NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Geography Chapter 1 India – Size and Location

Class 9 Geography Chapter 1 India – Size and Location:- NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Geography Chapter 1, "India - Size and Location," offer comprehensive explanations and answers to exercises aimed at understanding India's geographical dimensions and strategic significance. The chapter covers India's vastness, geographical coordinates, neighbouring countries, and its strategic position in the Indian Ocean region. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the fundamentals of India's geography and prepare effectively for examinations by providing clear explanations and illustrative diagrams.

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Class 9 Geography Chapter 1 India – Size and Location

1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.

(i) The Tropic of Cancer does not pass through

(a) Rajasthan (b) Odisha (c) Chhattisgarh (d) Tripura

(ii) The easternmost longitude of India is

(a) 97° 25′ E (b) 68° 7′ E

(c) 77° 6′ E (d) 82° 32′ E

(iii) Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim have common frontiers with

(a) China (b) Bhutan (c) Nepal (d) Myanmar

(iv) If you intend to visit Kavarati during your summer vacations, which one of the following Union Territories of India will you be going to

(a) Puducherry (b) Lakshadweep (c) Andaman and Nicobar (d) Daman and Diu

(v) My friend hails from a country which does not share a land boundary with India. Identify the country.

(a) Bhutan (b) Tajikistan (c) Bangladesh (d) Nepal

Answer:- (i) The Tropic of Cancer does not pass through - (b) Odisha.

(ii) The easternmost longitude of India is - (a) 97° 25′ E.

(iii) Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Sikkim have common frontiers with - (c) Nepal.

(iv) Kavarati is situated in the union territory of - (b) Lakshadweep.

(v) (b) Tajikistan does not share a land boundary with India.

Check out: NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Geography Chapter 2 Physical Features of India

2. Answer the following questions briefly.

(i) Name the group of islands lying in the Arabian Sea.

(ii) Name the countries which are larger than India.

(iii) Which island group of India lies to its south-east?

(iv) Which island countries are our southern neighbours?

Answer: 

(i): India is situated in the Northern Hemisphere, spanning between latitudes 8°4’N and 37°6’N, and longitudes 68°7’E and 97°25’E. The Tropic of Cancer (23° 30’N) divides the country nearly in half. To the southwest of the mainland, the Lakshadweep Islands are located in the Arabian Sea, while to the southeast, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are situated in the Bay of Bengal.

(ii): Among the countries larger than India are Russia, Canada, the USA, China, Brazil, and Australia. Russia is the largest country globally, covering an area of 17.09 million sq.km, whereas India spans 3.28 million sq.km.

(iii): The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are positioned to the southeast of India in the Bay of Bengal. India's land boundary extends approximately 15,200 km. Including the coastlines of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, the total coastline length is 7,516.6 km.

(iv): The island nations neighbouring India to the south are Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The Maldives islands lie south of Lakshadweep islands, while Sri Lanka is separated from India by the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar.

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3. The sun rises two hours earlier in Arunachal Pradesh as compared to Gujarat in the west, but the watches show the same time. How does this happen?

Answer: India spans approximately 30° in both latitude and longitude. The north-south extent is greater than the east-west extent. Due to this span, there is a time difference of two hours between Gujarat in the west and Arunachal Pradesh in the east. Being situated farther east, Arunachal Pradesh experiences sunrise earlier than Gujarat. The Standard Meridian of India, passing through Mirzapur (Uttar Pradesh) at 82°30’E, is adopted as the national standard time. The north-south extent affects the duration of day and night across India, ensuring that clocks show the same time throughout the country.

4. The central location of India at the head of the Indian Ocean is considered of great significance. Why?

Answer: India, extending southward from the Asian continent, occupies a pivotal position between East and West Asia. Situated centrally along the Indian Ocean, India serves as a crucial link connecting East Asian nations with Europe to the West. 

The Deccan Peninsula juts into the Indian Ocean, facilitating India's extensive interactions with West Asia, Africa, and Europe from its western coast, and with Southeast and East Asia from its eastern coast. India's unique geography includes a lengthy coastline along the Indian Ocean, a distinction that justifies its association with the naming of this ocean.

Class 9 Geography Chapter 1 India – Size and Location Summary

1. Geographical Extent

• India is located in South Asia and extends between latitudes 8°4’N and 37°6’N, and longitudes 68°7’E and 97°25’E.

• The Tropic of Cancer (23°30’N) divides India into almost two equal parts.

2. Physical Divisions

• Northern Plains: Extends from Punjab to Assam, fertile region due to the alluvial soil of the Ganga-Brahmaputra basin.

• Peninsular Plateau: Covers most of South India, composed of ancient rocks and rich in minerals.

• Coastal Plains: Along the eastern and western coasts, narrow strips of fertile land.

• Islands: Includes the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal and Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea.

3. Significance of Location

• India's central location in South Asia provides strategic advantages in terms of trade routes and geopolitical influence.

• The Indian Ocean to the south connects India with East Asia, Africa, and Europe, facilitating maritime trade and cultural exchanges.

4. Standard Time

• The Standard Meridian of India (82°30’E), passing through Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, is taken as the basis for Indian Standard Time (IST), creating a single time zone for the entire country.

5. Neighboring Countries

• India shares land borders with Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, influencing cultural and economic interactions.

6. Coastline and Islands

• India has a coastline of about 7,516.6 kilometres, including the coastlines of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep Islands.

• The islands contribute to India's maritime resources and strategic presence in the Indian Ocean region.

7. Climatic and Vegetation Diversity

• India's diverse geography influences varied climate zones from tropical to temperate, affecting agriculture and biodiversity.

• Factors such as altitude, latitude, and proximity to the sea contribute to this diversity.

8. Cultural and Economic Diversity

• India's geographical diversity supports a variety of economic activities such as agriculture, industry, tourism, and trade.

• This diversity also enriches India's cultural heritage through regional traditions, languages, and lifestyles.

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Class 9 Geography Chapter 1 India – Size and Location FAQs

Q1. How is India divided by the Tropic of Cancer?

Ans. The Tropic of Cancer (23°30’N) divides India into nearly two equal parts.

Q2. What are the major physical divisions of India mentioned in this chapter?

Ans. The major physical divisions of India discussed include the Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Coastal Plains, and the islands of Andaman and Nicobar, and Lakshadweep.

Q3. Why is the Standard Meridian of India significant?

Ans. The Standard Meridian of India (82°30’E), passing through Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, serves as the basis for Indian Standard Time (IST), making it the official time zone for the country.

Q4. How does India's geography influence its climate and vegetation?

Ans. India's north-south extent influences variations in climate and vegetation from tropical to subtropical and temperate zones. This diversity is influenced by factors like altitude, latitude, and proximity to the sea.

Q5. Which neighbouring countries share boundaries with India?

Ans. Neighbouring countries sharing boundaries with India include Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.