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|exclusive economic zone={{convert|2305143|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}}} | |exclusive economic zone={{convert|2305143|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}}} | ||
[[India]] is situated north of the equator between 8°4' north (the mainland) to 37°6' north latitude and 68°7' east to 97°25' east longitude.<ref name="yearbook">[[#Yearbook|India Yearbook]], p. 1</ref> It is the [[List of countries and outlying territories by total area|seventh-largest country in the world]], with a total area of {{convert|3287263|km2|mi2|0}}.<ref name=indiaEB>{{cite encyclopedia| title=India|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|url= | [[India]] is situated north of the equator between 8°4' north (the mainland) to 37°6' north latitude and 68°7' east to 97°25' east longitude.<ref name="yearbook">[[#Yearbook|India Yearbook]], p. 1</ref> It is the [[List of countries and outlying territories by total area|seventh-largest country in the world]], with a total area of {{convert|3287263|km2|mi2|0}}.<ref name=indiaEB>{{cite encyclopedia| title=India|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/285248/India|access-date=17 July 2012}} Total area excludes disputed territories not under Indian control.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2001|title=India at a Glance: Area|url=https://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/India_at_Glance/area.aspx|access-date=9 September 2020|website=Ministry of Home Affairs: Government of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2002|title=Jammu and Kashmir - CIA|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/abbottabad-compound/37/374CB8CF12C9742A9133BE7CEED44E13_%D9%83%D8%B4%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%B1.doc.pdf|access-date=9 September 2020|website=Central Intelligence Agency}}</ref> India measures {{convert|3214|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} from north to south and {{convert|2933|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} from east to west. It has a land frontier of {{convert|15200|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} and a coastline of {{convert|7516.6|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="DBM">{{cite web |title=Annual Report 2016-17, Ministry of Home Affairs |url=https://mha.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/anual_report_18082017.pdf|access-date=7 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307151308/https://mha.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/anual_report_18082017.pdf |archive-date=7 March 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | ||
On the south, India projects into and is bounded by the [[Indian Ocean]]—in particular, by the [[Arabian Sea]] on the west, the [[Lakshadweep Sea]] to the southwest, the [[Bay of Bengal]] on the east, and the [[Indian Ocean]] proper to the south. The [[Palk Strait]] and [[Gulf of Mannar]] separate India from [[Sri Lanka]] to its immediate southeast, and the [[Maldives]] are some {{convert|125|km}} to the south of India's [[Lakshadweep Islands]] across the [[Maliku Kandu|Eight Degree Channel]]. India's [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]], some {{convert|1200|km}} southeast of the mainland, share [[maritime boundary|maritime borders]] with [[Myanmar]], [[Thailand]] and [[Indonesia]]. The southernmost tip of the Indian mainland (8°4′38″N, 77°31′56″E) is just south of [[Kanyakumari]], while the southernmost point in India is [[Indira Point]] on [[Great Nicobar Island]]. The northernmost point which is under Indian administration is Indira Col, Siachen Glacier.<ref name="manorama">{{cite journal| title = Manorama Yearbook 2006 (India – The Country) | journal = Manorama Year Book | publisher = Malayala Manorama | year = 2006 | page = 515 | issn = 0542-5778}}</ref> India's [[territorial waters]] extend into the sea to a distance of {{convert|12|nmi|mi km|1|lk=in}} from the coast baseline.<ref name="waters_extent">{{cite web|title=Territorial extent of India's waters |publisher=The International Law of the Sea and Indian MaritimeLegislation |date=30 April 2005 |url=http://www.irfc-nausena.nic.in/irfc/ezine/Trans2Trimph/chapters/27_law%20of%20the%20sea1.htm |access-date=16 May 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928140322/http://www.irfc-nausena.nic.in/irfc/ezine/Trans2Trimph/chapters/27_law%20of%20the%20sea1.htm |archive-date=28 September 2007}}</ref> India has the 18th largest [[Exclusive Economic Zone]] of {{convert|2305143|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}. | On the south, India projects into and is bounded by the [[Indian Ocean]]—in particular, by the [[Arabian Sea]] on the west, the [[Lakshadweep Sea]] to the southwest, the [[Bay of Bengal]] on the east, and the [[Indian Ocean]] proper to the south. The [[Palk Strait]] and [[Gulf of Mannar]] separate India from [[Sri Lanka]] to its immediate southeast, and the [[Maldives]] are some {{convert|125|km}} to the south of India's [[Lakshadweep Islands]] across the [[Maliku Kandu|Eight Degree Channel]]. India's [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]], some {{convert|1200|km}} southeast of the mainland, share [[maritime boundary|maritime borders]] with [[Myanmar]], [[Thailand]] and [[Indonesia]]. The southernmost tip of the Indian mainland (8°4′38″N, 77°31′56″E) is just south of [[Kanyakumari]], while the southernmost point in India is [[Indira Point]] on [[Great Nicobar Island]]. The northernmost point which is under Indian administration is Indira Col, Siachen Glacier.<ref name="manorama">{{cite journal| title = Manorama Yearbook 2006 (India – The Country) | journal = Manorama Year Book | publisher = Malayala Manorama | year = 2006 | page = 515 | issn = 0542-5778}}</ref> India's [[territorial waters]] extend into the sea to a distance of {{convert|12|nmi|mi km|1|lk=in}} from the coast baseline.<ref name="waters_extent">{{cite web|title=Territorial extent of India's waters |publisher=The International Law of the Sea and Indian MaritimeLegislation |date=30 April 2005 |url=http://www.irfc-nausena.nic.in/irfc/ezine/Trans2Trimph/chapters/27_law%20of%20the%20sea1.htm |access-date=16 May 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928140322/http://www.irfc-nausena.nic.in/irfc/ezine/Trans2Trimph/chapters/27_law%20of%20the%20sea1.htm |archive-date=28 September 2007}}</ref> India has the 18th largest [[Exclusive Economic Zone]] of {{convert|2305143|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}. | ||
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India can be divided into six [[Physiographic regions of the world|physiographic regions]]. They are: | India can be divided into six [[Physiographic regions of the world|physiographic regions]]. They are: | ||
* Northern Mountains: [[Himalayas]] | * Northern Mountains: [[Himalayas]] | ||
* Peninsular Plateau: contains mountain ranges ([[Aravalli Range|Aravalli]], Vindhayachal and [[Satpura Range|Satpura]] ranges), ghats (Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats) and plateaues (Malwa Plateau, Chhota Nagpur Plateau, Southern Garanulite terrain, [[Deccan Plateau]] and Kutch Kathiawar plateau). | * Peninsular Plateau: contains mountain ranges ([[Aravalli Range|Aravalli]], Vindhayachal and [[Satpura Range|Satpura]] ranges), [[Ghat|ghats]] (Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats) and plateaues (Malwa Plateau, Chhota Nagpur Plateau, Southern Garanulite terrain, [[Deccan Plateau]] and Kutch Kathiawar plateau). | ||
*[[Indo-Gangetic Plain]] [[or The Northern Plains]] | *[[Indo-Gangetic Plain]] [[or The Northern Plains]] | ||
*[[Thar Desert]] | *[[Thar Desert]] | ||
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[[File:Thar desert Rajasthan India.jpg|thumb|left|Thar desert, [[Rajasthan]]]] | [[File:Thar desert Rajasthan India.jpg|thumb|left|Thar desert, [[Rajasthan]]]] | ||
{{Main|Thar Desert}} | {{Main|Thar Desert}} | ||
The Thar Desert (also known as ''the deserts'') is by some calculations the world's seventh largest desert, by some others the tenth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://geology.com/records/largest-desert.shtml|title=The World's Largest Desert|publisher=geology.com|access-date=14 May 2011}}</ref> It forms a significant portion of western India and covers an area of {{convert|200000|to|238700|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url= | The Thar Desert (also known as ''the deserts'') is by some calculations the world's seventh largest desert, by some others the tenth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://geology.com/records/largest-desert.shtml|title=The World's Largest Desert|publisher=geology.com|access-date=14 May 2011}}</ref> It forms a significant portion of western India and covers an area of {{convert|200000|to|238700|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/590028/Thar-Desert|title=Thar Desert|encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]|access-date=14 May 2011}}</ref> The desert continues into Pakistan as the [[Cholistan Desert]]. Most of the Thar Desert is situated in [[Rajasthan]], covering 61% of its geographic area. | ||
About 10 percent of this region consists of sand dunes, and the remaining 90 percent consist of craggy rock forms, compacted salt-lake bottoms, and interdunal and fixed dune areas. Annual temperatures can range from {{convert|0|C}} in the winter to over {{convert|50|C}} during the summer. Most of the rainfall received in this region is associated with the short July–September southwest monsoon that brings {{convert|100|to|500|mm|abbr=on}} of precipitation. Water is scarce and occurs at great depths, ranging from {{convert|30|to|120|m}} below the ground level.<ref name="KAUL">{{cite book|title=Afforestation in Arid zones|author=Kaul, R.N.|publisher=N.V. Publishers, [[The Hague]]|year=1970}}</ref> Rainfall is precarious and erratic, ranging from below {{convert|120|mm|in|abbr=on}} in the extreme west to {{convert|375|mm|in|abbr=on}} eastward. The only river in this region is Luni. The soils of the arid region are generally sandy to sandy-loam in texture. The consistency and depth vary as per the topographical features. The low-lying loams are heavier may have a hard pan of clay, [[calcium carbonate]] or [[gypsum]]. | About 10 percent of this region consists of sand dunes, and the remaining 90 percent consist of craggy rock forms, compacted salt-lake bottoms, and interdunal and fixed dune areas. Annual temperatures can range from {{convert|0|C}} in the winter to over {{convert|50|C}} during the summer. Most of the rainfall received in this region is associated with the short July–September southwest monsoon that brings {{convert|100|to|500|mm|abbr=on}} of precipitation. Water is scarce and occurs at great depths, ranging from {{convert|30|to|120|m}} below the ground level.<ref name="KAUL">{{cite book|title=Afforestation in Arid zones|author=Kaul, R.N.|publisher=N.V. Publishers, [[The Hague]]|year=1970}}</ref> Rainfall is precarious and erratic, ranging from below {{convert|120|mm|in|abbr=on}} in the extreme west to {{convert|375|mm|in|abbr=on}} eastward. The only river in this region is Luni. The soils of the arid region are generally sandy to sandy-loam in texture. The consistency and depth vary as per the topographical features. The low-lying loams are heavier may have a hard pan of clay, [[calcium carbonate]] or [[gypsum]]. | ||
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[[File:Teestavalley.jpg|thumb|left|[[National highways of India|National Highway]] [[List of National Highways in India|31A]] winds along the banks of the [[Teesta River]] near [[Kalimpong]] ([[West Bengal]]), in the [[Darjeeling]] Himalayan hill region.]] | [[File:Teestavalley.jpg|thumb|left|[[National highways of India|National Highway]] [[List of National Highways in India|31A]] winds along the banks of the [[Teesta River]] near [[Kalimpong]] ([[West Bengal]]), in the [[Darjeeling]] Himalayan hill region.]] | ||
The [[Ganges]]-[[Brahmaputra River|Brahmaputra]]-[[Meghna River|Meghana]] system has the largest catchment area of about {{convert|1600000|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Elhance1999">{{cite book|last=Elhance|first=Arun P.|title=Hydropolitics in the Third World: conflict and cooperation in international river basins|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uB0ZSZjTECsC&pg=PA156|year=1999|publisher=US Institute of Peace Press|isbn=978-1-878379-91-7|pages=156–158}}</ref> The [[Ganges Basin]] alone has a catchment of about {{convert|1100000|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="manorama3"/> The Ganges originates from the [[Gangotri Glacier]] in Uttarakhand.<ref name="manorama4"/> It flows southeast, draining into the Bay of Bengal.<ref name="manorama3"/> (The [[Yamuna]] and [[Gomti]] rivers also arise in the western Himalayas and join the Ganges in the plains.<ref name="manorama3"/> The Brahmaputra originates in [[Tibet]], [[People's Republic of China|China]], where it is known as the [[Yarlung Tsangpo River]]) (or "Tsangpo"). It enters India in the far-eastern state of [[Arunachal Pradesh]], then flows west through [[Assam]]. The Brahmaputra merges with the Ganges in Bangladesh, where it is known as the [[Jamuna River (Bangladesh)|Jamuna River]].<ref name="manorama3"/><ref name=britannica>[ | The [[Ganges]]-[[Brahmaputra River|Brahmaputra]]-[[Meghna River|Meghana]] system has the largest catchment area of about {{convert|1600000|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Elhance1999">{{cite book|last=Elhance|first=Arun P.|title=Hydropolitics in the Third World: conflict and cooperation in international river basins|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uB0ZSZjTECsC&pg=PA156|year=1999|publisher=US Institute of Peace Press|isbn=978-1-878379-91-7|pages=156–158}}</ref> The [[Ganges Basin]] alone has a catchment of about {{convert|1100000|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="manorama3"/> The Ganges originates from the [[Gangotri Glacier]] in Uttarakhand.<ref name="manorama4"/> It flows southeast, draining into the Bay of Bengal.<ref name="manorama3"/> (The [[Yamuna]] and [[Gomti]] rivers also arise in the western Himalayas and join the Ganges in the plains.<ref name="manorama3"/> The Brahmaputra originates in [[Tibet]], [[People's Republic of China|China]], where it is known as the [[Yarlung Tsangpo River]]) (or "Tsangpo"). It enters India in the far-eastern state of [[Arunachal Pradesh]], then flows west through [[Assam]]. The Brahmaputra merges with the Ganges in Bangladesh, where it is known as the [[Jamuna River (Bangladesh)|Jamuna River]].<ref name="manorama3"/><ref name=britannica>[https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/77154/Brahmaputra-River/48053/Physical-features Brahmaputra River], Encyclopædia Britannica</ref> | ||
The [[Chambal River|Chambal]], another tributary of the Ganges, via the Yamuna, originates from the Vindhya-Satpura watershed. The river flows eastward. Westward-flowing rivers from this watershed are the [[Narmada River|Narmada]] and [[Tapti River|Tapi]], which drain into the Arabian Sea in Gujarat. The river network that flows from east to west constitutes 10% of the total outflow.{{clarify|date=May 2011|reason=10% of the what total outflow? paragraph also a bit confusing—easy to read it as saying the Narmada and Tapi are tributaries of the Chambal.}} | The [[Chambal River|Chambal]], another tributary of the Ganges, via the Yamuna, originates from the Vindhya-Satpura watershed. The river flows eastward. Westward-flowing rivers from this watershed are the [[Narmada River|Narmada]] and [[Tapti River|Tapi]], which drain into the Arabian Sea in Gujarat. The river network that flows from east to west constitutes 10% of the total outflow.{{clarify|date=May 2011|reason=10% of the what total outflow? paragraph also a bit confusing—easy to read it as saying the Narmada and Tapi are tributaries of the Chambal.}} | ||