India's geographical area is approximately 3.28 million square kilometres, making it the seventh-largest country in the world. This topic covers India's total area, geographical extent, landmass, neighbouring countries and important facts frequently asked in UPSC, State PCS, SSC and other competitive examinations.
Which of the following statements are true about India? Use the code given below to select the correct answer:
India is the fifth largest country of the world.
It occupies about 2.4 percent of the total area of the lithosphere.
Whole of India lies in the tropic zone.
82°30' east longitude is used to determine Indian Standard Time.
Code:
Correct Answer:
(D)
2 and 4
India is the seventh largest country after Russia, Canada, USA, China, Brazil and Australia respectively by area and the second largest by population. It occupies about 2.4 percent of the total area of the lithosphere. The mainland of India extends between 8º4’ North to 37º6’ North latitudes, while the tropical zone is stretched between 23º 30' north and south latitudes. Therefore statement 1 & 3 is incorrect. The latitudinal extension of the whole of India (including Andaman & Nicobar Island) lies between 6º45' to 37º 6' North latitudes. 82º 30' East longitude is used to determine Indian Standard Time.
Ques: 2
Which of the following pair is not correctly matched?
Correct Answer:
(D)
Number of states in India - 26
The total area of India is 3.28 million sq. km. Its latitudinal extent is 8°4' N – 37°6' N and longitudinal extent is 68°7' E – 97°25' E. There are 28 states and 8 union territories in India.
Ques: 3
Area of India is 2.4% of the total area of the world but its–
Correct Answer:
(B) population is 17% of world population
As per Census 2011, area of India is 3,287,469 square km. which is approximately 2.4% of the total land area of the world, whereas its total population is 1210.19 million which is 17.5% (17.78% as on 2025) of the total population of the world. Hence, option (b) is the closest answer.
Ques: 4
Which of the following statements about India is incorrect?
Correct Answer:
(D)
The earliest sunrise is seen in its Mizoram State.
In 1999, it was learnt that 'Dong' (a village in Arunachal Pradesh) not Katchal island in the Andaman as was widely believed experiences earliest sunrise in the world. Dong is also the eastern most village in India's geography.
Note: The Republic of Kiribati is one of the first places on Earth to see the sun rise. Kiribati is located just west of the International Date Line, and its time zone is 14 hours ahead of UTC.
Ques: 5
Which one of the following places in India is nearest to the Tropic of Cancer?
Correct Answer:
(B) Aizawl
Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram in India, is very close to the Tropic of Cancer. This imaginary line is a parallel of latitude at 23.5 degrees North of the Equator.