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Tag: Chapter 1: India – Size and Location

  • Chapter 1: India – Size and Location, Class 9th, Geography, NCERT

    NCERT Questions & Answers

    Q1. The Tropic of Cancer does not pass through:
    (a) Rajasthan (b) Odisha (c) Chhattisgarh (d) Tripura
    Answer: (b) Odisha

    Q2. The easternmost longitude of India is:
    (a) 97°25′E (b) 68°7′E (c) 77°6′E (d) 82°32′E
    Answer: (a) 97°25′E

    Q3. Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim have common frontiers with:
    (a) China (b) Bhutan (c) Nepal (d) Myanmar
    Answer: (c) Nepal

    Q4. If you visit Kavaratti, which Union Territory will you go to?
    (a) Puducherry (b) Lakshadweep (c) Andaman and Nicobar (d) Daman and Diu
    Answer: (b) Lakshadweep

    Q5. My friend hails from a country which does not share land boundary with India. Identify the country.
    (a) Bhutan (b) Tajikistan (c) Bangladesh (d) Nepal
    Answer: (b) Tajikistan

    Q6. Name the group of islands lying in the Arabian Sea.
    → Lakshadweep Islands.

    Q7. Name the countries which are larger than India.
    → Russia, Canada, USA, China, Brazil, Australia.

    Q8. Which island group of India lies to its south-east?
    → Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

    Q9. Which island countries are our southern neighbours?
    → Sri Lanka and Maldives.

    Q10. Why does the sun rise two hours earlier in Arunachal Pradesh than Gujarat but watches show the same time?
    → Because of India’s great longitudinal extent (30°). To avoid confusion, 82°30′E (near Mirzapur, UP) is taken as the Standard Meridian, and one uniform IST is followed.

    Q11. Why is India’s central location at the head of the Indian Ocean significant?
    → It gives India a strategic advantage for trade and cultural exchange with West Asia, Africa, and Europe (from west coast) and with Southeast Asia and East Asia (from east coast). India’s location makes it a central hub of ocean routes.

    Long Answer Questions

    Q1. Explain the size and extent of India.
    Answer: India has an area of 3.28 million sq. km, about 2.4% of world’s land area, making it the seventh largest country. The mainland stretches between latitudes 8°4′N and 37°6′N and longitudes 68°7′E and 97°25′E. Its north-south extent is 3,214 km and east-west extent is 2,933 km. India has a land boundary of 15,200 km and coastline of 7,516.6 km. The Tropic of Cancer (23°30′N) divides the country into almost two halves.

    Q2. Describe India’s neighbours and its political boundaries.
    Answer: India shares boundaries with Pakistan and Afghanistan (northwest), China, Nepal, Bhutan (north), and Bangladesh and Myanmar (east). Across the sea, India’s neighbours are Sri Lanka and Maldives. In South Asia, India occupies a central position with 28 states and 8 Union Territories. Its vast boundary connects it politically, economically, and culturally with neighbouring countries.

    Q3. How has India’s central location helped in establishing cultural and trade contacts?
    Answer: India’s location between East and West Asia made it a crossroads of trade and culture. Ancient land routes across mountain passes helped exchange of goods, like spices, muslin, and ideas like numerals and the decimal system. Sea routes via the Indian Ocean linked India with Southeast Asia, Africa, and Europe. India influenced and absorbed cultures such as Greek sculpture and West Asian architectural styles, making it a centre of interaction.

    Q4. Discuss the importance of Standard Meridian of India.
    Answer: India’s vast longitudinal spread (30°) causes time differences of about 2 hours between Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat. To avoid confusion, 82°30′E longitude (through Mirzapur, UP) is chosen as the Standard Meridian. It ensures uniformity of time across India and is called Indian Standard Time (IST). Without it, time differences would disrupt communication, travel, and administration.

    Q5. Explain how India’s geographical features influence its contacts with the world.
    Answer: The Himalayas in the north provide a natural barrier but also mountain passes for ancient contacts. The long coastline facilitated maritime trade. India’s peninsular location makes it project into the Indian Ocean, linking West Asia, Africa, and Europe with Southeast Asia and East Asia. This strategic location allowed India to play a major role in global trade, culture, and history.

    MCQs

    1. India’s total area is:
      (a) 2.4 million sq. km (b) 3.28 million sq. km (c) 4.5 million sq. km (d) 5.2 million sq. km
      Answer: (b)

    2. India is the ___ largest country in the world.
      (a) 5th (b) 6th (c) 7th (d) 8th
      Answer: (c)

    3. India accounts for about ___ of world’s land area.
      (a) 1.8% (b) 2.4% (c) 3.2% (d) 4%
      Answer: (b)

    4. India’s latitudinal extent is:
      (a) 8°4′N to 37°6′N (b) 6°4′N to 36°6′N (c) 10°N to 38°N (d) 9°N to 37°N
      Answer: (a)

    5. India’s longitudinal extent is:
      (a) 68°7′E to 97°25′E (b) 65°E to 95°E (c) 70°E to 98°E (d) 60°E to 95°E
      Answer: (a)

    6. India’s north-south extent is about:
      (a) 2,933 km (b) 3,214 km (c) 2,500 km (d) 3,500 km
      Answer: (b)

    7. India’s east-west extent is about:
      (a) 2,500 km (b) 3,000 km (c) 2,933 km (d) 3,214 km
      Answer: (c)

    8. India’s land boundary length:
      (a) 12,000 km (b) 13,500 km (c) 15,200 km (d) 16,000 km
      Answer: (c)

    9. India’s coastline length:
      (a) 5,216 km (b) 6,500 km (c) 7,516.6 km (d) 8,200 km
      Answer: (c)

    10. Southernmost point of India is:
      (a) Kanyakumari (b) Indira Point (c) Minicoy (d) Palk Strait
      Answer: (b)

    11. Indira Point submerged during:
      (a) Cyclone 1999 (b) Tsunami 2004 (c) Flood 2013 (d) Earthquake 2015
      Answer: (b)

    12. India’s Standard Meridian is:
      (a) 82°30′E (b) 68°7′E (c) 97°25′E (d) 77°6′E
      Answer: (a)

    13. Which city does Standard Meridian pass through?
      (a) Delhi (b) Allahabad (c) Mirzapur (d) Lucknow
      Answer: (c)

    14. Which sea lies west of India?
      (a) Bay of Bengal (b) Arabian Sea (c) Red Sea (d) Caspian Sea
      Answer: (b)

    15. Which sea lies east of India?
      (a) Mediterranean (b) Caspian (c) Bay of Bengal (d) Red Sea
      Answer: (c)

    16. Sri Lanka is separated from India by:
      (a) Gulf of Khambhat (b) Palk Strait (c) Gulf of Mannar (d) Both b & c
      Answer: (d)

    17. Maldives lie to the:
      (a) South of Lakshadweep (b) East of Andamans (c) North of Kanyakumari (d) West of Sri Lanka
      Answer: (a)

    18. India’s central location helped spread:
      (a) Greek numerals (b) Indian numerals & decimal system (c) Roman architecture (d) Chinese language
      Answer: (b)

    19. The Suez Canal reduced India–Europe distance by:
      (a) 5,000 km (b) 6,000 km (c) 7,000 km (d) 8,000 km
      Answer: (c)

    20. How many states and Union Territories does India have?
      (a) 28 states, 8 UTs (b) 29 states, 7 UTs (c) 27 states, 9 UTs (d) 30 states, 6 UTs
      Answer: (a)

    Fill in the Blanks

    1. India’s total area is 3.28 million sq. km.

    2. India is the 7th largest country in the world.

    3. The Tropic of Cancer (23°30′N) divides India into two halves.

    4. The southernmost point of India is Indira Point.

    5. Indira Point submerged in 2004 Tsunami.

    6. India’s north-south extent is 3,214 km.

    7. India’s east-west extent is 2,933 km.

    8. The Standard Meridian of India is 82°30′E.

    9. Sri Lanka is separated from India by the Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar.

    10. India shares land boundaries with 7 countries.