India's Location
India is located in the Northern Hemisphere, entirely in the Northern and Eastern hemispheres.
- Latitudinal extent: 8°4'N to 37°6'N
- Longitudinal extent: 68°7'E to 97°25'E
- Total area: 3.28 million square kilometers
Strategic Importance: India's central location between East and West Asia makes it important for trade and commerce.
India's Size
- Area: 32,87,263 square kilometers
- Land boundaries: 15,200 km
- Coastline: 7,516.6 km
- Island territories: 1,382 km
Question: How does India's size compare globally? Answer: India is the 7th largest country by area, about 1/3rd the size of the US and slightly larger than Argentina.
India's Boundaries
- Land boundaries: Shares borders with 7 countries
- Pakistan: Northwest (3,323 km)
- China: North (3,488 km)
- Nepal: North (1,751 km)
- Bhutan: Northeast (699 km)
- Bangladesh: East (4,097 km)
- Myanmar: East (1,643 km)
- Afghanistan: Northwest (106 km)
Maritime Boundaries: India is surrounded by the Arabian Sea (west), Bay of Bengal (east), and Indian Ocean (south).
Standard Time
- Standard meridian: 82°30'E
- Time difference: UTC +5:30
- Reference location: Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh
Question: Why does India follow a single time zone? Answer: For administrative convenience, despite its large longitudinal extent.