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Political Map of India: India is officially known as the Republic of India. It is the second most populated country in the world and the world’s largest democracy. And seventh-largest country in the world and second-largest in Asia in terms of land area. It has a diverse geography, consisting of hills, mountains, plains, plateaus, and deserts. India consists of 28 states and 8 union territories. Broadly, India is divided into East India, West India, North India, South India, and Central India.
The political map of India shows all the states and union territories of India along with their capital and cities. The Indian Political Map outlines the territorial boundaries, major cities, state and union territory capitals, and other essential features of the country’s political geography. The map demarcates India’s 28 states and eight union territories, naming them and assigning each one a unique colour or symbol.
The political map of India shows the location and borders of its states and union territories.
The political map of India shows the boundaries and locations of geographic areas that are controlled by governments or political entities. These entities may include countries, states, provinces, territories, or other administrative divisions.
Political maps are used in education to help students understand the basics of geography. They are also used for orientation and travel planning. Political maps are often found in an atlas that can be used to help someone navigate, plan or even decide on a location to live.
A political map shows the political features of a given area. These features can include things like: countries, states, provinces, cities, towns, major highways and major water structures. The Political maps show features of the region. Some examples of political features that are shown on political maps are: Borders, Roads, Public transportation, Cities and towns, Bodies of water, Countries, Small regions.
Each feature of a political map serves a different purpose and is important for understanding the region that the map is depicting. The political map of India is significant in terms of international relations, as it shows India’s borders with its neighbouring countries. The map is a useful tool for understanding the country, its diverse population, and its complex political landscape.
Indian Political Map Outline
India has a coastline of 7,516.6 kilometres that stretches along the Arabian Sea in the west, the Bay of Bengal in the east, and the Indian Ocean to the south. The country is located in South Asia. It is divided into 28 states and 8 union territories. India has a federal system of government, where power is shared between the central government and the state governments. Each state has its own chief minister and governor, who are responsible for the administration of that state. But union territories are run directly by the central government. The capital of India is New Delhi, which is located in the north-central part of the country.
Here is the outline of India’s political map: –
North: The northern region of India includes states like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi.
East: The eastern region of India includes states like Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, and the seven northeastern states.
West: The western region of India includes states like Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
South: The southern region of India includes states like Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
Picture of Political Map of India
New Political Map of India with States and Union Territories
The political map of India clearly shows the boundaries of each state and union territory. The map also features prominent natural landmarks such as rivers, mountains, and deserts of each state. The political map of India also highlights the capital cities of each state and union territory. Every state in India has its own unique culture, history, language, and traditions. India’s 10 largest cities are Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Surat, Pune, and Jaipur.
The 28 states of India are Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal. Each state has its own capital, which is the center of political power in that state.
India also has 8 union territories, which are Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep, Delhi, Puducherry, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. These union territories are under the direct control of the central government and are administered by an administrator appointed by the federal government.
States are represented in the Indian Parliament through Members of Parliament (MPs) in the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States). Each state and territory has its unique culture and governance, contributing to India’s diversity.
Significance of Political Map of India
The political map of India is significant as it provides a comprehensive visual representation and overview of India’s geographical location, states, capitals, cities, highways, and important political entities.
■ Political maps of India are used to identify the location of different states, districts, and cities.
■ Political map shows major public transportation networks like subways, trains, ferries and bus networks. Borders on a political map show the invisible lines that mark different boundaries.
■ The map provides useful information about the physical boundaries of different states of India, which is helpful in understanding India’s political geography.
■ The political map highlights important transportation networks such as highways, railways, and airports. The map features the location of major mineral resources such as coal mines, oil fields, and ore deposits.
■ It helps in understanding the demographic characteristics of each state, such as population, literacy rate, and the number of seats in the parliament.
■ The political map of India is a tool used by the Government to promote regional development. The map also serves as a reference point for planning and development programs.
Political Map of India 2024: Key Takeaways
● Political maps are a significant tool for tracking political changes, territorial disputes, and regional conflicts worldwide. They help individuals to learn more about a particular region’s history, culture, and governance system, and makes it easier to analyse geopolitical issues and make informed decisions.
● The geography of India is diverse and includes mountain ranges, plains, plateaus, beaches, and tropical forests, among other natural features.
● Political maps are commonly used for educational, geographical, and historical purposes and provide useful information on geopolitical alliances, trade routes, military bases, and other important landmarks.
● The total area of India is approximately 3.3 million square kilometres or 1.27 million square miles. India is the seventh-largest country in the world by geographical area.
● The location of neighboring countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar are depicted on the map.
● India is a federal union comprising 28 states and 8 union territories. The states are further divided into districts and administrative divisions. Each state has its own legislative assembly and government, headed by a chief minister.
● The political map is subject to change due to administrative decisions or geopolitical events.
● Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state in India. Rajasthan is the largest state in India by area.
Political Map of India – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a political map?
The political map of India shows the location and borders of its 28 states and 8 union territories.
What are the major international borders of India?
India shares its borders with Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.
Are there special provisions for certain states in India?
Yes, certain states have special provisions based on historical and regional considerations. For example, Jammu and Kashmir had special autonomy, but this changed in 2019 with the abrogation of Article 370.
How is the political map of India divided?
The political map of India is divided into states and Union Territories. States have their own governments, while Union Territories are directly governed by the central government.
Which Indian state has the most cities?
The Indian state with the most cities is Uttar Pradesh. It boasts a significant number of urban centers, contributing to its status as the state with the highest count of cities within its boundaries.
