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About Geography of India

About Geography of India

India is situated north of the equator between 8°4′ north (the mainland) to 37°6′ north latitude and 68°7′ east to 97°25′ east longitude. It is the seventh-largest country in the world, with a total area of 3,287,263 square kilometres (1,269,219 sq mi). India measures 3,214 km (1,997 mi) from north to south and 2,933 km (1,822 mi) from east to west. It has a land frontier of 15,200 km (9,445 mi) and a coastline of 7,516.6 km (4,671 mi).

On the south, India projects into and is bounded by the Indian Ocean—in particular, by the Arabian Sea on the west, the Lakshadweep Sea to the southwest, the Bay of Bengal on the east, and the Indian Ocean proper to the south. The Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar separate India from Sri Lanka immediately to the southeast, while the Maldives lie about 125 kilometres (78 miles) south of India’s Lakshadweep Islands across the Eight Degree Channel. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, about 1,200 kilometres (750 miles) southeast of the main continent, share maritime borders with Myanmar, Thailand and Indonesia. The extreme south point of the Indian mainland (8°4′38″N, 77°31′56″E) is just further south of Kanyakumari, and the southernmost point within the boundaries of India is Indira Point on Great Nicobar Island. The northernmost point administered by India is Indira Col, Siachen Glacier. The territorial waters of India extend 12 nautical miles (13.8 miles; 22.2 km) from the coast baseline. India has the world’s 18th largest Exclusive Economic Zone measuring 2,305,143 square kilometres (890,021 square miles).

AspectDetails
LocationSouth Asia, bordered by Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar
CoordinatesLatitude: 8°4’N to 37°6’N, Longitude: 68°7’E to 97°25’E
Total Area3.28 million sq. km (7th largest in the world)
BordersLand: 15,106 km, Coastline: 7,516 km
NeighborsPakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka (maritime)
Physiographic DivisionsDescription
Northern MountainsHimalayas (Trans, Great, Lesser, Shivaliks)
Northern PlainsAlluvial plains of Ganga, Indus, and Brahmaputra
Peninsular PlateauAncient landmass; rich in minerals
Coastal PlainsWestern (Konkan, Malabar), Eastern (Coromandel, Northern Circars)
IslandsAndaman & Nicobar (Bay of Bengal), Lakshadweep (Arabian Sea)
ClimateDetails
TypeTropical monsoon
SeasonsSummer, Monsoon, Post-Monsoon, Winter
Rainfall InfluencesSouthwest Monsoon (June-Sep), Northeast Monsoon (Oct-Dec)
Extreme ZonesArid (Rajasthan), Tropical Wet (Kerala), Temperate (Himalayas)
Rivers & LakesKey Details
Himalayan RiversGanga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra (Perennial)
Peninsular RiversGodavari, Krishna, Mahanadi, Cauvery (Seasonal)
Major LakesDal (J&K), Chilika (Odisha), Sambhar (Rajasthan), Vembanad (Kerala)
Natural ResourcesKey Highlights
MineralsCoal (Jharkhand), Iron (Odisha), Mica (Rajasthan)
Energy ResourcesHydropower, Solar, Wind, Nuclear
Forest Cover24.62% of total area (as per ISFR 2021)
BiodiversityDetails
Biodiversity HotspotsHimalayas, Western Ghats, Indo-Burma, Sundaland
National ParksKaziranga, Ranthambore, Jim Corbett and more
Key Wildlife Habitats in IndiaHimalayan Region: Home to snow leopards, Himalayan black bears, musk deer, and various bird species. Western Ghats: A biodiversity hotspot known for its unique flora and fauna, including tigers, elephants, and endemic species like the Nilgiri tahr. Central Indian Highlands: Dense forests supporting tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and a variety of ungulates. Eastern Himalayas: A region with diverse ecosystems, including dense forests, grasslands, and wetlands, inhabited by various primate species, elephants, and tigers. Thar Desert: A harsh environment supporting unique desert adaptations, with species like the Indian wolf, desert fox, and various reptiles. Coastal Regions: Mangrove forests, coral reefs, and marine ecosystems teeming with diverse marine life, including dolphins, whales, and sea turtles.
AgricultureDetails
Major Food CropsRice, Wheat, Millets
Major Cash CropsCotton, Sugarcane, Jute
Irrigation MethodsCanal, Tube Well, Rainfed
Unique FeaturesDetails
Longest Coastline~7,516 km
Highest PeakKangchenjunga (8,586 m)
Largest State (Area)Rajasthan
Smallest State (Area)Goa
Largest Union TerritoryLadakh
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