Key Facts
Location
South Asia
Time
GMT + 5.5
Area
3,166,414 sq km (1,222,582 sq miles)
Population
1.1 billion (estimate 2007)
Population Density
347 per sq km
Capital
New Delhi. Population: 16.6 million (estimate 2007)
Geography
India shares borders to the northwest with Pakistan, to the north with China, Nepal and Bhutan, and to the east with Bangladesh and Myanmar. To the west lies the Arabian Sea, to the east the Bay of Bengal and to the south the Indian Ocean. Sri Lanka lies off the southeast coast, and the Maldives off the southwest coast. The far northeastern states and territories are all but separated from the rest of India by Bangladesh as it extends northwards from the Bay of Bengal towards Bhutan. The Himalayan mountain range to the north and the Indus River (west) and Ganges River (east) form a physical barrier between India and the rest of Asia.
Government
Republic since 1947
Language
The main language is Hindi which is spoken by about 40% of the population; English is also enshrined in the constitution for a wide range of official purposes. In addition, 17 regional languages are recognized by the constitution. The Muslim population largely speaks Urdu.
Electricity
230-240 volts AC, 50Hz. Some areas have a DC supply. Plugs used are of the round two- and three-pin type.
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Overview
India is a mystical land that presents the traveler with an astonishing array of unforgettable experiences. Hinduism, the prominent religion, is intimately woven into the fabric of everyday life, reflected in an extraordinary range of time-honored traditions. Apart from its ancient spiritual framework, India's vastness also challenges the imagination, being home to one sixth of the world's population.
Its intoxicatingly rich history can be traced back to at least 2500BC when the first known civilization settled along the Indus River. There was an influx of Mughals in the 1520s from Central Asia, who maintained effective control of the north until the mid-18th century. At the end of that century, as the Mughal Empire declined, the British took control of the whole subcontinent, and India was administered by a single alien power.
The Indian National Congress was formed in 1885, but made little progress on independence until Mahatma Gandhi began the policy of non-violent non-cooperation with the British. But the Congress itself was later split on the issue of Hindus and Muslims. The Muslims, under Mohammad Ali Jinnah, claimed a separate homeland and in August 1947 the independent states of India and Pakistan came into being. Since this time, India has been a democratic republic.
Such a rich history has spawned an incredible number of exquisite palaces, temples and monuments. The most frequently visited part of India is the Golden Triangle, comprised of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. Meanwhile, the cities of Mumbai (Bombay) and Kolkata (Calcutta) have a bustling, colorful charm, while the holy city of Varanasi and the awe-inspiring temples of Tamil Nadu are rewarding places of pilgrimage. For those in search of tropical bliss, there are the palm-fringed beaches of Goa and Kerala. And for fresh air and serenity, India ripples with pristine mountains and hills, from the towering beauty of the mighty Himalayas to a bevy of beautiful pine forests, orchards and babbling streams.
One of the greatest fascinations of India is the startling juxtaposition of old and new; centuries of history rubbing shoulders with the trappings of modern-day living, from slick Internet cafes and fancy fast-food eateries, to sophisticated bars and chic boutiques.
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Further Information
Related City Guides
Top Things To Do
• Listen to the evocative instruments of Indian music, such as the sitar, sarod and the subtle rhythm of the tabla. Note the variety of dance forms, each with its own costumes and elaborate language of gestures.
• Experience India's majestic deserts. Jaisalmer, in Rajasthan, holds the Desert Festival in January/February each year. Pushkar in October/November hosts the fascinating Camel Fair.
• Play golf on the highest golf course in the world, at Gulmarg. From here there are good views of Nanga Parbat, one of the highest mountains on earth. In winter, Gulmarg is transformed into a lively ski resort (website: http://www.skihimalaya.com/).
• Party in Goa. Although much less mellow than in the heady days of the 1960s, there are still some fabulous full moon parties in places such as Anjuna.
• While in Goa, attend the spectacular Carnival, held on the three days leading up to Ash Wednesday.
• Snorkel in the Andaman Islands, in the Bay of Bengal, a lushly forested archipelago that has exotic plant life and a wide variety of corals and tropical fish.
• Take the ‘Toy Train' to Darjeeling through fragrant tea gardens and pine forest. Darjeeling commands fine views of Khangchendzonga (Kanchenjunga) (8,586m/28,169ft), the third-highest mountain in the world.
• Take part in the Durga Puja (September/October) in Kolkata (Calcutta). One of the biggest Hindu religious festivals in India, it is full of color and noise, held in honor of the goddess Durga.
• Go mountaineering, or trekking. Shimla, in Himachal Pradesh, is the base for treks into the beautiful Kullu Valley, while Kodaikanal is a popular base for treks in Tamil Nadu.
• Cruise along the tropical backwaters of Kerala, pausing en route to visit sleepy villages and assorted touristic sites.
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