India

The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world, goes back at least 5,000 years.
Arab incursions starting in the 8th century and Turkish in 12th were followed by European traders beginning in the late 15th century. By the 19th century, Britain had assumed political control of virtually all Indian lands. Nonviolent resistance to British colonialism under Mohandas GANDHI and Jawaharlal NEHRU led to independence in 1947.
The subcontinent was divided into the secular state of India and the smaller Muslim state of Pakistan. A third war between the two countries in 1971 resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh.
Fundamental concerns in India include the ongoing dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir, massive overpopulation, environmental degradation, extensive poverty, and ethnic strife, all this despite impressive gains in economic investment and output.
(Source: CIA - The World Factbook)

border countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma (Myanmar), China (Xizang - Tibet Autonomous Region), Nepal, Pakistan

related countries: Portugal, United Kingdom

Official Name:
Bharat Ganarajya
local short form: Bharat
Int'l conventional long form: Republic of India
Int'l conventional short form: India

ISO Country Code: in
Local Time = UTC +5:30h

Country Calling Code: +91

Capital City: New Delhi
The Municipality of New Delhi (pop. 11 million).

Other Cities:
Mumbai Bombay
Mumbai Metropolitan Region (formerly Bombay, pop. 15 million)
Chennai, formerly Madras (pop. 6 million), Calcutta (12 million); ; Bangalore (5 million); Hyderabad (5 million); Ahmedabad (3.7 million)

Government:
Federal Republic
Independence: 15 August 1947 (from United Kingdom).

Geography:
Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan.
Area: 3.3 million sq. km. (1.3 million sq. mi.)
Terrain: varies from Himalayas to flat river valleys.

Climate: Varies from tropical monsoon in south to temperate in north.

People:
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Indian(s).
Population (1999 est.): one billion; urban population 32%.
Ethnic groups: Indo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, Mongoloid 2%, others.
Religions: Hindu 81.3%, Muslim 12%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other groups including Buddhist, Jain, Parsi 2.5%.
Languages: Hindi, English, and 16 other official languages. Literacy: 65%.

Natural resources: Coal, iron, manganese, mica, bauxite, chromite, thorium, limestone, barite, titanium ore, diamonds, crude oil.

Agriculture products: Rice, wheat, oilseed, cotton, jute, tea, sugarcane, potatoes; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats, poultry; fish.

Industries: Textiles, chemicals, food processing, steel, transportation equipment, cement, mining, petroleum, machinery, software.

Currency: Indian Rupee (INR)

India in numbers
More India Statistical Data.