India is located in South Asia between latitudes 8°4'N and 37°6'N and longitudes 68°7'E and 97°25'E. It has a total area of 3.28 million square km and is the 7th largest country in the world. India shares land borders with Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. The Arabian Sea lies to the west and the Bay of Bengal to the east. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep islands are also parts of India. India's central location between East and West Asia allows it to establish close contact with countries in these regions as well as Africa and Europe.