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India, the land of Spiritual
awakening and self discovery has a very ancient history
dating back to 5000 years. It is one of the worlds
largest democracy, The world's seventh largest country
in area and India ranks second only to China among the
world's most populous countries.
India is home to several major religions and the quest
for her riches had led to the discovery of America by
the European explorers. India is a Sovereign, Secular,
Socialist Republic consisting of 28 states and 7 union
territories. She is surrounded by the Arabian Sea on the
west, the Indian Ocean in the South and the Bay of
Bengal on her East. India occupies more than 3 million
sq km (1 million sq mi), encompassing a varied landscape
rich in natural resources.
The Indian Peninsula forms a rough triangle framed on
the north by the world's highest mountains, the
Himalayas, and on the east, south, and west by oceans.
Its topography varies from the barren dunes of the Thar
desert to the dense tropical forests of rain-drenched
Assam state.
Much of India, however, consists of fertile
river plains and high plateaus. Several major rivers,
including the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Indus, flow
through India. Arising in the northern mountains and
carrying rich alluvial soil to the plains below, these
mighty rivers have supported agriculture-based
civilizations for thousands of years.
The length of India from north to south is 3,050 km
(1,900 mi); from east to west it is 2,950 km (1,830 mi).
India also has two island chains, each forming its own
union territory. The Andaman and Nicobar island chain
lies east of the mainland between the Bay of Bengal and
the Andaman Sea. The Lakshadweep island group is located
off India's southwest coast.
Excluding the portions of Jammu and Kashmir claimed by
India but occupied by Pakistan and China, India has an
area of 3,165,596 sq km (1,222,243 sq mi). India's land
frontier-the length of its border with other
countries-measures more than 15,200 km (9,400 mi). It
also has 7,600 km (4,700 mi) of coastline, including the
island territories.
Climate varies from temperate in the North to tropical
monsoon. in the South. She is rich natural resources,
flora and fauna too. Her inhabitants speak 24 languages
each spoken by a million or more persons; numerous other
languages and dialects exists but the predominant among
them is Hindi, spoken by 30% of the population mostly in
the North.
The level of education, communications and
transportation is well developed when compared to other
countries in the South Asia region. India accounts for
nearly 10 million internet users and is slated to grow
25 million by the year 2007.
Having a diverse culture , India is known for its unity
in diversity. 7000 kms of her shoreline are laden with
maritime ports chief among them are Mumbai ( Bombay),
Kochi (Cochin), Chennai ( Madras) and Kolkotta
(Calcutta).
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