India lies entirely in the northern and eastern hemispheres. It extends from 8°4’N to 37°6’N latitudes and 68°7’E to 97°25 ‘E longitudes. The Tropic of Cancer divides India into two parts by passing through it. The approximate area is 3.3 million sq km. The Himalayas separate it from the rest of Asia. It has many neighbouring countries with whom it makes a subcontinent. South of the Tropic of Cancer lies peninsular Indiatriangular mass of land projecting into the Indian Ocean. It is surrounded by water on three sides. The Arabian Sea in the west, the Bay of Bengal in the east and the India Ocean in the south. The central position of India between the East and the West world has helped in the development of trade and commerce.

India at a Glance

Latitudinal extent: 8°4′ N – 37°6’ N

Longitudinal extent: 68°7’E – 97°25’E

Area : 32, 87, 263 sq. km

North-south extent: 3,214 km

East-west distance : 2,933 km

Length of land frontier : 15,200 km

Length of coastline : 7,500 km

Number of states : 29

Number of union territories : 7

Capital: New Delhi

Total population (According to 2011 Census) : 1.21 billion

Average population density : 382 persons per sq km