Asia. India is a southward extension of the Asian Continent. The trans Indian Ocean routes which connect the countries of Europe in the West and the countries of East Asia provide a strategic central location to India. Note that the Deccan Peninsula protrudes into the Indian Ocean, thus helping India to establish close contact with West Asia, Africa and Europe from the western coast and with Southeast and East Asia from the eastern coast.

Q27. Why is the difference between the durations of day and night hardly felt at Kannyakumari but not so in Kashmir?

Ans. The difference between the durations of day and night at Kannyakumari and Kashmir are respectively due to their latitudinal locations. Kanyakumari is close to the Equator, whereas Kashmir is far from the Equator. Kanyakumari is at 8°N latitude, it is just 8° from the Equator. As Equator receives direct sunlight, the difference between day and night hardly be felt at Kannyakumari. On the other hand Kashmir is at 37°N latitude, it is 37° from the Equator and receives slanting sunlight. So there would be difference in the duration of day and night in Kashmir.

Q28. Classify the states into four groups each having common frontiers with
(i) Pakistan, (ii) China, (iii) Myanmar, and (iv) Bangladesh.

Ans. (i) States having common frontiers with Pakistan are Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat.

(ii) States having common frontiers with China are Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

(iii) States having common frontiers with Myanmar are Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram.

(iv) States having common frontiers with Bangladesh are West Bengal, Meghalaya, Assam and Tripura.

Q29. The central location of India at the head of the Indian Ocean is considered of great significance. Why?
Or
Explain the significance of the location of India at the head of the Indian Ocean.
Or
Explain the significance of India’s eminent position in the Indian Ocean.

Ans. India is a southward extension of the Asian Continent. The trans Indian Ocean routes which connect the countries of Europe in the West and the countries of East Asia provide a strategic central location to India. Note that the Deccan Peninsula protrudes into the Indian Ocean, thus helping India to establish close contact with West Asia, Africa and Europe from the western coast and with Southeast and East Asia from the eastern coast. 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.