NCERT Solutions for class 9 SST Geography Chapter 1 India size and location

Question-1
(i) Name the group of islands lying in the Arabian sea?
(ii) Name the countries which are larger than India?
(iii) Which island group of India lies to its south-east?
(iv) Which island countries are our southern neighbors?
Solution:
(i) Lakshadweep islands.
(ii) Russia, Canada, USA, China, Brazil, and Australia.
(iii) Andaman and Nicobar islands.
(iv) Srilanka and Maldives

Question-2
The sun rises two hours earlier in Arunachal Pradesh as compared to Gujarat in the west but the watches show the same time. How does this happen?
Solution:
The latitudinal and longitudinal extent of the mainland is about 30°. Despite this fact, the east-west extent appears to be smaller than the north-south extent. From Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh there is a time lag of two hours. Hence, time along the Standard Meridian of India (82°30’E) passing through Mirzapur (in Uttar Pradesh) is taken as the standard time for the whole country. The latitudinal extent influences the duration of the day and night, as one moves from south to north.
Question-3
The central location of India at the head of the Indian Ocean is considered of great significance. Why?
Solution:
The trans-Indian Ocean routes which connect the countries of Europe in the West and the countries of East Asia provide a strategic central location to India.