NCERT Textbook: Our Country-India | Geography for UPSC CSE PDF Download

 Page 1


6
6
OUR COUNTRY – INDIA
India is a country of vast geographical expanse. In the
north, it is bound by the lofty Himalayas. The Arabian
Sea in the west, the Bay of Bengal in the east and the
Indian Ocean in the south, wash the shores of the
Indian peninsula.
India has an area of about 3.28 million sq. km. The
north-south extent from Ladakh to Kanyakumari is
about 3,200 km. And the east-west extent from
Arunachal Pradesh to Kuchchh is about 2,900 km.
The lofty mountains, the Great Indian Desert, the
Northern Plains, the uneven plateau surface and the
coasts and islands present a diversity of landforms.
There is a great variety in the climate, vegetation,
wildlife as well as in the language and culture. In this
diversity, we find unity that is reflected in traditions
that bind us as one nation. India has a population of
more than one hundred twenty crores since the
year 2011. It is the second most populous country of
the world after China.
LOCATIONAL SETTING
India is located in the northern hemisphere. The Tropic
of Cancer (23
o
30
'
N) passes almost halfway through
the country (Figure 6.2). From south to north, main
land of India extends between 8
o
4
'
N and 37
o
6
'
N
latitudes. From west to east, India extends between
68
o
7
'
E and 97
o
25
'
E longitudes. If we divide the world
into eastern and western hemispheres, which
hemisphere would India belong to? Due to great
longitudinal extent of about 29
o
, there could be a wide
differences in local time of places located at two extreme
points of India. As such, the difference between these two
The peninsula is a piece
of land that is
surrounded by water on
three sides.
Do you know?
Large countries
which stretch
extensively from
east to west do not have
a single Standard Time
for the whole country.
The USA and Canada
have seven and six time
zones respectively. Do you
remember how many
time zones are there in
Russia?
Rationalised 2023-24
Page 2


6
6
OUR COUNTRY – INDIA
India is a country of vast geographical expanse. In the
north, it is bound by the lofty Himalayas. The Arabian
Sea in the west, the Bay of Bengal in the east and the
Indian Ocean in the south, wash the shores of the
Indian peninsula.
India has an area of about 3.28 million sq. km. The
north-south extent from Ladakh to Kanyakumari is
about 3,200 km. And the east-west extent from
Arunachal Pradesh to Kuchchh is about 2,900 km.
The lofty mountains, the Great Indian Desert, the
Northern Plains, the uneven plateau surface and the
coasts and islands present a diversity of landforms.
There is a great variety in the climate, vegetation,
wildlife as well as in the language and culture. In this
diversity, we find unity that is reflected in traditions
that bind us as one nation. India has a population of
more than one hundred twenty crores since the
year 2011. It is the second most populous country of
the world after China.
LOCATIONAL SETTING
India is located in the northern hemisphere. The Tropic
of Cancer (23
o
30
'
N) passes almost halfway through
the country (Figure 6.2). From south to north, main
land of India extends between 8
o
4
'
N and 37
o
6
'
N
latitudes. From west to east, India extends between
68
o
7
'
E and 97
o
25
'
E longitudes. If we divide the world
into eastern and western hemispheres, which
hemisphere would India belong to? Due to great
longitudinal extent of about 29
o
, there could be a wide
differences in local time of places located at two extreme
points of India. As such, the difference between these two
The peninsula is a piece
of land that is
surrounded by water on
three sides.
Do you know?
Large countries
which stretch
extensively from
east to west do not have
a single Standard Time
for the whole country.
The USA and Canada
have seven and six time
zones respectively. Do you
remember how many
time zones are there in
Russia?
Rationalised 2023-24
40
THE EARTH : OUR HABITAT
Figure 6.1 : India and its neighbouring countries
points would be of about two hours. As you have learnt earlier, the local time
changes by four minutes for every one degree of longitude. The sun rises about
two hours earlier in the east (Arunachal Pradesh) than in the west (Gujarat). You
have already read earlier, why the local time of longitude of 82
o
30
'
E has been
taken as the Indian Standard Time. This meridian or longitude is also termed as
the Standard Meridian of India.
INDIA’S NEIGHBOURS
There are seven countries that share land boundaries with India. Find out names
Rationalised 2023-24
Page 3


6
6
OUR COUNTRY – INDIA
India is a country of vast geographical expanse. In the
north, it is bound by the lofty Himalayas. The Arabian
Sea in the west, the Bay of Bengal in the east and the
Indian Ocean in the south, wash the shores of the
Indian peninsula.
India has an area of about 3.28 million sq. km. The
north-south extent from Ladakh to Kanyakumari is
about 3,200 km. And the east-west extent from
Arunachal Pradesh to Kuchchh is about 2,900 km.
The lofty mountains, the Great Indian Desert, the
Northern Plains, the uneven plateau surface and the
coasts and islands present a diversity of landforms.
There is a great variety in the climate, vegetation,
wildlife as well as in the language and culture. In this
diversity, we find unity that is reflected in traditions
that bind us as one nation. India has a population of
more than one hundred twenty crores since the
year 2011. It is the second most populous country of
the world after China.
LOCATIONAL SETTING
India is located in the northern hemisphere. The Tropic
of Cancer (23
o
30
'
N) passes almost halfway through
the country (Figure 6.2). From south to north, main
land of India extends between 8
o
4
'
N and 37
o
6
'
N
latitudes. From west to east, India extends between
68
o
7
'
E and 97
o
25
'
E longitudes. If we divide the world
into eastern and western hemispheres, which
hemisphere would India belong to? Due to great
longitudinal extent of about 29
o
, there could be a wide
differences in local time of places located at two extreme
points of India. As such, the difference between these two
The peninsula is a piece
of land that is
surrounded by water on
three sides.
Do you know?
Large countries
which stretch
extensively from
east to west do not have
a single Standard Time
for the whole country.
The USA and Canada
have seven and six time
zones respectively. Do you
remember how many
time zones are there in
Russia?
Rationalised 2023-24
40
THE EARTH : OUR HABITAT
Figure 6.1 : India and its neighbouring countries
points would be of about two hours. As you have learnt earlier, the local time
changes by four minutes for every one degree of longitude. The sun rises about
two hours earlier in the east (Arunachal Pradesh) than in the west (Gujarat). You
have already read earlier, why the local time of longitude of 82
o
30
'
E has been
taken as the Indian Standard Time. This meridian or longitude is also termed as
the Standard Meridian of India.
INDIA’S NEIGHBOURS
There are seven countries that share land boundaries with India. Find out names
Rationalised 2023-24
41
OUR COUNTRY – INDIA
Figure 6.2 : Political map of India
Rationalised 2023-24
Page 4


6
6
OUR COUNTRY – INDIA
India is a country of vast geographical expanse. In the
north, it is bound by the lofty Himalayas. The Arabian
Sea in the west, the Bay of Bengal in the east and the
Indian Ocean in the south, wash the shores of the
Indian peninsula.
India has an area of about 3.28 million sq. km. The
north-south extent from Ladakh to Kanyakumari is
about 3,200 km. And the east-west extent from
Arunachal Pradesh to Kuchchh is about 2,900 km.
The lofty mountains, the Great Indian Desert, the
Northern Plains, the uneven plateau surface and the
coasts and islands present a diversity of landforms.
There is a great variety in the climate, vegetation,
wildlife as well as in the language and culture. In this
diversity, we find unity that is reflected in traditions
that bind us as one nation. India has a population of
more than one hundred twenty crores since the
year 2011. It is the second most populous country of
the world after China.
LOCATIONAL SETTING
India is located in the northern hemisphere. The Tropic
of Cancer (23
o
30
'
N) passes almost halfway through
the country (Figure 6.2). From south to north, main
land of India extends between 8
o
4
'
N and 37
o
6
'
N
latitudes. From west to east, India extends between
68
o
7
'
E and 97
o
25
'
E longitudes. If we divide the world
into eastern and western hemispheres, which
hemisphere would India belong to? Due to great
longitudinal extent of about 29
o
, there could be a wide
differences in local time of places located at two extreme
points of India. As such, the difference between these two
The peninsula is a piece
of land that is
surrounded by water on
three sides.
Do you know?
Large countries
which stretch
extensively from
east to west do not have
a single Standard Time
for the whole country.
The USA and Canada
have seven and six time
zones respectively. Do you
remember how many
time zones are there in
Russia?
Rationalised 2023-24
40
THE EARTH : OUR HABITAT
Figure 6.1 : India and its neighbouring countries
points would be of about two hours. As you have learnt earlier, the local time
changes by four minutes for every one degree of longitude. The sun rises about
two hours earlier in the east (Arunachal Pradesh) than in the west (Gujarat). You
have already read earlier, why the local time of longitude of 82
o
30
'
E has been
taken as the Indian Standard Time. This meridian or longitude is also termed as
the Standard Meridian of India.
INDIA’S NEIGHBOURS
There are seven countries that share land boundaries with India. Find out names
Rationalised 2023-24
41
OUR COUNTRY – INDIA
Figure 6.2 : Political map of India
Rationalised 2023-24
42
THE EARTH : OUR HABITAT
Figure 6.3 : India : Physical Divisions
of these countries from the Figure 6.1. How many of these countries do not have
access to any ocean or sea? Across the sea to the south, lie our island neighbours—
Sri Lanka and Maldives. Sri Lanka is separated from India by the Palk Strait.
POLITICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS
India is a vast country. For administrative purposes, the country is divided into 28
Rationalised 2023-24
Page 5


6
6
OUR COUNTRY – INDIA
India is a country of vast geographical expanse. In the
north, it is bound by the lofty Himalayas. The Arabian
Sea in the west, the Bay of Bengal in the east and the
Indian Ocean in the south, wash the shores of the
Indian peninsula.
India has an area of about 3.28 million sq. km. The
north-south extent from Ladakh to Kanyakumari is
about 3,200 km. And the east-west extent from
Arunachal Pradesh to Kuchchh is about 2,900 km.
The lofty mountains, the Great Indian Desert, the
Northern Plains, the uneven plateau surface and the
coasts and islands present a diversity of landforms.
There is a great variety in the climate, vegetation,
wildlife as well as in the language and culture. In this
diversity, we find unity that is reflected in traditions
that bind us as one nation. India has a population of
more than one hundred twenty crores since the
year 2011. It is the second most populous country of
the world after China.
LOCATIONAL SETTING
India is located in the northern hemisphere. The Tropic
of Cancer (23
o
30
'
N) passes almost halfway through
the country (Figure 6.2). From south to north, main
land of India extends between 8
o
4
'
N and 37
o
6
'
N
latitudes. From west to east, India extends between
68
o
7
'
E and 97
o
25
'
E longitudes. If we divide the world
into eastern and western hemispheres, which
hemisphere would India belong to? Due to great
longitudinal extent of about 29
o
, there could be a wide
differences in local time of places located at two extreme
points of India. As such, the difference between these two
The peninsula is a piece
of land that is
surrounded by water on
three sides.
Do you know?
Large countries
which stretch
extensively from
east to west do not have
a single Standard Time
for the whole country.
The USA and Canada
have seven and six time
zones respectively. Do you
remember how many
time zones are there in
Russia?
Rationalised 2023-24
40
THE EARTH : OUR HABITAT
Figure 6.1 : India and its neighbouring countries
points would be of about two hours. As you have learnt earlier, the local time
changes by four minutes for every one degree of longitude. The sun rises about
two hours earlier in the east (Arunachal Pradesh) than in the west (Gujarat). You
have already read earlier, why the local time of longitude of 82
o
30
'
E has been
taken as the Indian Standard Time. This meridian or longitude is also termed as
the Standard Meridian of India.
INDIA’S NEIGHBOURS
There are seven countries that share land boundaries with India. Find out names
Rationalised 2023-24
41
OUR COUNTRY – INDIA
Figure 6.2 : Political map of India
Rationalised 2023-24
42
THE EARTH : OUR HABITAT
Figure 6.3 : India : Physical Divisions
of these countries from the Figure 6.1. How many of these countries do not have
access to any ocean or sea? Across the sea to the south, lie our island neighbours—
Sri Lanka and Maldives. Sri Lanka is separated from India by the Palk Strait.
POLITICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS
India is a vast country. For administrative purposes, the country is divided into 28
Rationalised 2023-24
43
OUR COUNTRY – INDIA
States and 8 Union Territories (Appendix-I). Delhi is
the national capital. The states have been formed
mainly on the basis of languages.
PHYSICAL DIVISIONS
India is marked by a diversity of physical features such
as mountains, plateaus, plains, coasts and islands.
Standing as sentinels in the north are the lofty snow-
capped Himalayas. Him+alaya mean ‘the abode of
snow’. The Himalayan mountains are divided into three
main parallel ranges. The northernmost is the Great
Himalaya or Himadri. The world’s highest peaks are
located in this range. Middle Himalaya or Himachal
lies to the south of Himadri. Many popular hill stations
are situated here. Find out the names of five hill
stations. The Shiwalik is the southernmost range.
The Northern Indian plains lie to the south of the
Himalayas. They are generally level and flat. These
are formed by the alluvial deposits laid down by the
rivers– the Indus, the Ganga, the Brahmaputra and
their tributaries. These river plains  provide fertile land
for cultivation. That is the reason for high
concentration of population in these plains.
In the western part of India lies the Great Indian
desert. It is a dry, hot and sandy stretch of land. It
has very little vegetation.
To the south of northern plains lies the Peninsular
plateau. It is triangular in shape. The relief is highly
uneven. This is a region with numerous hill ranges
and valleys. Aravali hills, one of the oldest ranges of
the world, border it on the north-west side. The
Vindhyas and the Satpuras are the important ranges.
The rivers Narmada and Tapi flow through these
ranges. These are west-flowing rivers that drain into
the Arabian Sea. The Western Ghats or Sahyadris
border the plateau in the west and the Eastern Ghats
provide the eastern boundary. While the Western Ghats
are almost continuous, the Eastern Ghats are broken
and uneven (Figure 6.3). The plateau is rich in minerals
like coal and iron-ore.
To the West of the Western Ghats and the East of
Eastern Ghats lie the Coastal plains. The western
Alluvial deposits : These
are very fine soils,
brought by rivers and
deposited in the river
basins.
Tributary : A river or
stream which contributes
its water to a main river
by discharging it into
main river from either
side.
Let’s Do
Many girls
are named
after rivers
eg. Yamuna, Mandakini,
and Kaveri. Do you know
anyone in your locality
who is named after a
river? Ask your parents
and others and make a
list of such names.
Could you also find
other names related to
water e.g. Shabnam?
Do you know?
The Ganga and
the Brahma-
putra form the
world’s largest delta, the
Sundarbans delta. The
delta is triangular in
shape. It is an area of
land formed at the mouth
of the river (Where rivers
enter the sea, that point
is called the mouth of the
river.
Rationalised 2023-24