India is centrally located in the Asian continent, between its eastern and western regions. It forms the southernmost part of Asia, stretching from the northern tip of Kashmir to the southern end of Kanyakumari, and from Arunachal Pradesh in the east to Gujarat in the west.
In addition to its landmass, India’s territorial waters extend up to 12 nautical miles (approximately 22 kilometers) from its coastline into the sea.
This overview of India’s size and location is important for understanding its geography, especially for students preparing for competitive exams like SSC and RRB NTPC.
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Geographical Location of India
- India’s mainland is located between latitudes 8°4′ N and 37°6′ N, and longitudes 68°7′ E and 97°25′ E.
- The country stretches 3,214 km from north to south and 2,933 km from east to west.
- Geographically, India is completely in the northern and eastern hemispheres.
- The Tropic of Cancer (23°30′ N) runs almost through the center of India, dividing the country into two parts:
- North India lies above the Tropic of Cancer.
- South India lies below the Tropic of Cancer.
- The Indian Standard Meridian (82°30′ E) runs near the center of the country and is used to set Indian Standard Time (IST).

Size of India
- India is the seventh-largest country in the world by land area, covering 3.28 million square kilometers.
- The country has a land boundary of 15,200 km and a coastline, including its islands, that stretches for 7,516 km.
- India occupies just 2.4% of the Earth’s surface but is rich in geographic diversity.
- The young fold mountains form the northern, northwestern, and northeastern borders of India.
- The country’s east-west and north-south stretches are about 3,000 kilometers each, with the north-south distance being slightly longer.
- There is a time difference of nearly two hours between the easternmost point in Arunachal Pradesh and the westernmost point in Gujarat.
- Despite this time difference, India uses a single time zone, Indian Standard Time (IST), which is based on the longitude 82.30° E, passing through Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh.

India and the world
- India is centrally located between East and West Asia, acting as a bridge between these regions.
- Its geographic position makes India a crucial point for trade, cultural exchanges, and historical interactions across Asia.
- The landmass of India extends southward from the Asian continent, marking the southernmost tip of mainland Asia.
- This unique location enhances India’s significance in global trade and its influence on Asian culture and history.
- The Tropic of Cancer plays a key role in shaping India’s climate and geography.

India’s Size and Location In a Nutshell
Here’s an overview table summarizing the size and location of India:
Aspect | Details |
---|---|
Geographical Coordinates | Latitudes: 8°4′ N to 37°6′ N<br>Longitudes: 68°7′ E to 97°25′ E |
Hemispheres | Northern and Eastern Hemispheres |
Tropic of Cancer | 23°30′ N (divides the country into almost two halves) |
Indian Standard Meridian | 82°30′ E (runs through Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh) |
North-South Extent | 3,214 km |
East-West Extent | 2,933 km |
Total Area | 3.28 million square kilometers (7th largest in the world) |
Land Boundary | 15,200 km |
Coastal Boundary | 7,516 km (including islands) |
Percentage of World Land Area | 2.4% |
Time Difference | 2 hours between Gujarat and Arunachal Pradesh |
Natural Features | Young fold mountains in the north, northwest, and northeast |
Territorial Waters | Extends up to 12 nautical miles (21.9 km) from the coast |
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