Overview
India is a country in South Asia with a rich cultural heritage and a variety of landscapes:
Size
India is the seventh largest country in the world, covering 1,269,346 square miles.
Location
India is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the south, the Bay of Bengal to the east, and the Arabian Sea to the west. It shares borders with Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.
Terrain
India’s terrain ranges from the snow-capped Himalayas in the north to the tropical rainforests in the south.
Population
India’s population is estimated to be 1.40 billion in 2022. It is expected to become the most populated country in the world, surpassing China’s population in 2028.
Government
India is a federal constitutional republic with a parliamentary system of government.
Economy
India is a rising economic powerhouse and has the world’s third-largest economy in purchasing power parity terms.
History
India is home to some of the world’s oldest civilizations.
Culture
India has many sacred sites and time-honored rituals.
Holidays
Major holidays in India include Independence Day on August 15 and Republic Day on January 26. Popular religious festivals include Vasantpanchami, Holi, Dussehra, and Diwali.
Highlights
- • Visit UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mumbai
- Visit holy pilgrimage in Kanchipuram home to many temples. The 8th-century Kailasanathar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva
- Explore the heritage site of Madurai famous for Dravidian-style temple
- • Enjoy the wildlife safari at Periyar protected Wildlife Sanctuary and Lake elephant and tiger reserve
- • Historic Parsi Synagogue, Dutch Palace, St Francis Church, Fort Cochin, colorful boats and Chinese Fishing nets on the waterfront in Kochi
