Location and Extent of India
To tell our home address we give village, taluka and district. To tell a country’s address we use latitude, longitude, hemisphere and neighbouring countries.
Location of a country means where it is on the Earth, and extent means how far it spreads north-south and east-west, told in degrees of latitude and longitude.
Key idea 1 : Location of India — India lies in the northern and eastern hemispheres of the Earth. It is in the southern part of the continent of Asia. The Tropic of Cancer passes almost through the middle of the country; so half of India falls in the tropical zone and half in the subtropical zone. The Himalayas lie in the north, the Indian Ocean in the south, the Arabian Sea in the west and the Bay of Bengal in the east.
Key idea 2 : Extent of India — The extent of mainland India is about 8°4′ N to 37°6′ N latitude and 68°7′ E to 97°25′ E longitude. So both latitudinal and longitudinal extent are about 29–30 degrees. The southernmost tip of India is Indira Point; it lies on Great Nicobar Island at about 6°45′ N.
Key idea 3 : Neighbouring countries and water bodies — In the east Myanmar and Bangladesh; in the north China, Nepal and Bhutan; in the west and north-west Pakistan and Afghanistan; in the south Sri Lanka (across the sea, beyond the Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar). The peninsular part of India is triangular and surrounded by sea on both sides; so the southern part is called a peninsula.
- Easy : Where does the Tropic of Cancer pass in India? — Almost through the middle.
- Medium : Southernmost tip of India? — Indira Point.
- Exam-type : Two eastern neighbours of India? — Myanmar and Bangladesh.
In the figure: Main points of India’s location.
Mainland India lies between 8°4′ N to 37°6′ N and 68°7′ E to 97°25′ E; area about 3,287,263 sq km (7th in the world) (as per several sources; the book leaves blanks to fill; check with the book).
India’s Standard Meridian is 82°30′ E and there is a time lag of about two hours between Gujarat and Arunachal Pradesh (as per several sources; check with the book).
North-East, Cancer middle, Indira south.
India’s southernmost tip is not Kanyakumari; Kanyakumari is the tip of the mainland but the southernmost point of India is Indira Point.
Memory clue: India = north-east hemispheres + Tropic of Cancer in middle. Memory clue: "Cancer in middle, Indira at bottom".
Spot the difference
| Direction | Neighbour/sea | Example |
|---|---|---|
| North | China, Nepal, Bhutan | Himalayas |
| East | Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bay of Bengal | Ganga delta |
| West | Pakistan, Afghanistan, Arabian Sea | Thar desert |
Practice questions
- 1State the location and extent of India.
- 2Which is the southernmost tip of India?
- 3List the neighbouring countries of India direction-wise.
- 4State the position of the Tropic of Cancer in India.
- 5Why is the southern part of India called a peninsula?
- 6Which is India’s Standard Meridian?
- 7What are India’s latitudinal and longitudinal extents?
- 8Show India, neighbouring countries and seas on a map.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1In north-east hemispheres, south of Asia; 8°4′ N to 37°6′ N, 68°7′ E to 97°25′ E.
- 2Indira Point.
- 3North: China, Nepal, Bhutan; East: Myanmar, Bangladesh; West: Pakistan, Afghanistan.
- 4Passes almost through the middle of the country.
- 5As a triangular part surrounded by sea on three sides.
- 682°30′ E.
- 7Both about 29–30 degrees.
- 8Student shows on the map.
Location and Extent of Brazil
While telling an address on the globe sometimes a place is in one hemisphere and sometimes in both. Brazil is a country crossed by the equator, so its address is a little different.
Brazil is a vast country in the northern-central part of the continent of South America and most of it lies in the southern and western hemispheres.
Key idea 1 : Location of Brazil — A small part of Brazil lies in the northern hemisphere and most of it in the southern hemisphere. It lies in the western hemisphere in the northern part of South America. The equator passes through the northern part and the Tropic of Capricorn through the southern part; so a large part of Brazil is in the tropical zone. The Atlantic Ocean lies to the east.
Key idea 2 : Extent of Brazil — The extent of mainland Brazil is about 5°15′ N to 33°45′ S latitude and 34°47′ W to 73°48′ W longitude (as per the textbook). So both latitudinal and longitudinal extents are about 39 degrees; more than India. The area of Brazil is about 8.5 million sq km; about two and a half times that of India.
Key idea 3 : Neighbouring countries — Brazil borders most countries of South America: in the north Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana; in the west Colombia and Peru; in the south-west Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina; in the south Uruguay. Chile and Ecuador do not share a border with Brazil. In the east there is a long coastline of the Atlantic Ocean.
- Easy : Through which part of Brazil does the equator pass? — Northern part.
- Medium : Most of Brazil is in which hemisphere? — Southern and western.
- Exam-type : Countries not bordering Brazil? — Chile and Ecuador.
In the figure: Main points of Brazil’s location.
Brazil’s extent is measured as 5°16′ N to 33°45′ S and 34°47′ W to 73°59′ W; the book’s figures differ slightly (5°15′ N, 73°48′ W) (as per several sources; check with the book).
Of South America’s other countries Brazil borders all except Chile and Ecuador; Brazil is 5th in the world by area (as per several sources; check with the book).
Equator north, Capricorn south.
Brazil is not only in the southern hemisphere; a small part is in the northern hemisphere too.
Memory clue: Brazil = south + west hemisphere, equator in north. Memory clue: "Brazil’s head is on the equator".
Spot the difference
| Point | India | Brazil |
|---|---|---|
| Hemisphere | Northern and eastern | Mostly southern and western |
| Line | Tropic of Cancer in middle | Equator and Tropic of Capricorn |
| Extent | About 30° | About 39° |
Practice questions
- 1State the location and extent of Brazil.
- 2Which lines pass through Brazil?
- 3List neighbouring countries of Brazil.
- 4In which zone is most of Brazil?
- 5Which ocean borders Brazil?
- 6What is the relation of Chile and Ecuador with Brazil?
- 7Compare the hemispheres of India and Brazil.
- 8Colour both countries in different colours on a world map.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1In northern-central South America; mostly south-west hemispheres.
- 2Equator and Tropic of Capricorn.
- 3Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay etc.
- 4In the tropical zone.
- 5Atlantic Ocean.
- 6They do not border Brazil.
- 7India north-east; Brazil mostly south-west.
- 8Student colours the map.
Historical Background of India and Brazil
Knowing the history of a house explains why the present situation is so. The same is true of a country; history affects today’s economy and society.
Both countries were under foreign rule for a long time and have been working for development after independence; this is the main point of their historical background.
Key idea 1 : Background of India — India was under British rule for about one and a half centuries and became independent in 1947. After independence it faced difficulties such as three wars and famines, yet India is a major developing country of the world. Economic reforms from time to time speeded up development and India is considered a large global market. Because the proportion of youth in India’s population is high, India is called a young country.
Key idea 2 : Background of Brazil — Brazil was under Portuguese rule for more than three centuries and became independent in 1822. As per the textbook, in the more than half a century from 1930 to 1985 there was a populist military government. Brazil has overcome global financial difficulties of the late twentieth century and is seen as a contributor to global economic growth and an important future market.
Key idea 3 : Independence Day and system of government — India celebrates Independence Day on 15 August and Brazil on 7 September. India has a federal parliamentary republic system, while Brazil has a federal presidential republic system. The name ‘Brazil’ comes from ‘Pau Brasil’, a local wood tree. The power that ruled Brazil also conquered a part of India; it is worth finding out which part it was and when it became independent.
- Easy : Under whose rule was India? — British (about one and a half centuries).
- Medium : When did Brazil become independent? — 1822.
- Exam-type : Why is India called a young country? — High proportion of youth.
In the figure: Stages of history of both countries.
Brazil declared independence from Portugal on 7 September 1822; Portugal recognised it in 1825 (as per several sources; check with the book).
1822 Brazil, 1947 India.
India and Brazil were not under the same power; India was under the British and Brazil under the Portuguese.
Memory clue: Both: foreign rule → independence → development. Memory clue: "22 Brazil, 47 India".
Spot the difference
| Point | India | Brazil |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign power | British | Portuguese |
| Independence | 15 August 1947 | 7 September 1822 |
| Government | Federal parliamentary republic | Federal presidential republic |
Practice questions
- 1Write the historical background of India.
- 2Write the historical background of Brazil.
- 3What problems did India face after independence?
- 4State the difference in the systems of government of both countries.
- 5Why is India called a young country?
- 6State the origin of the name ‘Brazil’.
- 7Find which part of India was conquered by the power that ruled Brazil.
- 8Compare the post-independence journey of India and Brazil.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1About 150 years of British rule, 1947 independence, today developing country and large market.
- 2Three centuries of Portuguese rule, 1822 independence, overcame financial difficulties.
- 3Three wars, famines and other problems.
- 4India federal parliamentary; Brazil federal presidential.
- 5High proportion of youth (working age) in population.
- 6From the local wood tree ‘Pau Brasil’.
- 7The Portuguese held parts like Goa, Daman-Diu, Dadra-Nagar Haveli; students find on their own.
- 8Student compares both countries.
Comparing India and Brazil
To compare two farms we see size, soil and water. To compare two countries too we must see size, location and features.
Comparing two countries means finding similarities and differences in area, location, extent, hemisphere, government and other features.
Key idea 1 : Size and extent — Brazil is larger than India in area. Brazil’s latitudinal extent (about 39°) is more than India’s (about 29–30°) and its longitudinal extent is also more. So Brazil can have greater climatic variety from equatorial to subtropical.
Key idea 2 : Difference in location — India lies in the northern and eastern hemispheres south of Asia; Brazil mostly in the southern and western hemispheres in northern-central South America. The Tropic of Cancer passes through India; the equator and Tropic of Capricorn through Brazil. South of India is the Indian Ocean with the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal on the two sides; east of Brazil is the Atlantic Ocean.
Key idea 3 : Chart of similarities and differences — Similarities: both countries are large, both were under foreign rule for a long time, both are federal republics and both are emerging large markets. Differences: area, hemisphere, continent, year of independence, type of government (parliamentary and presidential) and number of states. Practise such comparison using a map.
- Easy : Which country is larger in size? — Brazil.
- Medium : Which has larger latitudinal extent? — Brazil.
- Exam-type : Whose government is presidential? — Brazil’s.
In the figure: Points of comparison of both countries.
At present India has 28 states and 8 union territories; Brazil has 26 states and 1 federal district (as per several sources; numbers can change; check with the book).
Si-Ex-He-Go.
Both being tropical does not make them the same; location, size and hemisphere differ.
Memory clue: Comparison = size + extent + hemisphere + government. Memory clue: "Si-Ex-He-Go".
Spot the difference
| Point | India | Brazil |
|---|---|---|
| Area | About 3.3 million sq km | About 8.5 million sq km |
| Continent | Asia | South America |
| Latitudinal extent | About 29–30° | About 39° |
Practice questions
- 1Write the differences in the locations of India and Brazil.
- 2Which country has larger latitudinal extent and why is it important?
- 3State the similarities between both countries.
- 4Compare the governments of both countries.
- 5Write the lines passing through the two countries by comparison.
- 6Find information on the flags and emblems of both countries.
- 7Show continents, oceans, India and Brazil on a world map.
- 8Compare India and Brazil in a similarity-difference chart.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1India north-east, Asia; Brazil mostly south-west, South America.
- 2Brazil’s; greater extent gives more climatic variety.
- 3Large, faced foreign rule, federal republics, emerging markets.
- 4India parliamentary; Brazil presidential.
- 5India: Tropic of Cancer; Brazil: equator and Tropic of Capricorn.
- 6Student finds information and draws.
- 7Student shows on a map.
- 8Student prepares the chart.