India

About India
Bounded by the majestic Himalayan ranges in the north and edged by an endless stretch of golden beaches, India offers itself as a fascinating tourist destination in south Asia. Teeming with vivid kaleidoscope of landscapes, magnificent historical sites and royal cities, misty mountain retreats, colourful people, rich cultures and festivities, the country is a travel haven for millions of tourists from all over the world. It has an area of 1,269,345.6 square miles (3,287,590 sq km), making it the seventh largest country in the world, following Russia, Canada, the United States, China, Brazil, and Australia.

With snowcapped Himalayan peaks, emerald green Kerala backwaters, verdant jungles and sweeping desert plains, India's diversity enthralls visitors. A trip to India leaves lasting impressions of an ancient land populated by an eclectic people whose rich history and traditions are still ingrained in daily life.

Geography:
India is divided in to 28 states with six union territories. The country is bordered by Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Maldives. India’s geography is a mix of hills, plateaus, mountains, rivers, deserts, and rainforests. So you will find different weathers, climates, which ultimately influence cultures and traditions.

The variations in the geography affect food habits, living conditions and occupations across the country. The vegetables and fruits that grow all are dependant on the geographical conditions.

Population:
The population is more diverse when it comes to languages. The country has 14 official languages, with Hindi being the most spoken native language (41%), but English having associate status and being used for politics and business. Other official languages include Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Kashmiri, Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, and Telugu. The literacy rate is 61%.
India is second in population, following China, with an estimated 1,147,995,904 people. While most of the population is ethnically Indo-Aryan (72%), 25% are Dravidian and 3% are Mongoloid or other. The people of India are primarily Hindu (80.5%); with 13.4% Muslims, 2.3% Christians, and 1.0% Sikhs.

Weather:
The weather in India can be classified in four categories, Winter – from November to February, Summer – from March to May, the monsoons set in June – September, withdrawal of the Monsoons in October with a hint of Spring and a cooler climate in November.