India: Size, Location and Physical Features: Class 9 Study Guide
India lies in the northern and eastern hemispheres and has mountains, plains, plateaus, a desert, coasts and islands.
India lies in the northern hemisphere between about 8°N and 37°N, and in the eastern hemisphere between about 68°E and 97°E. The Tropic of Cancer passes through the middle of the country. India has an area of about 3.28 million square kilometres, which makes it the seventh-largest country in the world. It has a land border of about 15,200 km and a coastline of about 7,500 km including its islands.
The Standard Meridian of India is 82°30′E, and Indian Standard Time is based on it, 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of GMT.
Physical divisions
| Division | Features |
|---|---|
| The Himalayas | Young fold mountains in the north, with the Himadri, Himachal and Shiwalik ranges |
| The Northern Plains | Fertile land built by the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra |
| The Peninsular Plateau | Old hard rocks, with the Deccan Plateau and the Western and Eastern Ghats |
| The Indian Desert | Dry land in the west, to the west of the Aravalli hills |
| The Coastal Plains | Narrow strips on the west and wider ones on the east |
| The Islands | Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea; Andaman and Nicobar in the Bay of Bengal |
Rivers
Himalayan rivers such as the Ganga, Indus and Brahmaputra are perennial, fed by rain and melting snow. Peninsular rivers such as the Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri flow mainly in the rainy season. Most peninsular rivers flow east into the Bay of Bengal, but the Narmada and Tapti flow west into the Arabian Sea.
Himalayas or Ghats.
Plains or plateau.
Which sea?
Farming, power, cities.
Why does location matter?
The Indian Ocean gave India sea routes with Africa, West Asia, Southeast Asia and Europe. The Himalayas shield the country from cold winds from the north. India's mountains, rivers and coasts support farming and trade.
Worked examples and common mistakes
Example: Which line of latitude passes through India? The Tropic of Cancer. Example: Which rivers flow west? The Narmada and the Tapti. Common mistakes: thinking that all peninsular rivers flow west, and saying that the Himalayas are old. They are young fold mountains.
Check your understanding: model answers
1. The Himalayas, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Indian Desert, Coastal Plains and Islands. 2. The Tropic of Cancer. 3. The Narmada or the Tapti.
✨ Key Takeaways
- India has an area of about 3.28 million km².
- The Tropic of Cancer passes through India.
- IST is based on 82°30′E.
- India has six physical divisions.
💬 Questions for Discussion & Reflection
- Name the six physical divisions.
- Which line of latitude passes through India?
- Name a west-flowing river.