India description for children. The highest legislative body. National characteristics of India. Traditions

Territory - 3.28 million km 2.

Population -1 billion 16 million people.

The capital is Delhi.

Geographical location, general information

The Republic of India is located in South Asia on the Hindustan Peninsula. It also includes the Laccadive Islands in the Arabian Sea and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal. India borders Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar. The maximum length of India is from north to south - 3200 km, from west to east - 2700 km.

India's EGP is conducive to economic development: India is located on maritime trade routes from the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean, halfway between the Middle and Far East.

Indian civilization arose in the third millennium BC. e. For almost two centuries, India was a colony of England. India gained independence in 1947, and in 1950 it was declared a republic within the British Commonwealth.

India is a federal republic consisting of 25 states. Each of them has its own legislative assembly and government, but while maintaining a strong central government.

Natural conditions and resources

The main part of the territory is located within the Indo-Gangetic Plain and the Deccan Plateau.

India's mineral resources are significant and varied. The main deposits are located in the northeast of the country. Here are the largest iron ore, coal basins, and manganese ore deposits; this creates favorable conditions for the development of heavy industry.

The mineral resources of South India are diverse - bauxite, chromite, magnesite. brown coal, graphite, mica, diamonds, gold, monazite sands, ferrous metal ores, coal; in Gujarat and on the continental shelf - oil.

The climate of the country is mainly monsoonal subtropical and tropical, in the south it is equatorial. The average annual temperature is about 25° C, only in winter in the mountains it drops below 0°. The distribution of precipitation by season and across the territory is uneven - 80% of it occurs in the summer, the eastern and mountainous regions receive the greatest amount, the northwest receives the smallest.

Land resources are the natural wealth of the country, since a significant part of the soil has high fertility.

Forests occupy 22% of India's area, but there is not enough forest for economic needs.

Indian rivers have great energy potential and are also the main source of artificial irrigation.

Population

India is the second most populous country in the world (after China). The country has a very high population reproduction rate. And although the peak of the “demographic explosion” has generally passed, the demographic problem has not yet lost its urgency.

India is the most multinational country in the world. It is home to representatives of several hundred nations, nationalities and tribal groups, at different stages of socio-economic development and speaking different languages. They belong to the Caucasoid, Negroid, Australoid races and the Dravidian group.

The peoples of the Indo-European family predominate: Hindustani, Marathi, Bengalis, Biharis, etc. The official languages in the country are Hindi and English.

More than 80% of the inhabitants of India are Hindus, 11% are Muslims. The complex ethnic and religious composition of the population often leads to conflicts and increased tension.

The distribution of the population of India is very uneven, since for a long time the fertile lowlands and plains in the valleys and deltas of rivers and on the sea coasts were primarily populated. Average population density is 260 people. per 1 km 2. Despite this high figure, sparsely populated and even deserted territories still exist.

The level of urbanization is quite low - 27%, but the number of large cities and million-dollar cities is constantly increasing; In terms of the absolute number of city residents (220 million people), India ranks 2nd in the world. However, most of India's population lives in crowded villages.

Industry, energy

India is a developing agro-industrial country with enormous resources and human potential. Along with India’s traditional industries (agriculture, light industry), the mining and manufacturing industries are developing.

Currently, 29% of GDP comes from industry, 32% from agriculture, 30% from the service sector.

Energy. The creation of the energy base in the country began with the creation of hydroelectric power stations, but thermal power plants predominate among the newly built power plants in recent years. The main source of energy is coal. Nuclear energy is also developing in India - 3 nuclear power plants are operating. The total capacity of Indian power plants is 94 thousand MW (1999).

Electricity production per capita is still very low.

Ferrous metallurgy. This is a growing industry. The current level is 23 million tons of steel (1998). The industry is represented by enterprises located mainly in the east of the country (Calcutta-Damodara industrial belt), as well as in the states of Bihar, Adhra Pradesh, etc.

Non-ferrous metallurgy is also developed in the east. The aluminum industry, based on local bauxite, stands out.

Mechanical engineering. India produces a variety of machine tool and transport engineering products (TVs, ships, cars, tractors, airplanes and helicopters). The industry is developing rapidly.

The leading centers of mechanical engineering are Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, Hyderabad, Bangalore.

In terms of production volume of the radio-electronic industry, India has taken second place in foreign Asia. The country produces a variety of radio equipment, color televisions, tape recorders, and communications equipment.

Chemical industry. In a country with such a role for agriculture, the production of mineral fertilizers is of exceptional importance. The importance of petrochemicals is also growing.

Light industry is a traditional branch of the economy, the main directions being cotton and jute, as well as clothing. There are textile factories in all major cities of the country. 25% of India's exports are made up of textile and clothing products.

The food industry is also traditional, producing products for the domestic and foreign markets. Indian tea is the most widely known in the world.

Agriculture

India is a country of ancient agricultural culture, one of the most important agricultural regions in the world.

Agriculture employs 3/5 of India's agricultural sector, but the use of mechanization is still insufficient.

4/5 of the value of agricultural products comes from crop production; agriculture requires irrigation (40% of the sown area is irrigated).

The main part of the arable land is occupied by food crops: rice, wheat, corn, barley, millet, legumes, potatoes.

The main industrial crops of India are cotton, jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and oilseeds.

There are two main agricultural seasons in India - summer and winter. The sowing of the most important crops (rice, cotton, jute) is carried out in the summer, during the summer monsoon rains; In winter, wheat, barley, etc. are sown.

As a result of several factors, including the “green revolution”, India is completely self-sufficient in grain.

Livestock farming is much inferior to crop production, although India ranks first in the world in terms of livestock numbers. Only milk and animal skins are used; meat is practically not consumed, since Indians are mostly vegetarians.

In coastal areas, fishing is of considerable importance.

Among other developing countries, India's transport is quite developed. In first place in importance are railway transport in internal transportation and sea transport in external transportation.

Foreign economic relations

India is still poorly involved in the MGRT, although foreign trade is of considerable importance to its economy. The main export items are light industry products, jewelry, agricultural goods, medicines, fuel resources; the share of machinery and equipment is growing.

The largest trading partners are the USA, Germany, Japan, Great Britain, Hong Kong.

India has long been a rich country where Europeans came to buy interesting goods, fragrant spices, colorful fabrics, precious metals and stones. The development of trade routes was facilitated by the unique and convenient location with access directly to the ocean. The lack of a competent government policy to preserve unique natural features and ecosystems has led to environmental disasters.

Geographical characteristics

The Republic of India is located in the southern part of Asia on the Hindustan Peninsula. The territory of the state is 3.3 million km. The country ranks seventh in area in the world.

India's neighbors are: Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Afghanistan. The country's maritime borders are adjacent to the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. The country is densely populated. The total population exceeds 1 billion 300 million people.

Nature

Mountains and plains

The country's topography is represented by high mountain ranges, plateaus and a large plain. The main and only mountain ranges of India are the Himalayas, which stretch along the borders of Nepal, Afghanistan and China.

The ranges within India's borders are still high mountains, but their structural complexity differs from the main ranges located in other countries. The highest point in India is Mount Kanchenjungu with a height above 8.5 thousand meters.

The flat part of the country stretches parallel to the Himalaya ridges. It is absolutely flat and its length is 2,400 km. The remaining territory of the state is fragmented plateaus...

Rivers and lakes

The rivers of India play a large role in the country and are the main source of water and means of irrigating fields and lands. At the same time, they are the cause of natural disasters and catastrophes. The most famous rivers of India: Ganges and Brahmaputra. In general, more than a dozen large rivers flow through the country. For some, the main source of water is rain. Recharge and the risk of flooding in their valleys occurs during the monsoon.

For other rivers, including large ones, the source of water is the glaciers of the Himalayas. The main periods of their overflow and release from the naturally low banks are the hot summer months. Many rivers in India flow into the Bay of Bengal.

There are practically no lakes in the country. Only small ones are available. They are concentrated mainly in the Himalayas. Among the large reservoirs of this type, only Lake Sambhar can be noted, which is used by the population for boiling down salt...

Seas surrounding India

The extremely advantageous location of the state, which has access to the ocean, several centuries ago determined the economic prosperity of the country. This location still matters today.

The coasts of India are washed by the waters of the ocean of the same name and the seas that make up its basin. These are the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and its waters of the northern Indian Ocean. The length of the state's coastline is 7.5 thousand km.

Plants and animals of India

India is one of the few countries that can boast of a variety of species of flora and fauna. There are endemics here. There are about a third of them. On the territory of the state you can find coconut palm, sandalwood, bamboo, banyan, etc. There are pine evergreen forests, monsoon forests, as well as mountain meadows.

In terms of animal diversity, the country has begun to lose ground over the past few decades. But here you can still find the Indian rhinoceros, Asiatic lion, Himalayan bear, and also leopard...

Climate of India

The climate of India is determined by the presence of the Himalayas and the Thar Desert. Mountains are a natural obstacle to cold air flows from Central Asia. It is for this reason that the air temperature in the country differs from the climate of states located in a similar zone.

In summer, monsoon winds with significant precipitation are attracted by the desert. It rains actively from mid-summer to mid-autumn. The country has the rainiest place on earth - the city of Cherrapunji, where the annual rainfall is 12,000 mm...

Resources

Natural Resources of India

India's natural resources are represented by large deposits of minerals, the list of which includes: manganese ores, iron ores, aluminum, precious stones and metals.

Forests occupy approximately a quarter of the country's territory and are a source of timber and feed for livestock, but do not fully meet the state's needs. The problem is deforestation in the Himalayas.

The lands in the country are infertile. They require a well-thought-out system of irrigation, processing and fertilization. Because of this, there are few clean pastures in the country and not enough fodder plants for animals.

Wind energy is actively used in India. The country ranks fifth in the world in terms of this method of energy generation...

Industry and Agriculture of India

The leader of the industrial sector in India is mechanical engineering. Basically, local enterprises are engaged in the production of parts and components for cars.

In the list of the main types of industry of the state, it is worth noting ferrous metallurgy and the production of coal. The textile industry is actively developing in the country, with significant investments being made in it.

Agriculture is represented by the production of wheat and rice...

Culture

Peoples of India

India is especially interesting for the mentality of its population. For a long time, an unusual social system existed here, in which there were different classes, the so-called castes. Residents classified them by profession, income level, place of residence or birth. According to traditions, representatives of different castes were not allowed to marry. Today, at the official level, all this has been canceled, but in practice there are representatives of orthodox views who adhere to the same principles...

The state of India is located in South Asia. It borders with Burma and Bangladesh in the east, with China, Nepal, Bhutan and Afghanistan in the north, with Pakistan in the west.

On the southern side it is washed by the Palk Strait and, on the eastern side by the Bay of Bengal, and on the western side by the Arabian Sea.

Today, India partly consists of territories of Kashmir and Jammu, which are disputed by Pakistan. The country's area is 3,165,596 square kilometers.

India can be roughly divided into 4 regions: the northern river valleys, the Himalayas, the Western and Eastern Ghats, and the Deccan plateau.

The Himalayas are the highest mountain system in the world with a width ranging from 160 to 320 kilometers, which stretches along the eastern and northern borders for 2400 km.

The highest mountain peaks that are entirely or partially located in India:

8598 m – Kanchendzhanga;
8126 m – Nanga Parabat;
7817 m – Nanda Devi;
7788 m – Rakaposhi;
7756 m – Kamet.

Parallel to the Himalayas in the south is the region of the northern river valleys - this region is a flat strip reaching a width of 400 km. This region occupied most of the plain region along which the Brahmaputra, Ganges and Indus flow. Western and central India receives water from the Ganges and the Ganges Valley (its tributaries).

The Brahmaputra flows into Bangladesh and originates in the northern Himalayas– it is from this that the Assam region receives water. The Indus flows into Pakistan, originating in Tibet.

The region of the northern river valleys is the most populated region of the country, and this is due to its fertile lands and abundance of water. It was in this region that Indian civilization began.

The Deccan Plateau, which has a triangular shape, is located to the south of this region and occupies almost the entire area of the Indian Peninsula. The height of this plateau varies from 300 m to 900 m, but sometimes you can find chains with a height of up to 1200 m. The plateau is crossed in many places by rivers. From the west and east, the plateau is framed by the Western Ghats (rising to a height of up to 900 m) and the Eastern Ghats (rising to a height of up to 460 m).

As of 1998, India's population is estimated to be over 984 million, with an average population density per square kilometer of 311.

Ethnic groups:

If we talk about India as a whole, more than 1,600 languages and dialects are used in this country.

Religion:

80% are Hindus;
14 percent are Muslim;
2.4 percent are people of Christian religion;
2% are Sikhs;
0,7% — ;
0,5% .

The capital of India is New Delhi

The largest cities in the country with their population:

About 10 million people - ;
More than 7 million people - ;
4.4 million people - Kolkata ()
4.2 million people - Hyderabad;
4.1 million people - Bangalore;
3.8 million people - Madras;
Another 12 cities have a population of more than 1 million people.

The government system of India is a federal republic . The monetary unit is the Indian rupee. The average life expectancy for both men and women is 60 years. The mortality rate per thousand people is 8.7, the birth rate per thousand people is 25.9.

India is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. Until the middle of the 3rd century BC, the Dravidian civilization successfully developed on the territory of India, which was not only not inferior, but even in some respects superior to the civilizations of Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt.

Between 2500 and 1500 BC, Indo-Aryan tribes conquered India, displacing the Dravidians.

Various kingdoms, predominantly with Hinduism at the head of the religious factor, developed on the territory of this country until the 8th century AD. Afterwards, Muslim conquerors brought Islam to the country. Muslim rule continued until 1398 in the largest part of India, until the arrival of Tamerlane's armies into the country. However, the Mongols did not stay in India for long and soon left the country, so that until the end of the first quarter of the 16th century, India was ruled by the Muslim dynasties of the Saids and Tughluks.

Babur, a descendant of Tamerlane, conquered almost all of India in 1526 and founded the Great Mongols Empire on its territory, which lasted until 1857.

The Portuguese established several trading posts on the coast in 1498-1503, and their example was immediately followed by the British and Dutch. In 1603, the British East India Company gained textile and spice trading rights from the Mongols, and as a result of sound trade policies, the British gained political influence in much of India.

From 1828 to 1935, Britain assumed full political leadership, and India became a British protectorate in 1857.

Gaining independence

India gained independence on August 15, 1847, but the country was divided into two - Pakistan (later Bangladesh separated from it) and modern India along religious lines.

There is still a conflict between India and Pakistan, which began back in 1947 (at first the conflict had an open form, now it is more hidden). The conflict concerns the issue of ownership of the territories of Kashmir and Jammu, which are separated by a state border and are located in both states (two thirds of the territory belongs to India, one third to Pakistan).

India is a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations, UNESCO, the World Bank, the IMF, and the UN.

Climate of India

Due to the size of the country and regions differing in topography, the climate varies widely. India, with the exception of the mountainous regions, has a tropical climate with two seasons - dry and wet, lasting from June to September. At this time, the monsoons bring heavy rains (up to 10,800 mm per year in the Khasi Hills region). The hot season begins in March and reaches its peak in May. At this time, the thermometer can rise to 49 degrees Celsius.

In Kolkata, the air temperature in January varies from 13 to 27 degrees, and in July it rises to 32 degrees. In Madras, the thermometer in January shows from 19 to 29 degrees, and in July up to 36 degrees. In Bombay, January is 19-28 degrees, July is 26-36 degrees.

Flora

The arid areas that border Pakistan boast only fairly sparse vegetation. Palm and bamboo grow in some areas.

The Ganges Valley is rich in a wide variety of vegetation types, because it receives quite a significant amount of rainfall. The most vegetation is located in the southern part of the region, with many hardwood trees and mangroves.

In the northwest of the Himalayas there are dense coniferous forests, and in the east of the region there are subtropical forests. The slopes of the Western Ghats and the coastal region of southwest India are rich in dense tropical forests - teak, bamboo and other evergreen trees grow here.

The Deccan Plateau has sparse vegetation, but forests with deciduous trees, bamboo and palm trees can be found here.

Fauna of India

Representatives of felines: panther, tiger, snow leopard, leopard, clouded leopard, cheetah. Other large mammals include rhinoceros, Indian elephant, antelope, wolf, jackal, buffalo, black bear, deer and several species of monkeys.

There are quite a lot of mountain goats in mountainous areas. India is especially rich in poisonous snakes, such as the scalefish, cobra and others. Reptiles also include crocodiles and pythons. Among the many birds, especially noteworthy are the heron, peacock, kingfisher and parrots.

Museums and reserves

There are more than 460 different museums in India, among which the main ones are the Madras museums - the National Art Gallery and the Government Museum. In Varnassi - the Sarnath Museum, in New Delhi - the National Museum. In Bombay - the Museum of Western India, in Calcutta - the Birla Technological Museum, the Museum of India.

In addition to museums, India is rich in architectural and historical monuments. In Calcutta, in the Maidan Park there is a Victoria Memorial, in the same city there is a botanical garden and St. Paul's Cathedral. There are several Hindu temples in New Delhi, among which Lakshminarasi and Balkesh are considered the main ones. In Agra - Pearl Mosque, Marble Mausoleum Jahangri Mahal.

Varanasi has 1,500 temples, including the Golden Temple. In Bombay - Kanheri caves with rock bas-reliefs, Victoria Gardens Park (it houses a zoo). In Delhi - the Great Mosque, the Red Fort, the Rang Mahal Palace, the Public Reception Hall of the Great Mongols.

In Patna there are many Sikh temples and a mosque built in 1499. In Armitsar there is the Golden Temple, which is surrounded by a reservoir of immortality (Sikhs bathe in it to gain spiritual purification).

India is truly a fabulous country, after visiting which any traveler will have amazing memories for a lifetime. Once having become acquainted with this country, everyone will become its prisoner and will forever lose peace. In this unique country, everything is unusual, different, everything is new and special. India captivates guests with its exoticism, rich culture and magnificent nature. A large number of different species of animals live here: nimble monkeys, loud-voiced peacocks with bright plumage, tigers and crocodiles. Gorgeous beaches, gentle waters of the Indian Ocean, ancient monuments of one of the most ancient civilizations and a spicy smell on the streets, a large number of different saints and sneaky rickshaws, colorful saris and white-toothed smiling locals - these are all signs of India, full of mysteries and open to guests!

Official name of the state: Republic of India.

Location - South Asia. The northern border separates the country from Afghanistan, China, Nepal and Bhutan, the eastern border from Bangladesh and Myanmar, and the western border from Pakistan.

The form of government is a federal republic. Member of the British Commonwealth.

The total area is 3.29 million square kilometers.

The capital of India is New Delhi.

Geography

Geographically, India is located in three large orographic regions: the Himalayan Mountains, the Indo-Gangetic Plain and the Deccan Plateau (the Hindustan Peninsula). The Deccan is a vast ancient land mass consisting of Precambrian crystalline rocks, predominantly gneisses, schists and granites. Most of the surface is covered by volcanic lava, the greatest thickness of which is observed in the north-west. The Deccan was once part of the ancient continent of Gondwana, which united Africa, India and South America. About two hundred million years ago, this continent broke up into several separate blocks. Between the Himalayas and the Deccan lies the vast Indo-Gangetic Plain.

The part of the Eastern Himalayas located in India has high altitudes, but the structure of the mountains itself is relatively simple. To the north of the Ganges Valley lies the jungle-covered swampy strip of the Terai (as the locals call its natural vegetation cover). Above it, merging proluvial plumes gradually rise at the foot of the Siwalik Mountains. In the northern direction rise the ridges of the Lesser Himalayas mountain system (up to 3000 m). The next highest level is represented by the Greater Himalayas (up to 5800), the most striking heights of which are Everest in Nepal (Qomolungma - 8848 m), and in India - Kanchenjunga (8598 m).

Animal world

Based on the fauna present in India, this country is considered to belong to the Indo-Malayan region. The most widely represented mammals here are monkeys (gibbons, thin-bodied macaques), antelopes, deer (black, spotted and sambar), bulls (dwarf and Indian buffaloes, gaur), there are panthers, tigers, Indian elephants, Himalayan bears. Today, leopards, lions, and Kashmir deer have been almost completely exterminated. The fauna of India is very rich in reptiles, birds and fish.

There are 47 national parks and reserves in India, the largest of which are the Gir Forest (protected by the Asiatic lion) in Gujarat, Kaziranga in Assam and Jaldapara (protected by the Indian rhinoceros) in West Bengal.

Climate

Southern India has a predominantly tropical climate, and the northern part of the country is characterized by temperature variations from below zero to 50°C. In addition, the northern part of the country has distinct seasons. Here, winter lasts from December to February, the spring months are March and April, the summer months are May and June, the monsoon period is from July to September, and the autumn months are October and November.

Timezone

India's time zone is UTC+5:30, the time is 1.5 hours ahead of Moscow (when switching to winter time, the difference is 2.5 hours).

Currency

The official currency is the Indian rupee, which is equal to 100 paise. Coins of 1 rupee, 2 rupees and 5 rupees are widely used. The denomination of banknotes is 5-10-20-50-100-500-1000 rupees.

Population

In terms of the number of citizens, India ranks second in the world rankings after China, with a population of 1.2 billion people. Most Indians (almost 70%) live in rural areas, although in the last 10-20 years there has been increased migration to large cities, causing the urban population to increase sharply. The largest cities in the country are Delhi, Kolkata (formerly Kolkata), Mumbai (formerly Bombay), Hyderabad, Chennai (formerly Madras), Bangalore, Ahmedabad. The Indian population has an average literacy rate of 64.8%. In India, there is an excess of male population over female population. The annual population growth in the country averages 22 children per thousand people. The average age of the country's citizens is approximately 25 years.

Language

According to the country's Constitution, the official languages, that is, the languages in which the national government operates, are Hindi and English. English is ubiquitous in business and administration, its status is an auxiliary official language, and it also plays a large role in the education system, especially in secondary and higher schools.

Religion

The majority of Indians (more than 80%) profess Hinduism. Islam (believers - 13.4% of the population) and Christianity (2.3%) also have a significant number of followers. There are also adherents of Sikhism (1.9%), as well as Buddhism (0.8%) and very few Jainism (0.4%). In addition, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Baha'i and some other religions are represented by a small number of believers in India. In addition, animism is widespread among the population belonging to the aborigines of this area (8.1% of the population).

Administrative division

India is a federation of republics, it consists of the Delhi National Capital Territory, 6 union territories and 28 states. All states, the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Union Territory of Puducherry have their own government, while the remaining 5 Union Territories are governed by administrators who are appointed by the central government, so that they are directly subordinate to the President. All union territories and states, in turn, are divided into administrative units - districts. In total, the country includes 600 such districts, each of which consists of even smaller administrative units - taluks.

State structure

This country is a sovereign, socialist, secular liberal democratic republic. Government power consists of three branches, which include the legislative, executive and judicial.

The state of India is headed by a president, elected by an electoral college through indirect voting for a term of 5 years. The head of the Indian government is the Prime Minister, who holds the executive power.

The legislative branch of government in India is represented by Parliament, which consists of two houses: the upper house, called the Council of States (Rajya Sabha), and the lower house called the House of the People (Lok Sabha).

The executive branch includes the President and Vice President, as well as the Council of Ministers (headed by the Prime Minister). Each of the ministers must sit in either house of parliament. In the republic, the executive branch is subordinate to the legislative branch.

India is characterized by a three-tier unitary judiciary consisting of the Supreme Court, twenty-one High Courts and an innumerable number of smaller judicial bodies.

Economy of India

Currently, certain sectors of the Indian economy are opening up to private business as well as foreign capital. The last three decades have seen annual GDP growth averaging nearly 5.5%, making the Indian economy one of the fastest growing economies globally. India's important resources include the world's second largest workforce. The distribution of workers by field of activity is as follows: 60% are employed in agriculture, 28% in services, and 12% in industry. The main agricultural crops include rice, potatoes, wheat, sugarcane, tea, and cotton. Major industries include automobile, cement, chemical, engineering, consumer electronics, food processing, pharmaceutical, petroleum, textile, metal and mining. Among the countries of the world, India is in sixth place in oil consumption, and in third place in coal consumption.

India is characterized by significant social stratification of the population. Although the country is experiencing economic growth, a quarter of India's population is forced to live below the minimum subsistence level set by the government.

India is an exporter of software, technology and financial services, jewelry and textiles. The main imports are petroleum, chemicals, fertilizers and machinery. Major trading partners include the USA, China and the European Union. India's major natural resources include arable land, diamonds, iron ore, manganese, chromites, coal, bauxite, mica, limestone, titanium ores, natural gas and petroleum.

Culture

Indian culture is amazingly diverse. The entire historical development of this country is preserved in ancient cultural traditions, in addition, some new traditions were borrowed from other countries and peoples. India's cultural influence is quite strong in other regions of Asia.

Reverence for elders and other traditional family values are particularly respected in this country, largely due to the socio-economic relationships established by the traditional extended family system.

Indian cuisine

Indian culinary traditions are considered one of the most ancient and popular in the world. The local cuisine is based on a variety of “sabji” vegetables (most Indians do not eat meat, and it is better for guests to wait until home to eat meat), rice, fish, various flour products, “puri” flatbreads and a wide variety of dairy products. No one will probably be able to count how many original dishes there are in Indian national cuisine. The hallmark of Indian food is spices, added to almost any dish, be it salty or sweet, and in the most unpredictable combinations for other nations. The widely known seasoning “curry” in this country is a large selection of various recipes, which, when used, can turn even the most banal dish into an unusual one.

Particularly popular here is tea, which is traditionally drunk with spices or hot milk, as well as coffee, fruit waters and fresh juices. It is not customary to drink alcoholic drinks at the table; most meals are washed down with cold, clean water. It is worth noting that in India the consumption of alcoholic beverages on trains and public transport is strictly prohibited.

Vaccinations

Travelers do not have any obligations regarding vaccinations before visiting India. So, whether to do it or not is everyone’s personal choice. Of course, some vaccinations will not be superfluous, especially if you are going to India for a relatively long period of time (at least three months) and are going to go to environmentally unfavorable areas of the country, but there is no urgent need for these vaccinations. All you have to do is simply follow hygiene and safety measures, and this will most likely allow tourists to avoid any diseases.

Airports

India has a fairly developed network of domestic airlines, and there are airports in almost all major cities and regional centers. Most often, tourists arrive at the airports of Delhi, Goa, Bombay, Kolkata or Chennai. As a rule, airports have toilets, restaurants, banks, bus stops and taxis. Some airports have equipped rest rooms. It is also worth considering that small airports usually close at night.

Useful information for tourists about India, cities and resorts of the country. As well as information about the population, currency of India, cuisine, features of visa and customs restrictions in India.

Geography of India

The Republic of India is a state in South Asia, occupying most of the Hindustan Peninsula. It borders Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar. It has maritime borders with the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

Most of the country is occupied by the Deccan Highlands, bounded on both sides by the Eastern and Western Ghats, and in total the territory of India is crossed by 7 mountain ranges, among which is the highest mountain country in the world - the Himalayas. Between the Deccan and the Himalayas, the vast Indo-Gangetic Lowland (Jamno-Gangetic Plain) stretches in a wide arc; the coasts are also framed by a narrow ribbon of plains.

State

State structure

Federal Republic. Member of the Commonwealth.

The head of state is the president. The legislative body is a bicameral parliament (the Council of States "Rajya Sabha" and the House of People "Lok Sabha"). Executive power is exercised by the Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister.

Language

Official language: Hindi, English

Languages, except two state ones: Urdu, Bengali, Telugu, Tamil, Kannara and about 10 more languages used as state languages in various states. In total, more than 1,600 languages and dialects are spoken in India.

Religion

Hindus - 80%, Muslims - 14%, Christians - 2.4%, Sikhs - 2%, Buddhists - 0.7%, Jains - 0.5%.

Currency

International name: INR

One Indian rupee is divided into 100 paise.

History of India

Already in the 3rd millennium BC, statehood arose here in the Indus Valley, and in the 2nd millennium BC important ethnic changes took place. From the north, tribes of tall, fair-haired Aryans (Aryans) invaded the area between the Indus and Ganges rivers and subjugated the local peoples. In the 1st millennium BC, the Aryans created their own state, one of the princes of which was Gautama (Buddha), the spreader of the new religion. At the same time, India fought grueling wars for independence, either with Persia or with Alexander the Great. With the collapse of the Macedonian state, the Indian kingdom experienced its first flourishing. By 236 BC, the great Magadha Empire was formed, which managed to unite almost the entire territory of the modern states of Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. However, already from the second century BC, the formidable empire fell into decline. A significant part of its lands was captured by neighboring states. One of them was the kingdom of Kushan. After its collapse in the first centuries AD, the Magadha Empire began to gain strength again, which in the 4th–5th centuries already controlled most of the Hindustan Peninsula.

A short-term unification (from the 6th century) gave way to feudal fragmentation, which stopped only in the 13th century due to the emergence of the strong Delhi Sultanate. Its rulers began to fight Buddhism and began to spread Islam. The Sultanate repelled the raids of the Mongol-Tatars, but could not cope with the separatism of the large feudal lords who destroyed the country at the end of the 14th century. The economic lag increased, there was no defense capability, and opportunities opened up for new conquests in India. At the end of the 15th century, the first European colonialists appeared on its shores. In the 16th century, almost the entire peninsula fell prey to the Mongol conqueror Babur. In the 17th century, France and Great Britain entered into a struggle for the possession of South India. In the first half of the 18th century, the power of the Mongol dynasty weakened so much that it could no longer protect the Indian people from other invasions. The attempt of local princes to organize an alliance capable of resisting the conquerors was unsuccessful.

By the middle of the 19th century, Great Britain had colonized all of India, and the liberation uprising of 1857–1859 failed. The rule of the British crown remained until 1946, when, under the pressure of the Indian public led by M. Gandhi, it was granted the right of dominion (self-government). At the same time, the first government headed by J. Nehru was formed. The following year (1947) the British finally left India. However, the country was unable to maintain unity. The interreligious war split it into three states: Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.

On January 26, 1950, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted a constitution, which declared India a parliamentary republic. But at the same time, India remained in the British Commonwealth of Nations.

Being a multi-ethnic and multi-religious state, India is experiencing divisions and confrontations on religious grounds in different parts of the country. However, India has always presented itself as a secular state with a liberal democracy, except for a short period from 1975 to 1977, when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency that limited civil rights.

In the second half of the 20th century, India regularly had problems with neighboring countries due to disputes over borders. The dispute with China has not yet been resolved; in 1962 it resulted in a short war. India fought three wars with Pakistan: in 1947, 1965 and 1971. The last conflict between India and Pakistan broke out in 1999 in the state of Kashmir.

Popular attractions

Tourism in India

Where to stay

Hotels in India have a standard classification - from five to two categories. In addition, here you can find quite modern hotels with a high level of service that are not marked with stars. As a rule, such hotels belong to high-ranking officials or families of the highest Indian caste. In India you can also find hotels of famous world chains, for example, Mariott, Hyatt.

Regarding five-star hotels, in India these are not just beautifully furnished hotels with a high level of service, but real palaces. As a rule, such hotels are located on the coast, in the most popular places among tourists. There are Ayurveda and yoga centers on site, offering massage services, beauty treatments, and numerous entertainment programs.

It is worth considering that hotels of the same category, for example, four stars, can differ significantly from each other. So, if a hotel in one of the resort areas or located in a wealthy area of a big city will offer you really good service, clean comfortable rooms and special wellness programs, then in other cities of India the stars serve more as a decoration for the façade of the hotel building. Therefore, be careful when choosing a place to stay overnight. The same applies to the categories of three and two stars. Their owners may have their own idea of service, so it is better to stay in hotels about which you have found positive reviews from tourists who have already been there.

It is noteworthy that India is famous not only for its coastline, but also for its ski resorts. In the mountains you will be offered to stay in one of the small but very cozy hotels. They will offer you good service, a cozy interior and, as a bonus, excursions around the area and entertainment in the evenings.

Plant foods are the basis of the diet of the peoples of India. Rice, corn, dal, peas, lentils and other legumes, as well as flatbreads made from lower grades of flour (chapati) and vegetables are an integral part of Indian cuisine....

Tips

You should only leave a tip in expensive establishments. In hotels and restaurants, a service charge (10%) is often included in the bill. In more modest places you can leave a few rupees. Doormen - 5-10 rupees. In India, baksheesh is common - an advance payment for services (for example, for baksheesh, the hotel will find the letter you need, give you the necessary information, etc.).

Visa

Office hours

Banks are open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Souvenirs

India has high-quality and inexpensive fabrics: silk (in Varanasi), cotton (in Rajasthan, Chenai), wool, brocade, cashmere, chiffon. Carpets are the cheapest and most common product in India. You can buy inexpensive silver jewelry, precious stones: diamond, ruby, sapphire, pearls (in Hyderabad), aquamarine and moonstone.

According to tourists, the best gift from India is excellent Indian tea. Moreover, often the highlight is not in the variety - they are all excellent, but in the fact that the tea is packaged in elegant satin bags.

The usual ground pepper, turmeric, saffron, cloves, cinnamon, as well as spices unknown to us, which we cannot do without when preparing curry, are of excellent quality in India and, by our standards, almost free. Experienced tourists recommend trying the delicacy - cashew nuts fried with Indian pepper. Attention: spices can only be carried in the bags that you check in as luggage.

Medicine

High risk of contracting hepatitis A. Pre-vaccination is strongly recommended. Avoid drinking raw water and unpeeled vegetables and fruits.

Emergency numbers

Police - 100, fire brigade - 101, ambulance - 102.

National characteristics of India. Traditions

Tips for women: legs should be covered with clothes, but not tight ones. It is not customary to hug and kiss in public. They greet by joining their fingers at forehead level. Do not try to shake hands first, much less kiss. Walk around all buildings, especially religious buildings, on the left side. If you are being poured tea, wait until you are invited to tea. If you are leaving, empty the cup and leave it.

Questions and feedback about India

Kerala - Questions and Answers

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