India: Country Overview

Geography

• Location: South Asia, bordered by Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar
• Area: 3,287,590 km² (1,269,219 sq mi)
• Coastline: 7,517 km (4,670 mi) along the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal
• Terrain: Varied, with mountains, plateaus, and plains
• Climate: Tropical, subtropical, and temperate, with monsoon seasons

Population

• Total: Over 1.38 billion (2020 estimate)
• Density: 460 people per km² (1,190 people per sq mi)
• Urban population: 34% (2020 estimate)
• Major cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad

Economy

• Developing economy, with a growing service sector
• GDP: $2.76 trillion (2020 estimate)
• Agriculture: 15% of GDP, with major crops including rice, wheat, and cotton
• Industry: 25% of GDP, with major industries including textiles, software, and pharmaceuticals
• Services: 60% of GDP, with major sectors including IT, finance, and tourism

History

• Ancient civilizations: Indus Valley Civilization (3300-1300 BCE), Vedic Period (1500-500 BCE)
• Medieval period: Mughal Empire (1526-1756), Maratha Empire (1674-1818)
• British colonial period: British East India Company (1612-1757), British Raj (1858-1947)
• Independence: August 15, 1947

Government

• Federal republic with a parliamentary system
• President: Head of state and commander-in-chief
• Prime Minister: Head of government
• Bicameral parliament: Lok Sabha (House of the People) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States)

Culture

• Diverse culture with influences from Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, and Christianity
• Official languages: Hindi and English
• Recognized languages: 22, including Bengali, Telugu, and Tamil
• Festivals: Diwali, Holi, Navratri, and Ganesh Chaturthi
• Cuisine: Varied, with popular dishes including tandoori chicken, biryani, and curries