Why is the north-south extent of India larger than east-west extent even though the latitudinal and longitudinal extent in degrees is of the same value?

The north-south extent of India is larger than the east-west extent due to the convergence of longitudinal lines towards the poles. Although India's latitudinal and longitudinal extents may have the same value in degrees, the actual distance covered by a degree of longitude decreases as one moves towards the poles. This is because the lines of longitude converge towards the poles, resulting in a smaller east-west distance between two meridians at higher latitudes compared to lower latitudes.

India is located closer to the equator, where the lines of longitude are spaced farther apart. As a result, the east-west extent of India covers a smaller distance in terms of physical geography compared to the north-south extent. Conversely, the latitudinal extent of India, which runs from the northernmost point in Jammu and Kashmir to the southernmost point in Kanyakumari, covers a larger distance in physical geography due to the wider spacing of lines of latitude near the equator.

In summary, while the latitudinal and longitudinal extents of India may have the same numerical value in degrees, the physical distances covered in the north-south direction (latitudinal extent) are greater than those covered in the east-west direction (longitudinal extent) due to the convergence of longitudinal lines towards the poles.

the latitudinal and longitudinal extents of India may have the same numerical value in degrees, the physical distances covered in the north-south direction (latitudinal extent) are greater than those covered in the east-west direction (longitudinal extent) due to the convergence of longitudinal lines towards the poles.