India background
- Flag of India
India, the second most populous nation in the world, is located in Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan. The terrain is upland plain (Deccan Plateau) in the south, flat to rolling plain along the Ganges, deserts in west, and Himalayas in the north. Administratively, India is divided into 28 states and 7 union territories. The capital is New Delhi. The currency is Indian Rupee (INR).
Climate - varies from tropical monsoon in the south to temperate in the north.
History - The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world, dates back at least 5,000 years. Home to important trade routes and vast empires, India has long played a major role in human history.
Economy & Industry - Most of India's industrial regions are centered on major cities. The present day Indian economy is growing to be a world leader in knowledge-based industries and the service sector. India produces one of the largest numbers of qualified engineers and doctors in the whole world, and this is reflected in its phenomenal growth of software, pharmaceutical, and R&D industries.
country comparison
| India | USA | |
| Population | 1,129.866 million | 301 million |
| Land Mass | 1,161,402 sq. ml | 3,536,277 |
| Average Annual Income | $3,800 | $43,800 |
| Life Expectancy | 68.6 years | 78 years |
| Access to Adequate Sanitation | 30% | 100% |
| Access to Safe Water | 86% | 100% |
| Under 5 Mortality rate | 34.6 deaths/1000 live births | 6.4 deaths/live births |
The People of India
India is home to a multitude of religions, philosophies, ethnic groups and social classes. With a population of just over one billion, India will soon outstrip China as the world's most populous country.
Religion - India doesn't have state religion. Although 80.5% of the people are Hindus, India is also home to the third-largest Muslim population in the world.
Language - India is home to two major linguistic families: Indo-Aryan (spoken by about 74% of the population) and Dravidian (spoken by about 24%). The Indian constitution recognizes 23 official languages. Hindi and English are used by the Central Government for official purposes.
Health conditions - Indians are subject to health problems caused by deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; desertification; air pollution from industrial effluents and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage and runoff of agricultural pesticides. Tap water is not potable throughout the country. Only around 30 percent of urban populations has adequate sewage disposal, and nearly all rural populations function without even the most basic sanitation.
Growing number of child laborers
India has 375 million children, more than any other country in the world. More than 75 million children continue to suffer from malnutrition. Malnutrition affects nearly half of all children under age five.
Children are also the main targets of the labor market. Many of India's children are forced into the labor market as young as three years old. According to the National Labor Institute, about 74.4 million children in the country are not in school and not a part of the labor force: their daily existence is virtually unaccounted for.
Culture of India
India has a rich and unique cultural heritage, and has managed to preserve the bulk of its established traditions throughout history. Many cultural practices, languages, customs and even monuments illustrate the co-mingling that has occurred between its diverse inhabitants over the centuries. Modern architecture, science, music, dance, and literature are the result of this ancient legacy.
Pastimes - The favorite pastime in India is going to the movies. Card-playing is another favorite pastime since medieval days - it was very popular with royalty. Delhi's latest favorite pastime is riding on the Metro!
India has an impressive record in Hockey after winning eight Olympic gold medals. Hockey is officially the national sport. Other popular games are football, basketball, volleyball and badminton. Cricket has become a very popular game.
Holidays & Festivals - A melting pot of many religions, India has a rich diversity of festivals, and many are celebrated by one and all. The most widely known and popular celebrations include the Hindu festivals of Diwali, Holi, and Dussehra. Click here to find more Indian holidays on Earth Calendar.
Indian Cuisine - The Hindu vegetarian tradition is widespread in India, although many Hindus eat meat now. The Muslim tradition is most evident in the cooking of meats. A typical North-Indian meal would consist of chapatis or rotis (unleavened bread baked on a griddle) or parathas (unleavened bread fried on a griddle), rice and an assortment of accessories like dals, fried vegetables, curries, curd, chutney, and pickles. South Indian food is largely non-greasy - most frequently roasted or steamed. Rice is the staple diet and forms the basis of every meal. It is usually served with sambhar, rasam (a thin soup), dry and curried vegetables and a curd preparation called pachadi.
Statistics and information from CIA World Factbook, Wikipedia and UNICEF.
