" India occupies only 2.4 percent of the Earth's landmass but has over eight percent of world's known wildlife. "
India - A large country, 7th in size in the world - often mistaken for a continent - has the oldest civilisation and a very rich cultural heritage. It got its name from the indus river. It is to the north of the Equator between 8.5 degree and 37.6 degree [north latitude] and 68.8 degree and 97.26 degree [east longitude]. In the north of it lies the Himalayan range which separates it from China, Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan. In the east of it lie Bangladesh and Myanmar [Burma] and in the north - west Pakistan. The gulf of Myanmar and Palk Strait separate it form Sri Lanka in the south. There are hills, forest, mountains as well as deserts which house hundred types of mammals, deers, dirds, reptiles, loins, tigers, etc. It is surrounded by sea from the east, west and south by the bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean, respectively. Sixty per cent of its land is fertile.Magnitude:
From Himalyas to Kanyakumari ................................ 3,214 km
From Rann of Kutch to Assam ................................. 2,933 km
Length of land frontier .............................................. 15,200 km
Total land area ..................................................... 32,87,263 sq km
Coastal line .............................................................. 7516.7 km
Regions of land
The land in India can fall chiefly into four natural regions -
the Himalayan range in the north, the Deccan Plateau in the south, the Indo - Gangetic plain and the desert.
Himalayas: Himalayas comprise three almost parallel ranges interspersed with large plateaus and valleys, some of which like Kashmir and Kulu valley are fertile,extensive and of great scenic beauty. They are the highest mountain ranges in the world and run about 2400 km in a south-east to south - west direction and separate India from Asia. The high altitude limit renges only to a few passes - Jelep La and Natu La on the Indo - Tibet route through Chumbi valley. The highest peak of Himalayas (K2) (8,611 meters) in India is Godwin - Auslin. Mount Everest (8,848 m) in Nepal in the highest peak.
Gangetic Plain: The Indo-Gangetic plain, 2,400 Km long and 320km broad, is a very fertile plain formed by the basins of three rivers - the Indus, the Ganga, the Yamuna and the Brahmaputra. it slops by and by from Delhi to Kolkata. The Ganga is a mighty river, originating from Gangotri in the Himalayas, flowing through the plain and finally meeting the bay of Bengal. On this plain flourished the Aryan civilization which made great strides in the field of science and literature. Delhi the present capital of the country, lies on the banks of Yamuna. It has ruined several times and then rebuilt. On the bank of Ganga is situated the picturesque city of Varanasi the seat of learning for Hindus. The Deer Park at Sarnath is famous it was here that Gautam the Buddha delivered his firat message of forbearance to the suffering humanity. Further east is Patna - Patliputra of the ancient times and the capital of many greats, including that of Emperor Ashok.
Rivers Krishna and Cauveri aries from the Westren Ghats and fall into Bay of Bengal whereas Tapti and Narmada fall into the Arabian Sea.
In the north-west of the peninsula is situated Mumbai, the principal business centre and the financial capital of the country. Ajanta Caves and Ellore temples are some 400km to the north - east of Mumbai.The tropical forest of Kerala are situated down south along the narrow strech of the West Coast.The peninsula has always been a seat of Indian culture. It abounds in beautiful temples and is the centre of ancient dance. drama and music which have been preserved till date.
Lakshdweep: This comprises 27 islands, scattered in the Arabian Sea. They are some 300 km west of Kerala coast. They are also Union Territories.
