Introduction:
India is a vast country that stretches from the Himalayas in the north to the Indian Ocean in the south. However, the north-south extent of India appears larger than the east-west extent, even though the north-south extent is actually smaller than the east-west extent by 16 degrees.

Factors affecting the perception of India's size:
Several factors contribute to the perception that India's north-south extent is larger than its east-west extent. These include:

- Latitude: India is located in the northern hemisphere, which means that its north-south extent is measured along the lines of latitude. The lines of latitude are spaced closer together at the poles than at the equator, which makes areas closer to the poles appear larger than they actually are.

- Map projection: The way that maps are projected can also affect the perception of India's size. Most maps use a rectangular or square grid, which distorts the size and shape of landmasses as they get further away from the equator. This distortion can make the north-south extent of India appear larger than it actually is.

- Perspective: Finally, the way that people perceive size can be influenced by their own perspective. For example, if someone is located in the northern part of India, they may feel that the country is longer from north to south than from east to west simply because that is the direction in which they travel most frequently.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, while the north-south extent of India may appear larger than its east-west extent, this is largely a matter of perception. The actual measurements of the country's size are not affected by these factors, and India remains a vast and diverse country regardless of how it is perceived.