NCERT Solutions for class 9 SST Geography Chapter 1 India size and location (Updated for 2021 – 22)

Chapter 1 India – Size and Location Extra Questions| Class 9th Geography S.St (Social Science)

1. Discuss the location of India.
Answer
India lies entirely in northern hemisphere between latitudes 8°4’N and 37°6’N and longitudes 68°7’E and 97°25’E. Tropic of Cancer which passes through India divides the country into almost two equal halves.
2. What is longitudinal extent of India? State its implications
Answer
The longitudinal extent of India is between 68°7′ E and 97°25′ E. Its implications are:
→ This is useful in identifying geographical location of India on the map.
→ The time lag is also decided by its longitudinal extent. India has longitudinal extent of 30° so there is time difference of 2 hours in local time between the eastern and western limits as every degree equals to 4 minutes.
3. Name the two islands of Indian mainland.
Answer
The two islands are:
• Andaman and Nicobar islands located in Bay of Bengal in the southeast.
• Lakshadweep islands located in Arabian sea in the southwest.
4. Name the southernmost point of the Indian Union and describe its present situation.
Answer
Indira Point is the southernmost point of the Indian Union located in the Andaman and Nicobar islands which got submerged under the sea water in 2004 during the Tsunami.
5. Describe the size of India.
Answer
Total landmass of India has an area of 3.28 million square km. which accounts for about 2.4 percent of the total geographical area of the world. It is the seventh largest country in the world in terms of landmass. India has a land boundary of about 15,200 km and the total length of the coast line of the mainland including Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep is 7,516.6 km.
6. What is the Standard Meridian of India and where does it pass?
Answer
The Standard Meridian of India is 82°30′ E which passes through Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh.
7. Why 82°30′ E is selected as Standard Meridian of India?
Answer
82°30′ E is selected as Standard Meridian of India because:
→ It almost passes through the center of the country.
→ It is exactly 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of GMT.
→ It is multiple of 7°30′ as a globe has 24 time zones, each of 15 longitudes so local time in each zone at the middle longitude (divided by 7°30′) is taken as Standard Time.
8. What is the importance of Standard Meridian of India?
Answer
There is two hours difference between the easternmost and westernmost part of India. The local time at Arunachal Pradesh would be at least 2 hours ahead of Gujarat. Therefore, to maintain a uniform time throughout the country Standard meridian is important. This helps in avoiding confusion among people regarding the timing of trains, flights and telecast of various programs.
9. How does India occupy an important strategic position in South Asia?
Answer
India occupies an important strategic position in South Asia due to following reasons:
→ The Indian landmass has a central location between the East and the West Asia.
→ 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.
→ 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.
10. Why Indian Ocean named after country, India? Give reasons.
Answer
The Indian Ocean named after country, India because:
→ No other country has a long coastline on the Indian Ocean as India has.
→ The central location of India at the head of the Indian Ocean has provided India a strategic location of great significance along the trans-Indian Ocean route. It is India’s eminent position in the Indian Ocean which justifies the naming of the ocean after India.
11. What is the importance of Suez canal?
Answer
The opening of Suez canal reduced the distance of India from Europe by 7000 km.
12. What role Indian land route play in relationship of India with other countries?
Answer
The Indian land routes are much older than her maritime contacts.
→ The various passes across the mountains in the north have provided passages to the ancient travellers while the oceans restricted such interaction for a long time.
→ These routes have contributed in the exchange of ideas and commodities since ancient times. The ideas of the Upanishads and the Ramayana, the stories of Panchtantra, the Indian numerals, and the decimal system thus could reach many parts of the world.
→ The spices, muslin and other merchandise were taken from India to different countries. On the other hand, the influence of Greek sculpture, and the architectural styles of dome and minarets from West Asia can be seen in different parts of India.
13. Why is India often called subcontinent?
Answer
India is often called Indian Subcontinent because:
→ It has distinct geographical features separated from other Asian countries by the majestic Himalayas and its extensions.
→ The climate of Indian subcontinent is characterised by monsoon type of climate.
→ It has its own culture as distinct from the rest of Asia.
14. Name the countries who share boundary with India with their location.
Answer
The countries who shares its land boundaries with India are Pakistan and Afghanistan in the northwest, China (Tibet), Nepal and Bhutan in the north and Myanmar and Bangladesh in the east.