India: Location
NCERT Solutions • Class 11 Geography (India: Physical Environment) • Chapter 11. Multiple Choice Questions
(i) Which one of the following latitudinal extent is relevant for the extent of India’s area?
(b) 8°4’N – 37°6’N
Reason: This represents the latitudinal extent of the mainland of India (Kanyakumari to Indira Col).
Note: If the question considered the island groups (Andaman & Nicobar), the southern extent would be 6°45’N (Indira Point).
Reason: This represents the latitudinal extent of the mainland of India (Kanyakumari to Indira Col).
Note: If the question considered the island groups (Andaman & Nicobar), the southern extent would be 6°45’N (Indira Point).
(ii) Which one of the following countries shares the longest land frontier with India?
(a) Bangladesh
Reason: India shares a border of 4,096.7 km with Bangladesh, which is the longest among all neighbors. China is second with 3,488 km. [Image of India’s neighboring countries map]
Reason: India shares a border of 4,096.7 km with Bangladesh, which is the longest among all neighbors. China is second with 3,488 km. [Image of India’s neighboring countries map]
(iii) Which one of the following countries is larger in area than India?
(a) China
Reason: India is the 7th largest country in the world. China is the 3rd (or 4th) largest, significantly bigger than India. France, Egypt, and Iran are smaller.
Reason: India is the 7th largest country in the world. China is the 3rd (or 4th) largest, significantly bigger than India. France, Egypt, and Iran are smaller.
(iv) Which one of the following longitudes is the standard meridian for India?
(b) 82°30’E
Reason: This longitude passes near Mirzapur (Uttar Pradesh) and is chosen to maintain a uniform time (IST) across the country, being roughly central between the eastern and western extremities.
Reason: This longitude passes near Mirzapur (Uttar Pradesh) and is chosen to maintain a uniform time (IST) across the country, being roughly central between the eastern and western extremities.
2. Short Answer Questions
(i) Does India need to have more than one standard time? If yes, why?
Yes, arguably.
The longitudinal gap between Gujarat (West) and Arunachal Pradesh (East) is about $30^\circ$, causing a time difference of 2 hours. The sun rises and sets much earlier in the Northeast, affecting productivity and energy usage. A separate time zone (e.g., ‘Chai Bagan Time’) could align work hours better with daylight.
The longitudinal gap between Gujarat (West) and Arunachal Pradesh (East) is about $30^\circ$, causing a time difference of 2 hours. The sun rises and sets much earlier in the Northeast, affecting productivity and energy usage. A separate time zone (e.g., ‘Chai Bagan Time’) could align work hours better with daylight.
(ii) What are the implications of India having a long coastline?
India has a coastline of 7,517 km.
Implications:
Implications:
- Trade: Facilitates maritime trade with West Asia, Africa, and Southeast Asia via major ports.
- Climate: Moderate climate in the south and origin of the Monsoon winds.
- Resources: Vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for fishing and mineral/oil exploration.
(iii) How is the latitudinal spread of India advantageous to her?
The latitudinal spread ($8^\circ$ N to $37^\circ$ N) provides:
- Climatic Diversity: Tropical climate in the south (warm year-round) and Sub-tropical/Temperate influence in the north (distinct seasons).
- Day Length: Variations in the duration of day and night differ significantly from south (minimal variation) to north (up to 4-5 hours difference in Kashmir).
- Agricultural Variety: Allows cultivation of diverse crops ranging from rubber/spices to wheat/apples.
(iv) How do the watches at Kohima and New Delhi show the same time despite sunrise difference?
This is because India follows a Single Standard Time (IST).
To avoid administrative confusion, the time along the Standard Meridian ($82^\circ 30’$ E) is applied to the entire country. Therefore, watches everywhere are set to IST, regardless of when the sun physically rises at that specific location.
To avoid administrative confusion, the time along the Standard Meridian ($82^\circ 30’$ E) is applied to the entire country. Therefore, watches everywhere are set to IST, regardless of when the sun physically rises at that specific location.
Project & Activity Work
Activity based on Appendix I (States & Districts)
(Guidance for Analysis)
- (i) Graph Plotting: You will notice that generally, larger states (like MP, Karnataka) have more districts compared to smaller ones (Goa). However, this is not a strict rule; states like UP have disproportionately high districts due to population density.
- (ii) Population Density:
Most Densely Populated: West Bengal (or Uttar Pradesh depending on absolute numbers vs density). Note: Bihar is actually highest in density (2011 Census), but among the listed options, West Bengal is very high.
Least Densely Populated: Arunachal Pradesh. - (iv) Coastal States: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal.
- (v) Land-locked States (West to East): Rajasthan (border), Punjab (border), Haryana (landlocked), Himachal (border), MP (landlocked), Chhattisgarh (landlocked), Jharkhand (landlocked). Note: “Only land boundary” usually implies international border states that don’t touch the sea. True landlocked states are Haryana, MP, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Telangana.
Activity based on Appendix II (Union Territories)
- (i) Coastal UTs: Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu.
- (ii) Delhi vs Andaman Variation:
NCT Delhi: Very small area but massive population due to being the Capital, urbanization, and migration.
Andaman & Nicobar: Large geographical area (islands) but very low population due to remote location, forests, and limited connectivity.