CH-1 | Locational Setting of India

Comparison with china and Australia

Country	Area (km2)	Global Position	Latitudinal extent	Longitudinal extent	Water Bodies	North-South extension (km)	East-West extension (km)	Other Features
India	32,87,263 (2.4%)	7th	8°4’ N – 37°6’ N (30°)	68°7’ E – 97°25’ E (30°)	East – Bay of Bengal West – Arabian Sea South – Indian Ocean	3214	2933	Divided into half by Tropic of Cancer (23°50’ N)
Australia	76,86,848	6th	10°S – 44°S (34°)	114°E – 154°E (40°)	North-east & South – Indian Ocean West – South Pacific ocean	3219	4023	Divided into half by Tropic of Capricorn (23°50’ S)
	2.3 times		Roughly same	30% more
China	95.97 lakhs	3rd	18°N – 54°N (36°)	74°E – 135°E (61°)	East – Pacific ocean
	3 times		Roughly same	More than double

Importance of the Indian Ocean

1.       India lies at the apex of the arc formed by the Indian Ocean and thus has a commanding position.

2.       It has the largest coast-line in the Indian Ocean among the littoral countries and therefore has the maximum number of ports.

3.       The Deccan Peninsula projects into the Indian Ocean. India has access to the west and east, Indian ports get entrepot character.

4.       India has the greatest latitudinal extent among the littoral countries. Hence, it is diversified with climate and agricultural diversity.

5.       Most of the air, sea routes between Europe, West Asia, and Africa in the west; and East Asia, South East Asia, Japan and Australia, in the east pass through India.

India as a subcontinent

A landmass is named a subcontinent if it is geographically and politically distanced from the rest of the continent.  India is separated from the rest of Asia by the chain of lofty mountains, Himalayas, in the north; Indian Ocean in the south; Arabian Sea in the west; and Bay of Bengal in the east. Owing to the varied relief, India experiences topical monsoon climate, giving it a distinctive climatic pattern as compared to its neighbours. Hence, due to the vastness and diversity in culture and relief, India is considered a subcontinent.