Indian Geography

Last Updated : 19 Mar, 2024

India is like a big puzzle with lots of different pieces. There are mountains in the north that reach way up high, while in the south, there are sunny beaches. In the west, there are dry, sandy deserts; in the east, there’s lush greenery as far as the eye can see.

This country sits between two big oceans, and its geography has shaped its history and culture. In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at India’s geography. We’ll travel all around the country, learning about its different landscapes and what makes them special. So, get ready to discover the amazing places and stories that India’s geography has to offer!

India – Size and Location

Location of India

India is entirely situated in the Northern Hemisphere and falls longitudinally within the Eastern Hemisphere.
Its latitudinal extent spans from 8°4′ N to 37°6′ N, covering a range from south to north.
The longitudinal extent of India stretches from 68°7′ E to 97°25′ E, spanning from west to east.
The Tropic of Cancer at 23°30′ N divides India almost into two equal parts, passing through eight states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram.
Positioned southeast of the mainland are the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, located in the Bay of Bengal.
To the southwest of the mainland are the Lakshadweep Islands, situated in the Arabian Sea.
The southernmost point of India, known as “Indira Point” on the Great Nicobar Island, submerged under seawater during the 2004 Tsunami.

Size of India

India covers an area of approximately 3.28 million square kilometers, accounting for about 2.4% of the world’s total geographical area.
Ranking as the seventh largest country globally, India follows Russia, Canada, USA, China, Brazil, and Australia in terms of size.
Its land boundary stretches approximately 15,200 kilometers, while the total length of its coastline, including the Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar islands, measures 7517 kilometers.
Despite having a relatively similar longitudinal and latitudinal extent of approximately 30°, India’s north-south extent appears larger than its east-west span.
The mainland of India extends from Kashmir in the north to Kanyakumari in the south, covering a distance of 3214 kilometers, and from Arunachal Pradesh in the east to Gujarat in the west, spanning 2933 kilometers.
India’s territorial waters extend up to 12 nautical miles (approximately 21.9 kilometers) from the coast.
Positioned within the Tropics in the south and the sub-tropical or warm temperate zone in the north, India experiences significant variations in landforms, climate, soil types, and natural vegetation.
Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh marks the location of the Standard Meridian of India at 82°30′ E, serving as the basis for Indian Standard Time. There is a two-hour time difference from Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh. Indian Standard Time precedes Greenwich Mean Time by 5 hours and 30 minutes. The Standard Meridian of India passes through Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.

India and the World

Geographically situated in the south-central region of the Asian continent, India shares its borders with seven neighboring countries. India’s land boundaries are contiguous with Pakistan and Afghanistan to the northwest, China, Nepal, and Bhutan to the north, and Myanmar and Bangladesh to the east.
Among these neighbors, Bangladesh shares the longest border with India, stretching approximately 4096.7 kilometers, while the shortest border is with Afghanistan, spanning just 106 kilometers.
Across the sea, India’s southern neighbors include Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
Sri Lanka is separated from India by a narrow sea channel comprising the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar, while the Maldives islands lie south of the Lakshadweep islands.

Physical Features of India – Indian Geography

The physiography of a region reflects its structural composition, ongoing processes, and evolutionary stage. India’s terrain showcases considerable diversity. Geologically, the Peninsular Plateau stands as one of the oldest landmasses, constituting one of the most stable land formations on the planet’s surface. In contrast, the Himalayas and the Northern Plains are relatively recent geological formations. The Himalayan range displays a youthful topography characterized by towering peaks, deep valleys, and swiftly flowing rivers. Conversely, the Northern Plains have emerged from alluvial sediment deposits, while the Peninsular Plateau is primarily composed of igneous and metamorphic rocks, featuring gently sloping hills and expansive valleys.

Major Physiographic Divisions

The physical features of India can be grouped under the following physiographic divisions:

The Himalayan Mountains
The Northern Plains
The Peninsula Plateau
The Indian Desert
The Coastal Plains
The Islands

The Himalayan Mountains

The Himalayas stand as one of the tallest and most rugged mountain ranges globally, characterized by their youthfulness and structural folding. Spanning approximately 2500 km from east to west, the Great Himalayan range, also known as the central axial range, varies in width from 400 km in Kashmir to 150 km in Arunachal Pradesh.

It mainly comprises of four distinct mountain ranges from north to south:

The Trans Himalaya or the Tibetan Himalaya: Situated north of the Great Himalayas, this range includes the Karakoram, Ladakh, Zanskar, and Kailash mountain ranges, predominantly located in Tibet.
The Great or Inner Himalaya or Himadri: This continuous range features the loftiest peaks, with an average elevation of around 6000 meters. Among its notable summits are Mount Everest in Nepal (8848 m), Kanchenjunga in India (8598 m), and Nanda Devi in India (7817 m). Composed mainly of granite, this region is perpetually covered in snow, giving rise to numerous glaciers.
The Lesser Himalaya or The Himachal: Located south of the Himadri, this range consists of highly compressed and altered rocks, with elevations ranging from 3700 to 4700 meters and an average width of 50 km. Famous subranges include the Pir Panjal range, Dhaula Dhar, and Mahabharat ranges, housing picturesque valleys like Kashmir, Kullu, and Kangra Valley.
The Shiwaliks or the Outer Himalaya: Forming the outermost range, the Shiwaliks extend over 10-15 km in width with altitudes ranging from 900 to 100 meters. Composed of unconsolidated sediments deposited by rivers from the northern ranges, these ranges are covered with thick gravel and alluvium. The region between the Shiwaliks and the Lesser Himalayas comprises longitudinal valleys known as Duns, with notable examples including Dehra Dun, Kotli Dun, and Patli Dun.

The Himalayas are further divided into distinct regions from west to east:

Kashmir or North-Western Himalayas: Featuring ranges like Karakoram, Ladakh, Zanskar, and Pir Panjal, this region encompasses diverse landscapes, including cold deserts and fertile valleys like Kashmir, famous for Karewa formations utilized for saffron cultivation.
Himachal and Uttarakhand Himalayas: Stretching from the Ravi River in the west to the Kali River in the east, this region boasts the convergence of major river systems like the Indus and the Ganga. Notable for its hill stations and Duns like Dehra Dun, this area showcases the Great Himalayas, Lesser Himalayas, and Shiwalik ranges.
Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas: Bounded by Nepal Himalayas to the west and Bhutan Himalayas to the east, this compact yet significant region is known for its fast-flowing rivers and towering peaks like Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain globally.
Arunachal Himalayas:Extending eastwards from Bhutan Himalayas to the Diphu pass, this region features fast-flowing rivers like the Subansiri and the Kameng, offering substantial hydroelectric power potential.
The Eastern Hills and Mountains: Running along India’s eastern boundary, these hills, also known as Purvanchal, comprise ranges like the Patkai hills, Naga hills, Manipur hills, and Mizo or Lushai Hills, predominantly composed of sedimentary rocks and covered in dense forests.

The Northern Plains

Situated south of the Shiwalik range, the expansive plains in northern India serve as a transitional zone bridging the Himalayas in the north and Peninsular India in the south. These plains are formed by the sedimentary deposits of major rivers like the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra, along with their tributaries, covering an extensive area of 7 lakh sq. km. Stretching approximately 2400 km in length and 240-320 km in width, these plains benefit from fertile soil, abundant water resources, and favorable climatic conditions, making them highly conducive to agriculture.

Northern India is typically categorized into three main sections:

The Punjab Plains – Located in the western part of the Northern Plains, this region is predominantly formed by the Indus and its tributaries, with a significant portion lying within Pakistan.
The Ganga Plains – Extending between the Ghaggar and Teesta rivers, this vast expanse covers states such as Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and parts of Jharkhand and West Bengal.
The Brahmaputra Plains – Predominantly situated in Assam, this region is characterized by the Brahmaputra river and its associated tributaries.

Based on the variation in relief features, the Northern Plains can be further divided into four distinct regions:

Bhabar – This narrow belt, stretching approximately 8 to 16 km in width, lies to the south of the Shiwalik slopes, where rivers deposit pebbles. Due to high porosity, streams often disappear within this Bhabar belt.
Terai – South of the Bhabar, the Terai belt spans approximately 10 to 20 km in width. It features marshy and swampy conditions, as most streams and rivers resurface without well-defined channels. The Terai region boasts lush natural vegetation and diverse wildlife.
Bhangar – Comprising the largest portion of the northern plains, Bhangar is formed by older alluvial deposits, positioned above the floodplains. It presents a terraced landscape and contains calcareous soil deposits known as Kankar.
Khadar – The newer floodplain deposits constitute Khadar, enriched annually by fresh silt deposits during the rainy season. This fertile region is highly suitable for intensive agricultural practices.

The Peninsula Plateau

Constituting the largest physiographic division of India, the Peninsular upland forms an irregular triangle with a general elevation ranging from 600 to 900 meters. Its outer boundaries include the Delhi ridge in the northwest (an extension of the Aravallis), the Raj Mahal hills in the east, the Gir range in the west, and the Cardamom hills in the south. The northeast extension features the Shillong and Karbi-Anglong plateau. Originating from the fragmentation and movement of the Gondwana landmass, the Peninsular Plateau stands as one of India’s oldest and most stable landmasses, comprising ancient crystalline, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. Notable plateaus within Peninsular India include the Hazaribagh, Palamu, Ranchi, Malwa, Coimbatore, and Karnataka plateaus.

A distinctive feature of the Peninsular Plateau is the presence of black soil areas known as the Deccan Trap, formed from volcanic activity. Over time, these igneous rocks have weathered, giving rise to the formation of fertile black soil.

Based on prominent relief features, the Peninsular plateau can be categorized into three main groups:

The Central Highlands – Positioned north of the Narmada river, this region encompasses the Malwa plateau, bordered by the Aravallis to the north and the Vindhyan range to the south. The Aravallis, among the world’s oldest folded mountain ranges, extend into Rajasthan, featuring notable peaks like Guru Sikhar. The Vindhyan range, bounded by the Satpura range to the south, forms the northern boundary of the Deccan plateau.
The Deccan Plateau – Spanning south of the Narmada river, the Deccan Plateau comprises a triangular landmass flanked by the Satpura range to the north. It extends eastward with the Mahadev, Kaimur Hills, and Maikal range. To the northeast, extensions of the plateau include the Meghalaya, Karbi-Anglong Plateau, and North Cachar Hills, separated by faults from the Chotanagpur Plateau. Noteworthy hill ranges include the Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia Hills.
- Western Ghats – These mountain ranges border the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, running parallel to the western coast for about 1600 km. Known locally as Sahyadri in Maharashtra and Nilgiri Hills in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, the Western Ghats feature peaks like Anaimudi and Dodabetta. They serve as the source of rivers like the Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri, influencing regional climates and supporting diverse ecosystems.
- Eastern Ghats – Forming the eastern boundary of the Deccan Plateau, the Eastern Ghats consist of low hills eroded by rivers flowing into the Bay of Bengal. Notable ranges include the Javadi hills, Palconda range, Nallamala hills, and Mahendragiri hills, with the highest peak being Mahendragiri. The Eastern and Western Ghats converge at the Nilgiri hills.
The Northeastern Plateau – An extension of the main Peninsular Plateau, this region emerged due to the northeastward movement of the Indian plate during the formation of the Himalayas. A significant fault created between the Rajmahal hills and the Meghalaya plateau led to the deposition of sediments, resulting in the detachment of the Meghalaya and Karbi-Anglong plateau from the main Peninsular block. The Meghalaya plateau, rich in mineral resources, receives heavy rainfall during the southwest monsoon, leading to extensive erosion and unique landscapes like those found in Cherrapunji.

The Great Indian Desert/Thar Desert

A desert is characterized by aridity, where evaporation surpasses precipitation. More than 60% of the Thar desert is situated within Rajasthan. Located northwest of the Aravalli hills, the Great Indian Desert/Thar Desert features undulating terrain punctuated by longitudinal dunes and crescent-shaped barchans. Receiving minimal rainfall, typically below 150 mm annually, the region boasts an arid climate with sparse vegetation, earning it the moniker Marusthali.

During the Mesozoic era, this area is believed to have been submerged under the sea, evidenced by wood fossils at Aakal and marine deposits near Brahmsar, estimated to be around 180 million years old. Although the underlying rock structure aligns with the Peninsular plateau, the harsh arid conditions have sculpted surface features through physical weathering and wind erosion.
Prominent desert features include mushroom rocks, shifting dunes, and occasional oases, mainly in the southern region. Oriented into northern and southern sections, the desert slopes towards Sindh in the north and the Rann of Kachchh in the south.
The Luni River is the primary watercourse in the southern desert, reaching the Arabian Sea via the Rann of Kutch. Some streams vanish after a short course, contributing to inland drainage systems that feed brackish lakes and playas, serving as crucial sources of salt extraction.

The Coastal Plains

Flanking the Peninsular plateau are narrow coastal strips along the Arabian Sea in the west (Western Coastal Plains) and the Bay of Bengal in the east (Eastern Coastal Plains).

The Western Coastal Plains: Positioned between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, this strip is a remnant of submerged coastal plains. Dwarka, once part of the Indian mainland along the west coast, is submerged underwater, resulting in the narrow coastal belt ideal for natural ports. Stretching from Gujarat to Kerala, it encompasses various regions like Kachch and Kathiawar, Kokan, Goan, and Malabar coasts. The western coast is narrow in the middle and expands towards the north and south, featuring estuaries instead of river deltas. The Malabar coast boasts shallow lagoons and backwaters, serving as vital navigation routes and tourist attractions.
The Eastern Coastal Plains: Running between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal, this coastal plain spans the coasts of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. Broader than its western counterpart, it emerges gradually into the sea, posing challenges for port development. Rivers like the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri form extensive deltas along this coast. Divided into the Northern Circar and the Coromandel Coast, notable features include the Chilika Lake in Odisha and the Krishna delta.

The Islands (Indian Geography)

India hosts two primary island groups: the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal and the Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Comprising approximately 572 islands/islets, these lie between 6°N – 14°N latitude and 92°E – 94°E longitude. The archipelago includes the Ritchie’s Archipelago and Labrynth Island, with the Andaman group to the north and Nicobar to the south, separated by the Ten Degree Channel. These islands are believed to be elevated portions of submarine mountains, featuring the active volcano Barren Island and coral-rich coastlines.
Lakshadweep Islands: Scattered between 8°N – 12°N latitude and 71°E – 74°E longitude, these islands consist of approximately 36 islets, with 11 inhabited. The largest island, Minicoy, lies to the south and is the administrative hub of Lakshadweep. These coral islands, located southwest of the Kerala coast, are renowned for their biodiversity, featuring a bird sanctuary on Pitti Island and extensive coral deposits.

Conclusion: Indian Geography

The geography of India presents a diverse and fascinating tapestry of landforms, climates, and ecosystems. From the lofty peaks of the Himalayas to the expansive plains of the Ganges basin, and from the arid deserts of Rajasthan to the lush greenery of the Western Ghats, India boasts a rich variety of natural features. The intricate network of rivers, including the sacred Ganges and the mighty Brahmaputra, sustains agriculture and livelihoods across the country.