Q.India is the seventh largest country in the world in terms of total land area including land and water. Write the value of the land area of our country (in terms of percentage) of the world. Mention then, what makes India one of the 12 mega diversity countries of the world.
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Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →India occupies approximately 2.4% of the world's total land area. Its mega-diversity status stems from an extraordinary range of climatic zones, topography, and biogeographic realms compressed into this relatively small space, supporting roughly 7–8% of all recorded species on Earth.
Why land area matters for biodiversity
A country's share of global land area sets the stage for understanding its ecological significance. India's modest 2.4% footprint becomes remarkable when you realize it harbors a disproportionately large fraction of the planet's life forms. This mismatch between area and diversity is precisely what defines a mega-diversity nation.
The percentage itself comes from a straightforward calculation: India's land area is approximately 3.287 million km², while Earth's total land surface (excluding Antarctica) is roughly 135 million km². Dividing these gives:
3.287 million km² / 135 million km² x 100 = approximately 2.4%
What makes India a mega-diversity hotspot
The 12 mega-diversity countries together account for 60–70% of Earth's biodiversity. India earned its place through a unique convergence of factors:
1. Extreme climatic variation
From the alpine cold of the Himalayas (perpetual snow above 5,000 m) to the tropical heat of Kerala's rainforests and the arid Thar Desert, India spans nearly every major climate type. Each zone nurtures distinct communities of life.
2. Topographic diversity
The country compresses mountains, plateaus, plains, coasts, and islands into one landmass. The Western Ghats and Eastern Himalayas are recognized biodiversity hotspots—regions with exceptional endemism and habitat loss.
3. Biogeographic crossroads
India sits at the junction of three major biogeographic realms: the Palearctic (temperate north), the Indo-Malayan (tropical southeast), and the Afro-tropical (via historical connections). Species from all three intermingle here.
4. Geological history
India was once part of Gondwana, carrying ancient lineages. Its collision with Asia created the Himalayas and isolated populations, driving speciation. The peninsula's long coastline adds marine and coastal ecosystems.
5. Sheer species richness
India hosts:
- Over 45,000 plant species (about 11% of global flora), with ~5,000 endemics
- 91,000+ animal species (7% of global fauna) …
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