Unity in Diversity

Chapter 1 India: Size and Location
 Location  Latitudes: 8 degree 4’ N and 37 degree 6’ N  Longitudes: 68 degree 7’ E and 97 degree 25’ E  India is divided into almost two equal parts by the Tropic of Cancer (23 degree 30’ N).  Andaman and Nicobar Islands are situated towards the Southeast of the Indian mainland in the Bay of Bengal.  Lakshadweep Islands are situated towards the Southwest of the Indian mainland in the Arabian Sea.  Size  Seventh largest country in the world  India’s total area is 2.4% of the total geographical area of the world.  Area of India: 3.28 million square km.  Land boundary: 15,200 km  Length of coastline (including Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep Islands): 7,516.6 km.  22 degree North latitude in South, it narrows and extends towards the Indian Ocean, dividing it into two seas – Arabian Sea in the West and Bay of Bengal in the East.  Time along the Standard Meridian (82 degree 30’ E) passing through Mirzapur (in U.P.) is taken as the standard time for the entire country.  India and the World  India is centrally located in Asia.  The routes through the Indian Ocean connect countries of Europe and East Asia; thus, providing a strategic central location to India.  Various passages through the mountains in the North were of great help for ancient travellers as the oceans limited such communications for ages. These passages contributed in globalizing the ideas of Upanishads, Ramayana, Panchatantra, Indian numerals and decimal systems.  Likewise, Greek architecture can be found in various parts of our country.

 India’s Neighbours  In the Northwest: Pakistan and Afghanistan  In the North: China, Nepal and Bhutan  In the East: Myanmar and Bangladesh  Down South: Sri Lanka and Maldives

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