India's neighbours

Seven by land, two by sea — count them clockwise round the map.

The question

How many countries share a land border with India?

The trick

Trace the map clockwise starting from the north-west and name them in order — the sequence stops you missing any.

Worked example

1North-west: Pakistan, then Afghanistan (a short border in the far north)
2North: China, Nepal, Bhutan
3East: Bangladesh, then Myanmar
4By sea only: Sri Lanka and the Maldives

So: Seven

Remember it like this

Clockwise from Pakistan: **P**akistan, **A**fghanistan, **C**hina, **N**epal, **B**hutan, **B**angladesh, **M**yanmar. Sri Lanka and the Maldives float offshore.

In the exam

India's longest land border is with Bangladesh and its shortest is with Afghanistan. Both are asked far more often than the list itself.

Why it works

Going round in a single direction turns nine separate facts into one continuous movement. You are recalling a path, not a list.

Explain this to my childGet the words to teach it, in your language

Try it yourself

0/3 correct

1
How many countries share a land border with India? (number only)
How many countries share a land border with India? (number only)
2
India shares its longest land border with which country?
India shares its longest land border with which country?
3
Which two countries are India's maritime neighbours?
Which two countries are India's maritime neighbours?