Explanation: The Tropic of Cancer is a significant latitudinal line that marks the northernmost point where the sun can be directly overhead at noon. It is located at approximately 23.5° North latitude and is an important geographical boundary in the study of Indian states.
In India, the Tropic of Cancer passes through several states, including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Tripura. These states are located in the northern and northeastern parts of the country, and their latitudinal positions place them within the range of the Tropic of Cancer.
Rajasthan, located in the northwestern part of India, is one of the states crossed by the Tropic of Cancer. This is because its northern boundary extends into the latitudinal range of the Tropic of Cancer. Similarly, Chhattisgarh, located in central India, and Tripura, located in the northeastern part of India, are also crossed by the Tropic of Cancer due to their respective latitudinal positions.
On the other hand, Odisha, located in the eastern part of India, is situated south of the Tropic of Cancer. Its latitudinal position places it below the 23.5° North latitude, and therefore, it is not crossed by the Tropic of Cancer. This is a common point of confusion as Odisha is often mistakenly thought to be crossed by the Tropic of Cancer due to its geographical location.
Understanding the latitudinal positions of Indian states and their relationship to the Tropic of Cancer is crucial for geographical knowledge and competitive exams. It is important to remember the states that the Tropic of Cancer passes through and those that it does not, such as Odisha, to avoid common misconceptions and errors in geographical assessments.