GeographyCBSE Class 11 · India – Location

Extent, Size, Coastline and Neighbours of India (Class 11 Geography, India: Physical Environment, Chapter 1)

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

The mainland of India extends from Kashmir to Kanniyakumari and from Arunachal Pradesh to Gujarat, about 30 degrees in latitude and in longitude, yet 3,214 km north-south against 2,933 km east-west because meridians converge towards the poles. India covers 3.28 million sq km (2.4 per cent of the world, seventh largest) with a coastline of 6,100 km on the mainland and 7,517 km in all.

Understand Extent, Size, Coastline, the Indian Subcontinent and the Neighbours of India

Why this topic matters. The reason for unequal north-south and east-west distances, the size and coastline figures and the list of neighbours are standard short-answer and map items.

1. Limits of the mainland. Kashmir in the north, Kanniyakumari in the south, Arunachal Pradesh in the east and Gujarat in the west. The mainland lies between about 8 degrees 4 minutes N and 37 degrees 6 minutes N, and about 68 degrees 7 minutes E and 97 degrees 25 minutes E. The territorial waters extend 12 nautical miles (about 21.9 km as given in the chapter) from the coast, and the southern boundary reaches 6 degrees 45 minutes N in the Bay of Bengal.

2. Extent. The latitudinal and longitudinal extents are each roughly 30 degrees. The north-south distance is 3,214 km but the east-west distance is only 2,933 km. The reason: the distance between two parallels of latitude is the same everywhere, but the distance between two meridians decreases towards the poles. India lies north of the equator, so 30 degrees of longitude cover fewer km than 30 degrees of latitude.

3. Effect of latitude. The Tropic of Cancer passes through the middle of the country. The south lies in the tropics and the north in the sub-tropical or warm temperate zone, producing large variations in landforms, climate, soils and natural vegetation.

4. Size. 3.28 million sq km, which is 2.4 per cent of the world's land surface; the seventh largest country. The size gives lofty mountains, large rivers, forested hills and the sandy Marusthali.

5. Indian subcontinent. Bounded by the Himalayas in the north, the Hindukush and Sulaiman ranges in the north-west, the Purvachal hills in the north-east and the Indian Ocean in the south. It includes Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and India. The ranges were a formidable barrier crossed only through passes such as Khyber, Bolan, Shipkila, Nathula and Bomdila, which helped create a unique regional identity.

6. Coastline. 6,100 km on the mainland and 7,517 km including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.

7. Neighbours. India lies in south-central Asia between the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. Land neighbours: Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Island neighbours: Sri Lanka, across the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and the Maldives.

Extent, Size, Coastline, the Indian Subcontinent and the Neighbours of India: key facts

Extent: Mainland about 8 degrees 4 minutes N to 37 degrees 6 minutes N
About 68 degrees 7 minutes E to 97 degrees 25 minutes E
Each about 30 degrees; Southern boundary to 6 degrees 45 minutes N.
Distances: North to south 3,214 km
East to west 2,933 km
Parallels equal everywhere, meridians converge towards poles; Why north-south is greater.
Size and coast: 3.28 million sq km
2.4 per cent of world land
Seventh largest
Coastline 6,100 km mainland, 7,517 km with islands; Figures from the chapter.
Subcontinent: $P ak i s t an ∣ N e p a l ∣ B h u t an ∣ B an g l a d es h ∣ I n d ia$; Bounded by Himalayas, Hindukush, Sulaiman, Purvachal and Indian Ocean.

How to answer Extent, Size, Coastline, the Indian Subcontinent and the Neighbours of India questions

Distance-comparison questions use the property of parallels and meridians.

1State that the degree extents are about equal.
2State that parallels are equidistant while meridians converge towards the poles.
3Apply it: India lies north of the equator, so degrees of longitude are shorter in km.
4Conclude with the two distances.

Extent, Size, Coastline, the Indian Subcontinent and the Neighbours of India in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Shrinking slices

Suppose a student cuts an orange into segments that meet at the top and compares the width of a slice near the middle with the width near the top.

Which geographic idea does this show?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Meridians meet at the poles.
Distance between meridians decreases towards the poles.

Answer: The distance between two meridians shrinks towards the poles.

Memory hook: Slices narrow at the top.

Passes through the wall

Suppose traders in earlier times had to cross a high mountain wall only through a few gaps on the north-west and north-east of the subcontinent.

What does this show about the subcontinent's boundaries?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The mountains were a formidable barrier.
Only passes like Khyber and Nathula allowed crossing.

Answer: The ranges acted as barriers and passes were the entry points, helping build a unique regional identity.

Memory hook: Wall with gates.

Tricks to remember Extent, Size, Coastline, the Indian Subcontinent and the Neighbours of India

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

30-30, 3,214 over 2,933
Same degrees, more km north-south
Use it when: Extent.
328 and 2.4
3.28 million sq km, 2.4 per cent, seventh largest
Use it when: Size.
61 and 75
Coastline 6,100 km mainland, 7,517 km with islands
Use it when: Coast.

Extent, Size, Coastline, the Indian Subcontinent and the Neighbours of India: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Subcontinent members · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

Which of these is NOT part of the Indian subcontinent as listed in the chapter?
(A) Bhutan
(B) Nepal
(C) Bangladesh
(D) Afghanistan

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The subcontinent includes Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and India; Afghanistan is a neighbour but not listed (1 mark).

Answer: (D)

Example 2: Sea neighbour · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

Which strait and gulf lie between India and Sri Lanka, and how does a strait differ from a gulf? (2 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar (1 mark).
Strait is a narrow channel joining water bodies; gulf is a large inlet (1 mark).

Answer: The Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar. A strait is a narrow channel joining two larger water bodies; a gulf is a large inlet of the sea into the land.

Example 3: North-south versus east-west · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

A student claims that 30 degrees of longitude at India's latitude must cover exactly the same number of kilometres as 30 degrees of latitude. Evaluate the claim using the figures for India. (3 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Parallels of latitude are the same distance apart everywhere (1 mark).
Meridians come closer towards the poles (1 mark).
India lies north of the equator so its longitude degrees are shorter in km, giving 2,933 km east-west (1 mark).

Answer: The distance between two parallels is the same everywhere, whereas meridians converge towards the poles. Because India lies north of the equator, 30 degrees of longitude cover fewer kilometres than 30 degrees of latitude, so the east-west distance (2,933 km) is smaller than the north-south distance (3,214 km).

Example 4: Assertion and reason: passes · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level

Assertion (A): The mountain ranges around India helped give the subcontinent a unique regional identity.
Reason (R): They formed a formidable barrier crossed only through a few passes.
(A) Both true, R explains A
(B) Both true, R does not explain A
(C) A true, R false
(D) A false, R true

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The barrier limited contact and so favoured a distinct identity (1 mark).

Answer: (A)

Example 5: HOTS: size and diversity · 5 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

India is the seventh largest country with 3.28 million sq km, which is 2.4 per cent of the world's land. Use this figure to find the approximate land area of the world in million sq km, and explain how the size and the latitudinal extent together produce physical diversity. (5 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

World area = 3.28 / 0.024 (1 mark).
= about 136.7 million sq km (1 mark).
Size gives lofty mountains, large rivers, forested hills and the sandy Marusthali (1 mark).
The Tropic of Cancer divides tropical south from sub-tropical north (1 mark).
So landforms, climate, soils and vegetation vary widely (1 mark).

Answer: If 3.28 million sq km is 2.4 per cent of the world's land, the world land area is about 3.28 / 0.024 = 136.7 million sq km (this is only a derived estimate from the rounded percentage). India's large size produces lofty mountains, large rivers, forested hills and the sandy Marusthali. Its latitude, with the Tropic of Cancer through the middle, puts the south in the tropics and the north in the sub-tropical or warm temperate zone, so landforms, climate, soils and natural vegetation show great variety.

Where students lose marks in Extent, Size, Coastline, the Indian Subcontinent and the Neighbours of India

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

Mistake: Saying longitudinal extent is bigger because of more degrees
Degrees are about equal.
Wrong working
East-west is longer because longitude spreads more.
Right working
Both are about 30 degrees but meridians converge, so east-west is shorter.
Do this: Compare in km, not degrees.
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Mistake: Writing 6,100 km as the total coastline
Two figures confused.
Wrong working
Total coastline is 6,100 km.
Right working
6,100 km is the mainland; 7,517 km includes the islands.
Do this: Pair each figure with its scope.
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Mistake: Including Afghanistan in the subcontinent
Neighbour versus subcontinent.
Wrong working
Subcontinent includes Afghanistan.
Right working
Subcontinent: Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and India.
Do this: Learn the five.
Usually costs: 1 mark.

Exam tips

Give both distances with units when explaining the north-south and east-west difference.
Mark Kanniyakumari and the Tropic of Cancer in map work.
Quote 3.28 million sq km, 2.4 per cent and seventh largest together.

Practice questions on Extent, Size, Coastline, the Indian Subcontinent and the Neighbours of India

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
India's mainland southernmost point is:
(A) Indira Point
(B) Kanniyakumari
(C) Rameswaram
(D) Mahabalipuram
Hint
Mainland.
Answer
(B)
Q2 · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level
Name India's rank by area and give two physical features that its large size makes possible. (2 marks)
Hint
3.28 and 2.4.
Answer
India is the seventh largest country; its size allows lofty mountains, large rivers, forested hills and the sandy Marusthali.
Q3 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Describe the boundaries that define the Indian subcontinent. (3 marks)
Hint
Himalayas, Hindukush, Purvachal.
Answer
The Himalayas bound it in the north, the Hindukush and Sulaiman ranges in the north-west, the Purvachal hills in the north-east and the Indian Ocean in the south. It includes Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and India.
Q4 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Give the length of India's coastline and the islands included in the larger figure. (3 marks)
Hint
Two figures.
Answer
The mainland coastline is 6,100 km and the total including islands is 7,517 km. The islands are the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal and Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea.
Q5 · 4 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency
The mainland extends about 29 degrees in latitude and 29 degrees in longitude. Using the 8 degrees 4 minutes N to 37 degrees 6 minutes N extent, calculate the latitudinal spread, and say what the Tropic of Cancer does to the climate zones. (4 marks)
Hint
Subtract.
Answer
The latitudinal spread is 37 degrees 6 minutes minus 8 degrees 4 minutes = 29 degrees 2 minutes. The Tropic of Cancer passes through the middle, so the southern part is tropical and the northern part is sub-tropical or warm temperate.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

1.Mainland north-south distance?Show answer
3,214 km.
2.East-west distance?Show answer
2,933 km.
3.Which passes cross the ranges?Show answer
Khyber, Bolan, Shipkila, Nathula and Bomdila.
4.Nautical miles of territorial waters?Show answer
12.

Extent, Size, Coastline, the Indian Subcontinent and the Neighbours of India: frequently asked questions

Which country has the longest land frontier with India?

Bangladesh, according to the chapter exercise.

What is a strait?

A narrow channel joining two larger water bodies.

Which line passes through the middle of India?

The Tropic of Cancer.