India Physical Environment Chapter 1 India – Location

(i) Pakistan 

(ii)Afghanistan 

(iii)Nepal 
 
(iv)Bhutan 

(v)China

(vi)Bangladesh

(vi)Myanmar 

(vii)Sri Lanka.

2. Maldives.

Yes, India needs to have more than one standard time, because there is a time gap of about 2 hours between the easternmost parts to westernmost parts to westernmost parts of the country. The large longitudinal expanse of India about 30°  approximately. So even when the sun is still shining in the western coast, it is already night in the northeast. Hence, we need two or three time zones to clearly reflect diurnal changes.

A country like USA has seven times zones due to their vast east to a west extent.

1) India is not a pigmy because of her 3.2 million sq. kilometre area equal to the entire continent of Europe. It is not giant because of her area less than a single country of Asian continent i.e. Russia.

2) When we compare India in terms of area with only of the other countries in the world, she ranks seventh among the largest countries. Hence, India is neither a pigmy nor a giant.

3) We can assume giant countries the Russia, the USA or the Canada and Sri Lanka, Maldives, Jordan, Israel etc. island countries as pigmy. India stands in the middle of giant and pigmy countries of the world.

1. It is separated from the rest of the continent of Asia by Hindukush in the North-West and the Himalayan ranges in the North. It is isolated by the Indian Ocean on the southern side from rest of the world.

2. It has a distinct type of climate–the monsoon type of climate which is not found beyond the Himalayas.

3. Its cultural ethos is quite unique which is full of diversities with an undercurrent of unity.

1. There is a difference of about two hours in local time of Arunachal Pradesh which is located in the east and that of Kathiawar which is located in the westernmost part of India.

2. When it is sunrise in Arunachal Pradesh, it is still night in Kathiawar.

3. It will take days for traveller, travelling by bus and train, from Arunachal Pradesh to Kathiawar in Gujarat.

4. There is a difference in race groups of people of east and west of India. They differ in their languages and cultures.

5. There is a lot of difference as regards the climate and vegetation when we travel from east to west.

1. The great mountainous wall of Himalayas on the north.

2. The Indian Ocean lies in the south of India.

These two geographical features acted as physical barrier and kept Indian culture in a unified nature.

The southern half of the country lies within the tropics and the northern half in the sub tropical zone or the warm temperate zone. This location has been responsible for the wide variety of rich flora and fauna. Indian farmers are also highly benefitted by this vast extent and ideal temperature conditions to grow a variety of crops such as rice, wheat, jowar, maize and fruits ranging from equatorial to temperate regions such as pine apple, mango, apples, etc.

The factors that have led to the underlying unity of social character in the country are :

1. The monsoonal rhythm of seasons which provides a strong element of uniformity.

2. The horizontal spread of cultural and socio-economic attributes from different parts of the country and the evergoing interaction through inter-regional contacts and exchanges which generate the process of cultural fusion and strong bonds of unification and integration

3. The development of regional linkages and emergence of a regional home market during the British rule in India.

1. Nepal is only Hindu state in the world. Naturally, it had maintained cultural relation with India - a biggest Hindu state in the world.

2. The Sanskrit language had provided the base of Nepali language which is written in Devnagari script.

These two cultural ties prove the bonds of mutual co-operation between India and Nepal. Recently construction of roads and Kosi Project in Nepal and the support for the restoration of democracy by India have further strengthened the bonds of mutual co-operation.

The two climatic factors play a significant role in the growth of population in India. These factors are :

1. The abundant sunshine from the tropical sun.

2. Monsoonal rainfall.

India is situated in between 8°N and 37.6°N latitudes. The Tropic of Cancer passes though its middle and it gets abundant sunshine from the tropical sun throughout the year. This warm temperature makes the ideal conditions for the growth of various food crops and cash crops throughout the year. This long growing season is assisted by the monsoon rainfall. So the agricultural activities run throughout the year and production of food and cash crops is enough to feed the millions in India.

Thus, the two climatic factors-warm temperature and monsoon rainfall, exert a tremendous impact on the destiny of Indian people and make India a densely populated country.

Thus the two seas surrounding India acted as a maritime links between India and its surrounding regions. These water bodies have acted as barriers and favoured the development of a unique homogeneity in its civilisation.

Lakshwadeep

In the context of diversity of India, particularly in term of distinct physical features, one can see its parallelism to human beings who live here. Needless to state that numerous castes, creeds, races, religions, customs, rituals etc. live here in peaceful co-existence. Internal clashes, feuds take place here from time to time but all of them unite into one for her defence from infiltrators, militants, terrorists, invaders from outside India. Eg. India- China War, 1962, India-Pakistan War of 1965,1971,1999 (Kargil), are evidences of that unity and integrity among Indian people. People of different beliefs are sewn here with the single thread of patriotism and spirit of extreme nationality.

Thus, we can state that diverse physiographic divisions constitute India the same way as people of diverse beliefs live and defend it with a spirit of oneness and integrity.

A.

B.

B.

A.

2. Khybar : It is second highest mountain peak of the world and situated in Karakoram range of north India.

3. Indira point : It is an island south of Nicobar island. It is the southernmost point of Indian territory.

4. Porbandar : It is situated on sea coast of Arabian sea. It is also the westernmost town of India. It is the birth place of Mahatma Gandhi.

5. New Delhi : It is situated in northern India. It is the capital of the country.

6. Hyderabad : It is the capital of Andhra Pradesh and is famous as the city of Charminar. It was also capital of Nizams.

Union Territories : (i) Chandigarh, (ii) Delhi, (iii) Diu and Daman, (iv) Dadra and Nagar Haveli, (v) Pondicherry, (vi) Lakshadweep, (vii) Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

(i)

Arunachal Pradesh 83743 sq. km. 14
(iv)Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal.
(v)Rajasthan, M.P., Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand.

Mount Everest.