Standard meridian of India
India’s standard meridian is chosen as 82°30′ E. This is called the ‘Standard Meridean’ of India‘.
India is a large country, that lies entirely in the Northern Hemisphere. India extends between latitudes 8°4’N and 37°6’N and longitudes 68°7’E and 97°25’E.
The Tropic of Cancer (23° 30’N) divides India into almost two equal parts. Indian mainland extends from Jammu and Kashmir in the north to Kanyakumari in the south.
Also Arunachal Pradesh in the east and Gujarat in the west. India has its territorial limit extending up to 12 Nautical miles (about 21.9 km) from the coast. The southern boundary extends 6°45′ N latitude in the Bay of Bengal. The latitudinal and longitudinal extent of India is roughly about 30 degrees.
Distance from North to South of India is 3214 km and East to West is only 2933 km. This difference in distance is to distance between two longitudes decreases towards the poles whereas the distance between the latitudes remains the same everywhere.
Latitudinal Extent and its Implications
The southern part of a nation lies within the tropics and the northern part lies in the sub-tropical zone or warm temperate zone. This location is responsible for the large difference in landforms, climate, soil types, and natural vegetation in the nation.
Longitudinal Extent and its Implications
There is a variation of nearly 30 degrees, which causes a time difference of nearly two hours between the easternmost and westmost parts of India. That is nearly two hours difference between Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat.
India extent and standard meridian are chosen as 82°30′ E. This is called the ‘Standard Meridean’ of India.
Indian Standard Meridian is ahead of Greenwich Mean Time by 5 Hours and 30 Minutes. Some countries have multiple standard meridians such as the USA, which has seven time zones.
The standard meridian of India passes through Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh. It is chosen because it is situated in the centre of all longitudes and latitudes in the country.
FAQ
- What is the latitudinal extent of India?
Latitudes 8°4’N and 37°6’N and longitudes 68°7’E and 97°25’E. India lies entirely in the Northern Hemisphere.
2. The standard meridian of India passes through?
The standard meridian of India passes through Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh.
3. Approximately what is the latitudinal and longitudinal extent of the mainland of India?
Latitudinal extent: 8°4’N to 37°6’N. Longitudinal extent: 68°7’E to 97°25’E. Mainland India has a landmass area of 3.28 Million sq. km.
4. Which latitude divides India into two halves?
23° 30’N latitude divides India into two equal halves.