Explanation: To understand which Indian metropolitan city is nearest to the equator, it is essential to consider the geographical coordinates of each city. The equator is an imaginary line that circles the Earth, dividing it into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. It is located at 0 degrees latitude.
Among the major metropolitan cities in India, Chennai is the southernmost city and thus the closest to the equator. Chennai is located at approximately 13 degrees north latitude, which is the lowest latitude among the listed cities. This means that Chennai is the nearest to the equator compared to the other cities.
Bombay (Mumbai), located at approximately 19 degrees north latitude, is farther from the equator than Chennai. Mumbai is situated on the western coast of India, making it a significant distance north of Chennai.
Calcutta (Kolkata), located at approximately 22.5 degrees north latitude, is even farther from the equator than Mumbai. Kolkata is in the eastern part of India and is much farther north than Chennai.
Delhi, located at approximately 28.5 degrees north latitude, is the farthest from the equator among the listed cities. Delhi is in the northern part of India and is significantly north of Chennai.
In summary, the proximity of a city to the equator is determined by its latitude. Chennai, being the southernmost of the listed cities, is the closest to the equator. Understanding the geographical coordinates of cities is crucial for determining their relative positions in relation to the equator.