India is part of the continent of Asia. Most of India forms a peninsula, which means it is surrounded by water on three sides.
India is in Asia. It’s like a big piece of land with water on three sides. Up north, there are the tall mountains called the . The southeast is near the Bay of Bengal, and the southwest is close to the Arabian Sea.

Different parts of India look different. In the west, there’s a desert called the Thar Desert, and in the northeast, there are dense forests. The northern part has a fertile area called the Ganges Plain. This land became rich because of the soil carried by rivers from the Himalayas. In some spots, this soil layer goes really deep, more than 25,000 feet.

Location in Asia :-

India’s main part stretches between 8°4′ North and 37°6′ North latitudes and from 68°7′ East to 97°25′ East longitudes. That means it’s about 3,214 kilometers from north to south and 2,933 kilometers from east to west. India covers about 2.42% of the whole world’s land area.

India sits in the northern and eastern parts of the world. There’s an imaginary line called the Tropic of Cancer that goes right through the middle. That line separates India into two parts: North India above it and South India below it. Also, there’s another line called the Standard Meridian of India at 82°30′ East longitude, passing through the middle of the country.

India is the biggest country in South Asia, and it’s all surrounded by the ocean. It’s in a very important spot in the Indian Ocean. This location helps India to control sea routes that connect Europe, Africa, Southeast Asia, Far East Asia, and Oceania. Because of this, India has had good trade relationships with many countries for a really long time.

Size :-

India covers around 2.4% of the world’s total area, making it the 7th largest country globally.

• Its land boundary stretches about 15,200 km.
• The mainland coastline measures 7,516.6 km, including Andaman and Nicobar Islands as well as Lakshadweep.
• India is bordered by mountains in the northwest, north, and northeast. Below 22° north latitude, it narrows towards the Indian Ocean, splitting into the Arabian Sea to the west and the Bay of Bengal to the east.
• The Standard Meridian of India, passing through Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh, sets the standard time for the country
• India’s ancient civilization began 5,000 years ago along the Indus River, giving rise to advanced cities like Harappa and Mohenjo Daro. The Aryans arrived in 1500 B.C., introducing Sanskrit and the Vedic Scriptures.
• The Gupta Empire’s rule from the 4th century saw advancements in arts and sciences, including Aryabhatta’s heliocentric theory. Mongol rule between 1527 and 1707 brought cultural prosperity, featuring iconic structures like the Taj Mahal.
• European trade started in the late 1400s, leading to British control in 1757. Uprisings against British rule began in 1856, culminating in Mahatma Gandhi’s nonviolent protests and India’s independence in 1947.

India’s States And Territories :-

• Himachal Pradesh
• Jharkhand
• Karnataka
• Andhra Pradesh
• Arunachal Pradesh
• Assam
• Bihar
• Chhattisgarh
• Goa
• Gujarat
• Haryana
• Nagaland
• Orissa
• Punjab
• Rajasthan
• Sikkim
• Tamil Nadu
• Kerala
• Madhya Pradesh
• Maharashtra
• Manipur
• Meghalaya
• Mizoram
• Tripura
• Uttaranchal
• State of Uttar Pradesh
• Bengal, West Bengal
• Uttar Pradesh

The Union Territories encompass :-

• The islands of Andaman and Nicobar
• Dadra and Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu
• Chandigarh
• Lakshadweep
• Delhi
• Puducherry
• Jammu & Kashmir
• Ladakh

The neighboring countries of India :-

• Pakistan and Afghanistan in the northwest
• China (Tibet), Nepal and Bhutan in the north
• Myanmar and Bangladesh in the east.

Physical Features of India :-

India’s landscape reflects diverse geological histories:

• Northern Mountains: Young, with tall peaks, deep valleys, and swift rivers.
• Northern Plains: Recently formed from alluvial deposits.
• Peninsular Plateau: Ancient, stable, consisting of igneous and metamorphic rocks.
• Indian Desert: Part of the topographic variations.
• Coastal Plains and Islands: Unique geographical features.
• Gondwanaland’s breakup formed peninsular India, Madagascar, and more.
• The peninsular part was shaped by ancient igneous rocks turned into Gneiss and Schist during the Archean era.

Mountains Of India’s Hilly Areas :-

The Himalayas, along India’s northern borders, are one of the youngest and most folded mountain ranges globally. They formed when the Indian plate collided with the Eurasian plate.

The Himalayas, stretching from the Indus Gorge in the west to the Brahmaputra Gorge in the east, abruptly end with a sharp southward bend, known as the Syntaxial bends.

Here are some significant glaciers in the Himalayan Mountains along with their locations and lengths:–

• Siachen (Karakoram): 76 km
• Baltoro (Karakoram): 63 km
• Hispar (Karakoram): 61 km
• Biafo (Karakoram): 60 km
• Batura (Karakoram): 58 km
• Chogo Lungma (Karakoram): 50 km
• Khurdopin (Karakoram): 41 km
• Rimo (Kashmir): 40 km
• Punmah (Karakoram): 27 km
• Rundun (Kashmir): 19 km
• Gangotri (Uttarakhand): 26 km
• Kedarnath (Uttarakhand): 14 km
• Zemu (Sikkim/Nepal): 25 km
• Milam (Uttarakhand): 19 km
• Kanchenjunga (Sikkim/Nepal): 16 km

Additionally, Karewa are lacustrine deposits found on the slopes of PirPanjal in Jammu & Kashmir, consisting of glacial clay and other materials embedded with moraines.

Physical Geography :-

India is generally categorized into regions according to its physical characteristics.

1. The Himalayas (The great mountain of the north)
2. The Northern Plains
3. The Peninsular Plateau
4. Coastal Plains
5. The Thar Desert
6. Islands

Major Mountain Ranges in India :-

The Himalayan Range: World’s highest mountain range, home to Mt. Everest, termed ‘Abode of snow’, origin of major rivers, acts as a barrier against cold winds.

Purvanchal or Patkai Range: Extension of Himalayas, covering eastern states, includes Patkai-Bum hills, Garo-Khasi-Jaintia, Lushai or Mizo hills.

Karakoram and PirPanjal Range: Located in Jammu and Kashmir, home to K2 and other peaks, a disputed area between India and Pakistan.

Shivalik Hills: Known as ‘tresses of Shiva’, extends from Arunachal Pradesh to West Bengal and from Kashmir to Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.

Satpura and Vindhya Range: Run parallel, spread across Central India, separating Northern and Southern India, hosting famous spots like Panchmarhi Hill Station and Kanha National Park.

Aravalli mountain range.:-
India’s ancient range spans across Rajasthan, Delhi, and Haryana, with Mount Abu’s highest peak known as Doyen Shikhar.

Western Ghats: Known as Sahyadri Mountains, parallel to the western coast, running from Gujarat to Kanyakumari, comprising Nilgiris, Anaimalai, and Cardomom mountains.

Eastern Ghats: Discontinuous range along the eastern coast, parallel to Bay of Bengal, fostering fertile regions suitable for crops, hosting cities like Vishakhapatnam and Bhubaneswar

Climate :-

India exhibits diverse climates, ranging from arid deserts in the West to alpine conditions in the Himalayan North, alongside humid tropical regions supporting island territories and rainforests in the southwest.

The climate is influenced by the Thar Desert and the Himalayas, resulting in extreme summers and winters in the northern areas, with temperatures ranging from freezing points to as high as 45°C in some states during summer and as low as 15°C in winter. India experiences four distinct seasons: winter, summer, monsoon, and post-monsoon. The average winter temperature is around 10-15°C. Alwar, Rajasthan, holds the record for the highest temperature recorded in India at 50.6°C, while Kashmir registered the lowest temperature at -45°C.

A map delineates international boundaries in pink lines, state boundaries in grey dotted lines, and major rivers in blue lines, aiding in locating these diverse climatic regions and geographical features.

conclusion :-

Indian geography encapsulates a tapestry of diverse terrains, climates, and ecosystems that paint a vivid portrait of its natural splendor. From the soaring peaks of the Himalayas to the sun-kissed shores of its peninsular coasts, from the arid expanses of the Thar Desert to the lush greenery of its rainforests, India’s landscape is a testament to nature’s boundless creativity. The intertwining rivers, the varied climates, and the rich biodiversity all come together to weave a story of resilience and beauty. Beyond serving as a canvas for breathtaking landscapes, India’s geography shapes its cultural, economic, and social tapestry, fostering a deep connection between its people and the land they inhabit. In essence, Indian geography stands as a testament to the awe-inspiring diversity and the enduring harmony between nature and civilization.

Read also :- Geography of India