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NCERT Class 11 Geography Chapter 17 India-Location
Also, you can read the NCERT book online in these sections Solutions by Expert Teachers as per Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Book guidelines. CBSE Class 11 Geography Solutions are part of All Subject Solutions. Here we have given NCERT Class 11 Geography Part I: Fundamentals of Physical Geography, Part II: Indian: Physical Environment, Part III: Practical Work in Geography. NCERT Class 11 Geography Chapter 17 India-Location Notes, NCERT Class 11 Geography Textbook Solutions for All Chapters, You can practice these here.
India-Location
Chapter: 17
GEOGRAPY [ PART – II ]
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
Q.1. Mention the land boundary and total length of the coastline of the mainland including Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep.
Ans. Land boundary is 15,200 km. and total length of coast line is 7,516 km.
Q.2. Why do we need the Standard Meridian of India? Give two reasons.
Ans. (i) Because of big time gap between east and west. Eg. Sun rises in Arunachal Pradesh when it still night (dawn) in Gujarat.
(ii) Because it helps in allocation of standard time of longitude 82½°E (Allahabad).
Q.3. What is the distance per degree of latitude?
Ans. It is about 111 km.
Q.4. What is the total north-south extent of India in degrees of latitude and in km?
Ans. (i) 30°.
(ii) 3200 km.
Q.5. Which states of India have common frontiers with China?
Ans. These states are Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
Q.6. What do you understand by Prime Meridian?
Ans. It is an imaginary semi-circular line. It joins North Pole and South Pole. It passes over Greenwich Observatory near London. It’s value is 0° longitude. It is prime because all other meridians of longitude are determined in reference to it.
Q.7. What is tropical zone?
Ans. It falls at 23½° N of Tropic of Cancer and 23½° S of Tropic of Capricorn.
Q.8. Why is it that Ahmedabad in the west and Kolkata in the east are able to see the noon-sun exactly overhead twice a year, but not Delhi?
Ans. Places situated between the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer (in Northern Hemisphere) receive generally the sun shining at noon twice a year overhead. Delhi (28°38′ N) does not fall within them while Kolkata (22°34′ N) and Ahmedabad (23°3′ N) enjoy that position.
Q.9. India is known as Bharat after whom?
Ans. India is known as Bharat after the name of King Bharat. Some people believe that the name has been derived from the Bharata tribe.
Q.10. Who called Sindhu as Indus?
Ans. The Persians called Sindhu as Indus.
Q.11. What is the longitudinal extension of India?
Ans. The longitudinal extension of India is between 68°.7′ East to 97° 25′ East longitudes.
Q.12. What is the latitudinal expanse of India?
Ans. India extends from 8°.4′ N to 37°.6′ N latitude.
Q.13. What is the position of India in terms of area and population?
Ans. India stands seventh in terms of area and second in terms of population in the world.
Q.14. Name two countries each on the west and east of India.
Ans. The countries on the west of India are Afghanistan and Pakistan and on the east are Bangladesh and Myanmar.
Q.15. Where is the Tarim basin located?
Ans. Tarim basin is located in Sinkiang region of China.
Q.16. Name the neighbouring countries of India.
Ans. The neighbouring countries of India are Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.
Q.17. What is the area of India?
Ans. The area of India is 32,87,263 sq. km.
Q.18. Which line of latitude passes through the centre of India?
Ans. Tropic of Cancer (23°N) passes through the centre of India.
Q.19. What is the length of coastline of India?
Ans. 6100 km.
Q.20. Which ocean route links India with Europe?
Ans. Suez Canal.
Q.21. What is the real source of strength of India?
Ans. Unity in diversity.
Q.22. What is the east-west and north- south extension of India?
Ans. India is extends 2933 km in east-west and 3214 km in north-south.
Q.23. Name two towns located on Tropic of Cancer in India.
Ans. Ahmedabad and Jabalpur.
Q.24. Which line of longitude passes through India?
Ans. It is 82°.30′ E.
Q.25. Name two towns located on 82, E. longitude.
Ans. Allahabad and Ranchi.
Q.26. Name the states of north-east hilly area.
Ans. 1. Arunachal Pradesh.
2. Assam.
3. Nagaland.
4. Manipur.
5. Mizoram.
6. Tripura. and
7. Meghalaya.
Q.27. Name the state which has the longest coastline.
Ans. Gujarat.
Q.28. Name two southern neighbouring countries of India.
Ans. 1. Sri Lanka.
2. Maldives.
Q.29. What is McMohan Line? What does it signify?
Ans. It is a dividing line between India and China realms. To the East of Bhutan, the crest of the High Himalayas stands between India and China. It separates China from India. This crest of High Himalayas is known as the McMohan line.
Q.30. What do you mean by Indian subcontinent?
Ans. Himalayas in the north, Hindu Kush and Sulaiman ranges in the north-west, Purvachal hills in the north-east and by the large expanse of the Indian ocean in the south forms a great geographic entity known as the Indian subcontinent.
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
Q.1. Does India need to have more than one standard time? If yes, why do you think so?
Ans. India has a large longitudinal expanse of about 30°. So even when the sun is still shining in western coast, it is already night in north-east. So we need two or three time zones to clearly reflect diurnal changes.
Q.2. What are the implications of India having a long coastline?
Ans. (i) This long cost provides best and protected ports for India.
(ii) India has a large fishing area due to long coast line.
(iii) India has a large international trade due to it.
(iv) Many resources are found along this coast line (7517) km long.
(v) Many ship building yards are located along this coast.
(vi) It has linked countries with India.
Q.3. How is the longitudinal spread of India advantegeous to her?
Ans. The latitudinal spread of India is in the length of 3214 km from north to south. This spread of extension is advantageous to the country in the following ways:
1. The southern part of the country lies within the tropics while the northern part lies in temperate or subtropical zone.
2. There is variation in the climates which is useful for the agricultural activities.
3. The latitudinal extension is responsible for large variations in land forms, soil types and vegetation in the country.
4. Different types of forests are found in the country due to the north-south latitudinal extension.
Q.4. What is a subcontinent? Why is India called subcontinent?
Ans. A sub-continent is a big geographical unit which stands out distinctly from the rest of the continent. India is a country of great geographical extent. It is a vast country. It is separated by the high Himalayas from the Asian continent. It is located south of Asia. It has such geographical features which force us to call it a subcontinent. The countries, including India, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan and Bangladesh put together form this sub-continent. The Himalayas and the monsoon winds play a significant role in the geographical condition of these countries and bind them into a geographical unit which is known as sub-continent.
Q.5. While the sunrises earlier in the east, say Nagaland and also sets earlier, how do the watches at Kohima and New Delhi show the same time?
Ans. The Indian Standard Meridian is 82°.30’E and the time interval from Greenwich Mean Time is 5.30 hrs. Both the cities Delhi and Kohima is in the east of 0° meridian. That is why they show the same standard of times. The local time of a place is known by the altitude of the sun of that place i.e., 12 o’clock for over head sun. But standard time is the time of a central meridians.
In India this time is taken from 82½°E longitude near Mirzapur. The altitude of the sun is different at Kohima and New Delhi. But both the towns have some standard times, the watches at all the stations show the same time.
Q.6. “India is neither a pigmy nor a giant among the nations of the world.” Explain this statement by giving three specific examples.
Ans. (i) 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.
(ii) 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.
(iii) 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.
Q.7. Why do we need a Standard Meridian for India?
Ans. The latitudinal and longitudinal extent of India is almost the same in degrees (i.e. 30 degree) but in kilometres, the north-south distance is 3200 kilometres while that of east-west distance i.e. 3000 km. In order to bring uniformity in local time, the Standard Meridian of 82°30’E has been accepted. It passes through Mirzapur (U.P.). Hence, we can state that we need Standard Meridian for India to maintain a standard time.
Q.8. Give reasons:
(i) There is a difference of two hours in local time between the easternmost part of Arunachal Pradesh and the westernmost part of Gujarat.
Ans. The Arunachal Pradesh is the easternmost state and the Gujarat is the westernmost state. Naturally, they experience such variation in the local time because of the longitudinal distance of 30° longitudes. This longitudinal distance of 30° longitudes makes a difference of 2 hours between the Arunachal Pradesh and the Gujarat. Hence, when it is 6 a.m. in Arunachal Pradesh, the local time at Gujarat is supposed to be behind by 2 hours as compared to the Arunachal Pradesh, it is 4 a.m. Therefore, it is correct to say that when the sun has already risen in the Arunachal Pradesh, it is still night in the Gujarat.
(ii) The sun is inclined sometimes to the north and sometimes to the south at midday in Hyderabad but not in New Delhi.
Ans. Hyderabad is situated between the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator. When the sun is in aphelion, then it shines to the north of Hyderabad and when the sun is in perihelion, it shines to the south of Hyderabad at midday but Delhi is in the north of Tropic of Cancer, so this phenomenon does not take place in Delhi.
(iii) Describe the Western most point and Eastern most point of India.
Ans. India has an east-west extent of about 3000 kms. Its western most point lies on a creek in the salty marshes of the Runn of Khuchh. The Eastern most point lies in the forested hills where the boundaries of Myanmar, China and India meet. The eastern boundary of India is surrounded by the offshoots of the Himalayas.
Q.9. Why 82°.30′ E is chosen as the standard Meridian of our country?
Ans. There is a general understanding among the countries of the world to select the Standard Meridian in multiples of 7°.30′ of longitude. Hence 82°.30 E is choosen as the Standard Meridian of India, and the time along the Standard Meridian of India passing through Mirzapur is taken as the Standard Time for whole country.
Q.10. Why is Indian sub-continent considered a distinct geographical unit? Give three reasons in support of your Answer:
Ans. Indian sub-continent is considered a distinct geographical unit because of the following facts:
1. It is separated from the rest of the continent of Asia by Hindu Kush 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.
Q.11. How does longitudinal extent of India affect it? Explain with three examples.
Ans. India lies between 68.7’°E. longitude and 97.25°E longitude. The east-west extent of India is 30° longitude or about 3000 kilometres. This large extent from west to east influences people of India in many ways.
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.
Q.12. Mention two geographical features which have played a great unifying role in strengthening the forces of homogeneity in the Indian people.
Ans. The following two geographical factors have determined the homogeneity in the Indian people and unity in diversity:
(i) The great mountainous wall of Himalayas on the north.
(ii) 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.
Q.13. State the passes in N.W. part of India and explain their importances.
Ans. The only way people from outside could get into India were the Khyber Pass near Safed Koh and the Hindu Kush mountains and the Bolan pass between the Sulaiman and the Kirther ranges in the north-west that separated the Indian real from Afghanistan. It is through these routes that earlier central and west Asian tribes came to India and later armies of Alexender Afgan and Persians entered India. The sea routes also linked India with West Asia, East Africa and South East Asia in so far as trade was concerned.
Q.14. Why North-South is longer by 300 km as compared to east-west extension?
Ans. The actual distance measured from north-south extremely is 3214 km and that from east to west is only 2933 km. This difference is based on the fact the distance between two longitudes decrease towards the poles whereas the distance between two latitudes remains the some everywhere.
Q.15. What is the McMohan line? What does it signify?
Ans. McMohan line is the dividing line between India and China. It lies to the east of Bhutan. It extends from Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh. Beyond it lies the area of Sinkiang and Tibet. It runs along the crest of the High Himalayas. To the north of this line lies Tibet. This boundary line runs through a complex mountainous terrain. At its eastern point Myanmar, China and India meet each other. The crests along this form a natural boundary which acts as a watershed and is historically determined.
LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
Q.1. India plays a vital role in the South-east Asian region. Give your viewpoints to substantiate the statement.
Ans. India plays a vital role in south-east Asian region. India’s success in terms of strengthening the nation’s economic base have influenced the neighbouring countries and many have modelled their political and economic structure taking inspiration from India. India has always bestowed its influence upon the countries in case of any natural calamities. India helped Sri Lanka in the Tsunami calamity in 2004.
Q.2. Do you think that India’s peninsular location is beneficial to the country? Why do you think so?
Ans. Yes, it is correct to say that India’s peninsular location is beneficial to the country. The Indian climate is modified by the peninsular location. The influence of sea on the climate is apparent by the fact the temperatures do not go up as the peninsula is surrounded by sea on three sides. There are major ports on the coastline of the peninsular India which earn foreign exchange through export of various products and large number of people have their lively-hood based on fishing on coastline. Moderating influence of the sea and ocean has made the coastal areas a favoured place for living and for the development of tourism. Several tourist centres are located all along the coasts.
Q.3. What are the implications of the vast latitudinal extent of the country?
Ans. India extends from 8°.4’N to 37°.6′ N in latitudes. The latitudinal extent is of 30° and the actual distances from east to west is 2933 km.
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.
Q.4. Explain the following terms:
(i) Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
Ans. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam means that whole world is a family or a globalised family. This type of civilisation was based on love, non- violence and human brotherhood. This principle was followed by Mahavir, Shankaracharya and Mahatma Gandhi who were born in India. Indian culture upholds this principle even today.
(ii) Unity in diversity.
Ans. There are numerous diversities found in India, but India exhibits a high degree of unity in diversity. The factors that helped the emergence, of this unique feature of the Indian polity are large geographical spreads of the sub-continent which provide fertile grounds for germination and blossoming of regional diversities in the social set up. Differentiation in the physical landscape has contributed to the emergence of different ways and patterns of human interaction with nature. The imagination of people led to the concentration of diverse elements in different regions.
The factors that have led to the underlying unity of social character in the country are:
(i) The monsoonal rhythm of seasons which provides a strong element of uniformity.
(ii) The horizontal spread of cultural and socio-economic attributes from different parts of the country and the ever going interaction through inter-regional contacts and exchanges which generate the process of cultural fusion and strong bonds of unification and integration.
(iii) The development of regional linkages and emergence of a regional home market during the British rule in India.
Q.5. Give evidence for the relation with Nepal of India.
Ans. Nepal is an immediate neighbouring country of India. It had old cultural ties with India. The following points prove this statement:
(i) Nepal is only Hindu state in the world. Naturally, it had maintained cultural relation with India – a biggest Hindu state in the world.
(ii) 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 cooperation 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 cooperation.
Q.6. The abundant sunshine from the tropical sun and the splashing rains from the monsoon winds exert a tremendous impact on the destiny of the teeming millions of India. Explain.
Ans. India is a vast and densely populated country in the world. It is the second largest as regards the population and seventh largest as regards the area in the world. Its population is above 100 crores.
The two climatic factors play a significant role in the growth of population in India.
These factors are:
(i) The abundant sunshine from the tropical sun.
(ii) 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.
Q.7. The seas surrounding the shores of India have played a vital role in determining the nature of interaction of the Indian people with those of surrounding regions. Explain.
Ans. India has a long coastline of about 6100 km. It is surrounded by two seas-The Arabian seas on the west and Bay of Bengal on the east. These two seas have favoured India to develop the trade relations with Africa, South-west Asia and South-east Asia. The maritime links has a great impact on the Indian civilisation and they had added a new flavour and richness to it.
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.
Q.8. Explain the importance of geographical location of India.
Ans. The importance of geographical location of India is:
1. Central Location : India is centrally located on the Eastern Hemisphere. Western and eastern part of America are equidistant from India.
2. Trade Routes: India is favourably located for international trade routes through Indian Ocean.
3. Nearness to Tropic of Cancer: The Tropic of Cancer passes through the centre of India. So India is a tropical country.
4. Long Coastline : India has a long coast-line which provides many deep and natural harbours.
5. Defence: The natural boundaries are favourably located from the defence point of view.
6. Effect of Indian Ocean: The Indian Ocean leads to the origin of rain-giving monsoons.
Q.9. “Unity in diversity” of India is also apparent from her geographical features.” Explain this statement with examples.
Ans. We may quote here Vishnupurana defining India as “the country which lies to the north of the ocean and south of the snow covered mountains is called Bharatvarsa”. India stands apart from the rest of Asia marked off as it is, by mountains and the sea, giving it a distinct geographical entity. Eg. Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and India form the most natural geographical unit-referred to as the Indian sub-continent. In north, northeast and northwest there are young fold mountains, plateau in south, three seas (Indian sea, Arabian sea, Bay of Bengal sea), deserts and plains, islands etc. all exist. Weather and climate here also are diverse. There are several types of natural vegetation and species of wildlife, who flourish here. It appears aloof but more prosperous with natural resources than any other country of the world.
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.
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