India: Size and Physical Features

North: Himalayas (Snowy), West: Arabian Sea, East: Bay of Bengal, South: Indian Ocean.

About 3.28 million square km.

North-South (Kashmir to Kanyakumari): 3200 km. East-West (Arunachal Pradesh to Kuchchh): 2900 km.

Northern Hemisphere. Tropic of Cancer (23 30' N) passes halfway through. Latitudes: 8 4' N to 37 6' N. Longitudes: 68 7' E to 97 25' E.

The longitudinal extent is about 29 degrees, causing a time lag of 2 hours between East and West. To have uniform time, 82 30' E is chosen as the standard meridian.

7 countries share land boundaries: Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh. Island neighbors: Sri Lanka and Maldives.

Into 28 States and 8 Union Territories. Delhi is the national capital. Rajasthan is largest state, Goa is smallest.

Great Himalaya (Himadri) in the north, Middle Himalaya (Himachal), and Shiwalik in the south.

South of the Himalayas. Formed by alluvial deposits of Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra. Very fertile and flat.

Triangular in shape. Lying to the south of northern plains. Highly uneven relief. Includes Aravalli range, Vindhyas, Satpuras. Rivers Narmada and Tapi flow west. Rich in minerals like coal and iron ore.

Western Ghats (Sahyadris) border the plateau on the west (continuous). Eastern Ghats border the east (broken/uneven).

West of Western Ghats (narrow) and East of Eastern Ghats (broad).

Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri. They form fertile deltas. Sunderban delta (Ganga-Brahmaputra) is the world's largest delta.

Lakshadweep: Coral islands in the Arabian Sea (off Kerala coast). Andaman & Nicobar: Chain of islands in Bay of Bengal.

A river or stream which contributes its water to a main river by discharging it into the main river from either side.

Fine soil brought by rivers and deposited in the river basins.

A piece of land surrounded by water on three sides.

Located in the western part of India (Rajasthan). Dry, hot and sandy stretch of land. Very little vegetation.

Because the land is flat and the soil is fertile, making it ideal for agriculture and settlement.

From skeletons of tiny marine animals called Polyps. When they die, skeletons remain; other polyps grow on top, forming mounds.

India is the 7th largest country.

India is the 2nd most populous country (now 1st in some updates).

Area is 3.28 million sq. km.

Kashmir to Kanyakumari is 3200 km.

Arunachal to Kuchchh is 2900 km.

Tropic of Cancer passes mainly through the middle.

India is in the Northern and Eastern Hemispheres.

Local time difference between extremities is 2 hours.

Standard Meridian: 82 deg 30 min E.

Palk Strait separates India and Sri Lanka.

India has 28 States and 8 Union Territories.

Delhi is the National Capital.

Rajasthan is the largest state (area).

Goa is the smallest state (area).

Himalaya means 'Abode of Snow'.

Himadri is the world's highest peak range.

Mt. Everest is in Nepal Himalayas.

Aravalli hills are one of the oldest ranges in the world.

Narmada and Tapi are west-flowing rivers.

Narmada and Tapi drain into the Arabian Sea.

Western Ghats are also called Sahyadris.

Deccan Plateau is rich in minerals.

Eastern Coastal plains are broad.

Western Coastal plains are narrow.

Sunderban delta is formed by Ganga and Brahmaputra.

Sunderban is the home of the Royal Bengal Tiger.

Lakshadweep islands are Coral islands.

Andaman and Nicobar are volcanic origin (mostly).

Tsunami 2004 affected Andaman islands.

Ganga is the longest river entirely in India.

Yamuna lies parallel to Ganga.

Godavari is the Dakshin Ganga.

Mahanadi flows through Odisha.

Krishna flows through Andhra/Telangana.

Kaveri flows through Karnataka/Tamil Nadu.

Chilika Lake is in Odisha.

Mawsynram usually receives highest rainfall.

States are formed mainly on the basis of languages.

Amaravati is the new capital of Andhra Pradesh.

Telangana was carved out of Andhra Pradesh (2014).

Polyps are tiny marine animals.

Corals are skeletal remains of Polyps.

India has a diverse landscape (mountains, plateaus, plains, coasts, islands).

Indus river flows mainly through Pakistan.

Ganga originates from Gangotri glacier.

Brahmaputra originates in Tibet (Tsangpo).

Vindhyas and Satpuras separate North and South India.

Kumaon Himalayas are in Uttarakhand.

Seven Sisters are the NE states.

Important Coords: 8N-37N, 68E-97E

Telangana formation