Concept notes: The Tropic of Cancer is an imaginary line that circles the Earth at approximately 23.5 degrees north of the equator. It marks the northernmost point where the sun can be directly overhead at noon. In India, the Tropic of Cancer passes through several states, including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Tripura. It does not pass through Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh.
Explanation: The question tests the knowledge of geographical facts about India, specifically focusing on the area of India, the path of the Tropic of Cancer, and India's ranking among the world's largest countries.
The Tropic of Cancer is an important geographical line that marks the northernmost point where the sun can be directly overhead at noon. It is located at approximately 23.5 degrees north of the equator. In India, the Tropic of Cancer passes through several states, including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Tripura. It does not pass through Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh, which is a common misconception. This error might arise from a lack of detailed geographical knowledge about the path of the Tropic of Cancer.
The area of India is approximately 3,287,263 square kilometers, which is about 3.28 million square kilometers. This figure is widely accepted and used in geographical contexts. India's land area is approximately 2.4% of the world's total land surface area, which is a significant percentage considering the vastness of the Earth's landmass.
India is the seventh-largest country in the world by area, following Russia, Canada, China, the United States, Brazil, and Australia. This ranking is based on the total land area of each country and is a well-established fact in geographical studies.
Understanding these geographical facts is crucial for students preparing for competitive examinations such as UPSC, SSC, Bank PO, and State PSC, where questions on Indian geography are frequently asked. It is important to have a clear understanding of the path of the Tropic of Cancer, the area of India, and its global ranking to avoid common misconceptions and answer such questions accurately.