Why specifically 82.30E is taken as the standard meridian of India? ex...
The Earth has been divided into 24 time zones of one hour each. Each of these zones covers 15 degrees of longitude.
As the local time differs by 4 minutes at every longitude, it would create a lot of confusion regarding time for any country as a whole which may stretch across several longitudes.
Therefore each country selects a central meridian and the local time of this meridian is the standard time of that country.
The local times which lie on different meridians are bound to differ.
The sun rises two hours earlier in Arunachal Pradesh as compared to Gujarat.
This causes a time lag of 2 hrs from Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh to avoid confusion and to have a standard time for reference, The 82.30'Eastern Longitude has been taken as the standard time for the whole country.
The local time at this Meridian has been accepted as the Indian Standard Time (IST) throughout the country because it passes through the middle of the country.
It has helped to avoid a lot of confusion which would have been there by following different local times or in absence of a uniform time.
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Why specifically 82.30E is taken as the standard meridian of India? ex...
Introduction:
The standard meridian of a country is a specific longitude that is chosen as a reference point for mapping and timekeeping purposes. In the case of India, the standard meridian is located at 82.30E. This choice is based on several factors that take into account the geographical, historical, and administrative aspects of the country.
Reasons for choosing 82.30E as the standard meridian of India:
1. Geographical Considerations:
India is a vast country that spans a wide range of longitudes, from approximately 68.7E in the east to 97.25E in the west. Choosing a standard meridian closer to the center of the country ensures a more balanced representation of the entire territory. The 82.30E longitude is roughly the midpoint of India, providing a reasonable approximation of the central location.
2. Historical Significance:
The choice of 82.30E as the standard meridian also has historical significance. During the British colonial era, the Prime Meridian, which passes through Greenwich, London, was widely used as the reference point for global mapping and timekeeping. By selecting a standard meridian within India, the country asserted its independence and autonomy in determining its own geographical reference point.
3. Administrative Convenience:
The selection of a standard meridian is also driven by administrative convenience. By adopting a specific longitude as the reference point, it simplifies map-making, surveying, and other geospatial activities within the country. It provides a consistent framework for measuring distances, defining time zones, and coordinating various administrative tasks across different regions of India.
Conclusion:
In summary, the choice of 82.30E as the standard meridian of India is based on a combination of geographical considerations, historical significance, and administrative convenience. It allows for a balanced representation of the entire country, asserts India's independence in determining its own reference point, and provides a consistent framework for mapping and administrative purposes.
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