Description of India according to geographical plan. Territory and borders. Debit and credit cards and personal checks

India is a country of rich culture and history. While traveling around India, you can be transported to a completely different world of the East. And excellent beaches with a high level of service and a beautiful sea provide an excellent opportunity to relax. India is a huge open-air museum, where everyone can touch thousand-year-old antiquity, see world masterpieces of architecture, and in a few hours descend from the snow-capped Himalayas to the hot tropics, flying over those places where dozens of dynasties replaced each other over thousands of years, each which left its material trace on a giant triangle sloping down to the sea.

Come to India and you will see that this is a country of endless variety of fragrant aromas and colors that have no name yet, ancient traditions and refined forms, an endless variety of customs and languages. India, simple and great, will not leave anyone indifferent.

Geography

India is located in southern Asia on the Hindustan Peninsula between the headwaters of the Indus river system in Punjab in the west and the Ganges river system in the East. In the north, the country borders with China, Bhutan and Nepal, in the northwest - with Pakistan, in the east - with Myanmar and the People's Republic of Bangladesh. In the east, India is washed by the Bay of Bengal, in the west by the Arabian Sea, and in the south by the Indian Ocean. The length of India from north to south is about 3220 km, and from east to west - 2930 km. India's land border is 15,200 km and its sea border is 6,083 km. Its area is 3287.3 thousand sq. km.

The natural conditions of India are very diverse. In general, 3 areas can be distinguished on its territory:

1) The Himalayas, located in northern India. Translated, the name Himalayas means “abode of snow.” The highest peak in the world is located here - Mount Chomolungma (Everest), which rises 8848 m above sea level. But its neighbors are not inferior to its older sister; a height of 5 - 6 thousand m is quite common in these areas. The Himalayas stretch from east to west (from the Brahmaputra River to the Indus River) for 2500 km with a width of 150 to 400 km. The Himalayas consist of three main mountain ranges: the Siwalik Mountains in the south (altitudes 800-1200 m), then the Lesser Himalayas (2500-3000 m) and the Greater Himalayas (5500-6000 m).
2) The Deccan Plateau on the Hindustan Peninsula with the adjacent coastal lowlands. The average height is 300 - 900 m. The Deccan is an arid hilly plateau, bounded on the west and east by the Western (higher) and Eastern Ghats mountains. The Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri rivers flow through the Deccan plateau in the direction from West to East, which become very shallow in winter. It is interesting that, according to modern ideas, the Deccan Plateau was formed tens of millions of years ago as a result of the “swelling” of the earth’s surface from an asteroid impact from the opposite side of the globe in the Gulf of Mexico (it was this catastrophe that was probably the cause of the extinction of the dinosaurs).
3) The Indo-Gangetic Plain, which occupies the central and eastern part of India, its area is 319 thousand sq. km. Up to 250 million people live on the territory of the Indo-Gangetic Plain. This vast area extends parallel to the Himalayan ranges.

The main rivers in India are the Ganges (2510 km), Brahmaputra (2900 km), Indus (2879 km). They have a lot of water and are used for navigation. A characteristic phenomenon for the northern territories of the country are floods during the melting of glaciers.

Time

In summer in India it is 1 hour 30 minutes more than in Moscow, and in winter it is 2 hours 30 minutes more.

Climate

India has a monsoon climate. 3 seasons: dry cold - from October to March (considered the best time to visit), dry hot - from April to June and humid hot - from July to September. The best time to travel in India depends on where you are going. The climate is accordingly very diverse. When the beach season just opens in Goa (on the Indian Ocean coast) (November), there is already snow in the Himalayas. On the other hand, July - August, when southern India is very hot and humid, is the best time to travel to Ladakh (a region lying on the Tibetan plateau behind the great Himalayan Range). In mountainous areas, air temperature and weather are highly dependent on altitude. To South and Central India, it is recommended to go in season from July to September (rainy, humid, warm + 25-30 * C) and from October to March (dry, cool + 20-25 * C), bad season from March to June (very hot, dry + 35-45*C).

Language

More than 200 dialects are spoken by the population of India. The official languages ​​are Hindi and English.

Religion

Almost all people living in India are deeply religious. Religion for Indians is a way of life, an everyday, special way of life. Hinduism is considered to be the main religious and ethical system of India. In terms of the number of followers, Hinduism occupies a leading place in Asia. This religion, which does not have any one founder and one fundamental text (there are many of them: the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas and many others), originated so long ago that it is impossible to even determine its age, and spread throughout India and throughout many countries of Southeast Asia, and now, thanks to immigrants from India, who have settled everywhere - all over the world. Hinduism is professed by 83% of the total population of India, i.e. about 850 million people. Muslims in India are 11%.

One of the oldest religions in the world, Buddhism, originated in India in the fifth century BC. Buddhists believe that enlightenment, that is, liberation from suffering in the endless cycle of rebirth, can be achieved by every living being, and especially by humans, since, according to Buddhism, everyone initially has the nature of Buddha. Unlike Hindus, Buddhists do not recognize castes. If you meet a person on the streets of India in a colorful turban with a thick, thick beard, you should know that he is a Sikh, that is, a follower of Sikhism, a faith that has absorbed and combined Hinduism and Islam.

So, 80% of the population are Hindus, Muslims constitute a significant religious minority - 12%. The number of Christians reaches only 18 million. They are mainly Catholics and Protestants. There are also Orthodox parishes. Of the faiths born on Indian soil, Sikhism stands out, the number of followers of which exceeds 17 million. A small (about 200 thousand) but influential community of Parsi fire-worshippers is concentrated in Mumbai (formerly Bombay). In the coastal cities of Kerala you can meet followers of Judaism (about 6 thousand). About 26 thousand representatives of aboriginal tribes profess various pagan beliefs.

Population

As of 1999, India's population reached 1 billion. Average annual population growth decreased from 2.2% in the 1950-1980s to 1.7% in 1990-1998, but absolute indicators indicate an annual increase of approximately 20 million people. The average population density is 354 people per 1 sq. km, and the maximum is more than 750 people per 1 sq. km in West Bengal and Kerala. The most densely populated areas are the south-eastern and south-western coasts, the deltaic lowlands of the east and the Gangetic plain. The least populated areas are the highlands of Central India, the northeastern regions and the Himalayas. Approximately 65% ​​of the country's population lives in 500 thousand villages. The intensification of migration processes has led over the past half century to the formation of such gigantic agglomerations as Mumbai (Bombay, 8 million people), Calcutta (5 million) and the union territory of Delhi, led by the capital of the same name (8 million people).

Electricity

The mains voltage in India is 220V.

Emergency numbers

Police - 100
Fire brigade - 101
Ambulance - 102

Connection

Mobile communications in India are expensive, we recommend purchasing a local SIM card and paying for calls using express payment cards (1 minute of conversation with Russia will cost about 1 dollar). The cost of a call from a hotel is three times more expensive than from a pay phone.
How to call Russia:
00+7 (Russian code)+city code (812 code of St. Petersburg) + phone number
How to call Goa:
8+10+91 (India code) +832 (Goa code)+ phone number.

Currency exchange

The Indian rupee is a fairly stable monetary unit. Its exchange rate is approximately 48 rupees per 1 US dollar. The import and export of Indian currency, as well as the exchange of currency by private individuals, is prohibited. You can exchange currency at the airport, at a bank or at certified exchange offices. Be sure to keep your currency exchange certificates. They will need to be handed in when checking in for your flight at the airport. Banks are open mainly on weekdays from 10.00 to 14.00, and on Saturdays from 10.00 to 12.00. In addition, there are a considerable number of exchange offices operating in shops, jewelry stores, and hotels. It is recommended to make the exchange exclusively in banks, since in all other cases there may be miscalculation, hidden commissions and other surprises. You should not exchange money where a taxi driver, a casual acquaintance, or a hotel administrator urgently invites you - in all the mentioned cases, he will claim a fee that the tourist will unwittingly pay, changing money at an inconvenient rate. In banks, all these things are excluded. You can exchange currency at the airport, at a bank (passport required) or at certified exchange offices. When exchanging, you must take a receipt that allows you to exchange money back when leaving the country (but not more than 25% of the officially exchanged amount). It is best to import dollars: the currencies of other countries are not exchanged in all banks and at a less favorable rate.

Visa

Citizens of Russia, just like citizens of most other countries in the world, require a visa to enter India. Since 2015, the so-called electronic visa to India has been introduced, which can be obtained via the Internet. In urgent cases, you can obtain a visa on arrival in Goa, but immigration services are very reluctant to make concessions, so it is better to obtain visas in advance from the Indian Embassy in Moscow or from the Indian Consulates General in St. Petersburg and Vladivostok.

The Tourist e-Visa is intended for persons whose purpose of visit is tourism or visiting friends or relatives who are Indian citizens. A visa is issued for one or more entries.

A transit visa is issued to persons whose purpose of travel is transit through Indian territory to third countries.

A business visa is intended for those who are going to visit India at the invitation of business partners.

Student visa is for persons enrolled in officially registered educational institutions in India. A visa can be issued only upon presentation of a written invitation from the university.

Visa for studying yoga, Vedic culture, Indian music theory, dance, etc. issued to citizens to take a course in yoga, Vedic culture, theory of Indian music, dance, etc. in officially recognized Indian educational institutions. Issued upon presentation of a letter of acceptance from a specific educational institution.

Customs regulations

The “Green Corridor” is intended for persons importing goods that are not subject to customs duties and taxes. “Red Corridor” - for persons importing goods in respect of which customs duties must be paid or in respect of which any prohibitions and restrictions apply.

However, all passengers fill out a declaration for their imported baggage; persons who choose the “green channel” must deposit with the customs officer the part of the passenger information card related to customs clearance before the person leaves the checkpoint. Written declaration of foreign means of payment is made in the following cases: the total amount of imported foreign currency exceeds 5,000 US dollars; the total amount of imported means of payment exceeds 10,000 US dollars.

In the event that a person moves goods through the “green corridor” in respect of which customs duties must be paid or for which any prohibitions and restrictions apply, liability measures will be applied to the person, including confiscation of the goods. The movement of narcotic and psychotropic substances is a serious crime and is punishable by imprisonment.

The import of foreign currency is not limited; cash amounts over $5 thousand and non-cash amounts over $10 thousand are declared. The export of foreign currency is permitted up to the amount declared in the entry declaration. The import and export of national currency is prohibited. Persons over the age of 17 years are allowed duty-free import of: cigarettes - up to 200 pieces or cigars - up to 50 pieces, or tobacco - up to 250 g, alcoholic beverages - up to 2 liters, up to 60 ml of perfume and up to 250 ml of eau de toilette. Household audio, photo and video equipment, musical instruments, medicines, sports equipment, jewelry, food, household items and items are imported duty-free only within the limits of personal needs. These rules apply only to persons whose stay in India is at least 24 hours and no more than 6 months, and they cross the country’s border no more than once a month.

Holidays and non-working days

There are a lot of holidays in India, both public and religious. Almost every day is some kind of holiday. The main public holidays in India are:
January 1 - New Year
January 26 - Republic Day (on this day the Constitution of India was adopted)
March 8, as in Russia, is Women's Day
August 15 - Independence Day (on this day in 1947, India gained independence from Great Britain)
August 20 - Rajiv Gandhi's birthday
October 2 is Gandhi Jayanti, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi.
November 19 - Indira Gandhi's birthday
Among the religious holidays, the following can be identified as the main ones.
In March - April, followers of Jainism celebrate the birthday of the founder of this religion, Mahavira. This festival is called Mahavir Jayanti.
In April - May (on the first day of the month of Baisak), followers of Sikhism celebrate their main holiday - Baisak.
Buddha Jayanti - Buddha's birthday is celebrated in the second half of April - the first half of May.
The main holiday of the Parsis (Indian fire worshipers) is Khordad Sal - the birthday of the prophet Zarathustra.
In February - March, Hindus celebrate the spring festival Holi.
In April - May, Id-ul-Azkha (Id-ul-Zukha, Bakr-id) is celebrated. This is the holiday of sacrifice - one of the two main holidays of Muslims.
August-September - Janmashtami - Krishna's birthday.
In September - October, Dashahra (Dussehra, Dussehra, Durga Puja), the day of worship of Devi, is celebrated. This is one of the most popular holidays.
Diwali (Deepavali, Bandi Khor Diwas) is celebrated in October - November. This is the Festival of Lights and the Goddess of Prosperity, Diwali, one of the most popular folk festivals and the last day of the year according to the Hindu calendar.

Transport

The network of international air transportation provided by Air India and other airlines is well developed in India. Indian Airlines provides flights on domestic routes and to nearby countries. In addition to air, there are sea and land routes of communication with countries. There are 4 largest airports in India: Chenai, Kolkata, Delhi, Bombay, of which two are international - Delhi and Bombay.

India's international rail network is the largest in Asia and the second largest in the world. It consists of 62,300 km of rails, more than 7,030 railway stations and more than 11,200 locomotives. The fare is relatively inexpensive. A large number of express trains connect major cities. Where the train service is interrupted, you can get from station to station by bus. Categories of travel are different, starting with the most expensive 1st class with air conditioning (the ticket price is comparable to the cost of travel of a similar class in other countries), and ending with the cheapest option - a general carriage with a ticket without a seat. There are also air-conditioned sleeping carriages with two-berth compartments, as well as air-conditioned seating carriages (both II class); There are II class carriages with fans.

Within India there is an extensive network of bus routes connecting all parts of the country. This is especially true for those areas where there is no railway connection, in particular for high mountain areas. Older buses run on most rural roads, but express buses with air conditioning are increasingly appearing on main roads. On many routes, even local ones, tickets can be booked in advance. The bulk of luggage is transported on the roof of the bus, so suitcases must be locked and checked during stops.

The main seaports are Mumbai (Bombay), Kolkata, Cochin, Chennai (Madras), Calicut, Panaji (Goa) and Rameshwaram. Apart from river ferries, water transport in India is rather poorly developed. Steamship services exist between Port Blair (Andaman Islands) and with Calcutta and Madras (mostly operating only during the tourist season), as well as between Calcutta and Madras. Luxurious water services are available between Cochin and Lakshadweep. In Kerala, regular passenger ships operate along the coast, with several services linking Allappuja and Kovalam (formerly Alleppey and Quilon), including the popular paddle steamer service. There is a catamaran service between Bombay and Goa.

Tips

Tipping in hotels and restaurants is usually around 10%. In hotels, they are usually included in the bill, but usually an additional 2-3 rupees are left for the maids, and from 2 to 5 rupees for the porter and receptionist. Tipping in India is considered not only as gratitude for the service provided, but also as a soft transition from the sphere of buyer-seller relations to a more friendly attitude.

The shops

India is a shopping paradise. Prices here are low, and bargaining is common. Silver products, souvenirs made of sandalwood, bronze, Kashmiri carpets, silk shawls, and Indian tea are very popular. When purchasing jewelry, you must require a quality certificate; only with such a document can you return or exchange the purchased product. When purchasing souvenirs on the street or taking photographs with exotic animals, it is better to conduct all negotiations through a guide. So, at least you can count on a reasonable price. In Delhi, thousands of retail outlets and traditional oriental markets are located in the areas of Baba Kharak Singh, Chandni Chowk, Koniat Place, Hari Baoli, south of the University, near Lahore Gate, Urdu Bazaar, etc. Here you can buy almost everything, and the famous atmosphere of the oriental bazaar gives such purchases a special charm. When visiting Bombay, be sure to stroll through the narrow, winding neighborhoods of Kalbadevi, north of Crawford Market, where the colorful markets of Zaveri Bazar, Mangaldas Market, Dabu and Khor Bazar ("thieves' market") follow each other.

National cuisine

The unforgettable aroma of India is not only the thick scent of jasmine and rose. It is also the subtle aroma of spices that occupy an important place in Indian dishes, especially curries. The name of this seasoning comes from the Indian word “kari” (sauce), but here it is not found in the form of powder familiar to residents of other countries. It is a subtle and delicate blend of spices such as turmeric, cardamom, ginger, coriander, nutmeg and poppy. Like paints on an artist’s palette, the Indian cook keeps on hand about 25 spices, always freshly ground, from which he creates his unique flavor bouquet. Many spices also have medicinal properties. Each region has its own favorite spices and their combinations. Although not all Indians are vegetarians, you will eat more vegetable dishes here than at home. Vegetables in India are cheap, varied, abundant and always deliciously prepared.

The West Coast offers a wide selection of fish and seafood. Bombay duck (curried or fried bomnlo fish) and licorice fish (Indian salmon) are just two names on the extensive menu. Fish is also present in Bengali cuisine, such as dahi maach (fish curry in yogurt flavored with ginger) and mailai (prawn curry with coconut).

Meat dishes are more common in the north: rogan josh (lamb curry), gushtaba (spicy meatballs in yogurt) and delicious biriyani (chicken or lamb with rice and orange sauce). The taste of Mughlai dishes is rich and rich, they are generously seasoned with spices and sprinkled with nuts and saffron. The famous tandoori (chicken, meat or fish marinated with herbs and baked in a clay oven) and kebab come from the northern regions.

In the south, curries are mostly vegetable and quite spicy. Traditional recipes include bhujia (vegetable curry), dosa, idli and samba (rice cakes, pickle-filled dumplings and curried lentils) and raita (yogurt with grated cucumber and mint). The main ingredient of South Indian cuisine is coconut. In the south, rice is mandatory, while in the north it is often supplemented or replaced with a variety of unleavened flatbreads - puri, chappati, nan and others.

Common throughout India are dal (a soup made from crushed lentils with vegetables) and dhai (yogurt or yoghurt served with curry). In addition to the fact that this is a very tasty dish, in the heat it is more refreshing than drinks.

Sweets are mainly served with milk puddings, cookies and pancakes. Throughout India, kulfi (Indian ice cream), rasgulla (curd balls flavored with rose water), gulab jamun (flour, yogurt and grated almonds) and jalebi (fritters in syrup) are common. In addition to an excellent selection of sweets, you will always be offered fruits: mangoes, pomegranates, melons, apricots, apples and strawberries. Western groceries are sold in many cities. To improve digestion, it is customary to end the meal by chewing pan. Pan is betel leaves wrapped in anise and cardamom seeds. Another custom is to eat with your fingers, but (don’t forget!) only with your right hand.

Tourists with conservative tastes will always find dishes from almost any country in the world in cities. Tea is a favorite drink of Indians and many varieties are popular around the world. It is often served with sugar and milk, but you can also order “tea on a tray.” Coffee is growing in popularity. Nimbu pani (lemon drink), lassi (ice milk) and coconut milk straight from the nut are pleasantly refreshing. Sparkling water, often with syrup, and Western spirits are available everywhere.Indian beers and gins are as good as the world's best, and inexpensive too.Remember, liquor permits are required in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.

Attractions

Agra located 204 km from Delhi in the Ganges Valley on the western bank of the Yamuna River. Even Delhi, the thousand-year-old capital of numerous kings and emperors, cannot boast of such a generous architectural and cultural heritage that Agra inherited from the golden age of the great Mughals. Notable are the Tomb of Itemad-ud-Daula and Akbar's Tomb in Sikandra. The tomb of Itemad-ud-Daula stands in the center of the Persian Park, striking with the elegance of its lines and careful decoration. Norjahan, the brilliant wife of Jahangir, built it for her parents. The small tomb on the outskirts of the Taj Mahal remarkably reflects the taste and intelligence of the gifted empress. Warm tones of yellow marble contrast with white and black patterns, while openwork marble panels and rich mosaics of gems are feminine and delightful. Named after the Afghan ruler Sikander Lodi, Sikandra is better known as the final resting place of Akbar. The emperor began the construction of his own memorial - a red sandstone mausoleum in the middle of the chahar bagh, a park with a square layout - during his lifetime. The entrance, magnificently decorated with marble mosaics, leads to a spacious open structure topped by a tomb with carved panels at the fifth floor level. They were added to the appearance of the mausoleum by Shahjahan after the death of his father.

Capital city of India Delhi and surrounding areas occupy a total of about 1500 square meters. km and constitute the National Capital Territory of Delhi, governed by the territorial government as well as the City Hall of Old Delhi and the New Delhi Municipal Corporation. According to the country's Constitution, the capital of India is officially called New Delhi, although in everyday speech not only in India, but also in other countries, the abbreviated name is retained - Delhi. Jama Masjid is the largest mosque in the old city. Three large gates, four corner towers and two tall minarets made of red sandstone and white marble created a magnificent ensemble. The eastern gate was opened only for the emperor. Worshipers enter the mosque through the northern and southern gates. The mosque's courtyard can accommodate 25 thousand people. Qutab Minar is a complex of buildings that began to be built from the moment Muslims settled in India and to this day is a perfectly preserved example of early Afghan architecture. The Qutab Minar, which gives the entire complex its name, is a minaret erected after the Muslim victory over the Hindu kingdom in Delhi in 1193. Not far from the minaret, in the courtyard of the Quwwat al-Islam mosque, there is the so-called Iron Pillar - a column made of very high purity iron, 7 meters high.

IN Panaji There are many places of interest. Like most cities in Goa, the center of Panaji is the square with the church. The beautiful staircase with a white balustrade in front of the Church of the Immaculate Conception seems to increase the proportions of the Baroque façade that dominates the square. The church was built in 1541, and initially served as a “lighthouse” for sailors arriving after a long voyage from Lisbon. Other architectural monuments of Panaji include the Largo da Igreja architectural ensemble, the Chapel of St. Sebastian and the Secretariat building. Panaji is also famous for the statue of Abbot Faria, which has already become a symbol of the city. This famous hypnotist, made famous by Alexandre Dumas's novel The Count of Monte Cristo, was born in Candolim in 1756, emigrated to France in his youth, was a professor at the University of Marseille and ended his days at the Château d'If.

Modern Bombay has preserved numerous traces of the past, in particular its architecture is very diverse. Along with ancient Victorian-style mansions, buildings of the most modern trends and styles can be found here. The southern part of the city is built up with spectacular high-rise buildings - offices of the largest companies, luxury hotels, and residential buildings. This part of the city is sometimes called "Indian Manhattan". On the Malabar Hill is the building of the former residence of British government offices - Raj Bhavan. The very top of the hill is a huge water reservoir, built to supply water to the entire southern Bombay. On the roof of this reservoir, the so-called “hanging gardens” are built on bulk soil, which are officially called “Gardens named after. Ferozshah Mehta" - one of the leaders of the national liberation movement. The bushes in these gardens are trimmed in the shape of various animals. Directly opposite the “hanging gardens” there is a very popular “culture and recreation park” in Bombay. Kamala Nehru. Next to the “hanging gardens”, being well covered by the dense foliage of numerous trees, there are the so-called “towers of silence”, belonging to the Parsis (immigrants from Persia) - followers of the Zoroastrianism religion. These “towers of silence” were built to perform the Parsi burial rite. At almost the very foot of the Malabar Hill on the side opposite Chowpatty, there is the famous Hindu temple of Mahalakshmi, dedicated to the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Bombay's attractions also include the Muslim Haji Ali Mosque, the Planetarium. Nehru Zoo, a museum telling the history of Bombay, the Prince of Wales Museum, Bombay University, topped by a clock tower vaguely reminiscent of Big Ben in London, the old City Hall - now home to the Asiatic Society with its extensive library, the old Mint building, Taraporewala Aquarium, Kanheri Caves in the National Park.

Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan, home to the Rajput group of warrior clans who controlled this part of India for more than 1,000 years. Jaipur owes its name to its founder, the great warrior and astronomer Maharaja Jai ​​Singh II (1693-1743). The city and the fort were built in accordance with the canons of ancient Indian architecture, which included the rectangular arrangement of the blocks. Jaipur is also called the “pink city” because of the color of most of the buildings in the old city. The fort-palace of Amber is located 11 km north of Jaipur. Behind the stern and austere facade lies a heavenly interior in which the Mughal and Hindu styles are combined in their highest embodiment.

Resorts

State Goa located in southeast India. This small piece of land consists almost entirely of beaches unspoiled by civilization. 40 beaches stretch for more than 100 km along the coast of the Arabian Sea. Not all are equipped for swimming. Goa is divided into North and South parts. Fort Aguada is considered the border. The southern beaches are sandy, clean, and designed (like hotels) for wealthy vacationers. The sea is warm and calm. Poor tourists - students, hippies, musicians - prefer to stay in the north. The beaches host 24-hour discos, a lot of shops, eateries, and noisy bazaars. All beaches are municipal, but those sections of the beach that are assigned to specific hotels are protected. Use of beaches and equipment is free. Tiracol- the northernmost beach of Goa and, most likely, the wildest and untouched by civilization. Anjuna- the most photographed beach in Goa. This means that you will not find privacy here. Exotic lovers come here from everywhere. Night raves are also held here during the full moon. You should be wary of petty thieves and drug dealers. A gorgeous sandy beach lying under the walls of an ancient Portuguese fort Aguada, opens a strip of beaches in South Goa. Luxury hotels and the Taj tourist village are available for vacationers. The beach is clean, well maintained and well equipped.

State Kerala might not be called the most popular, since there are a lot of swamps, but the entire 900-kilometer coast of the state consists of sandy beaches, rocky promenades and lush growth of coconut palms. So tourists, no matter what, come here again and again. Kerala is the most idyllic Indian state and is also called God's Personal Country. Mesmerizing waterfalls, dense tropical jungles, exotic animals, ancient monuments, festivals and national holidays - all this creates a special flavor. Kerala is also the most socially developed state, with the lowest infant mortality rate, the cleanest and the most peaceful.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a unique island state of India. There are not many resorts here, although the beaches surround the islands almost entirely. The excellent climate, rich vegetation and privacy attract lovers of a quiet, “eco-friendly” holiday away from the crowds and city noise. In addition, this is a closed area, the territory of national reserves, to visit which you need to obtain a separate permit. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are actually an entire archipelago of 572 small islands with a total area of ​​8249 sq. km. Only 36 of them are inhabited. The islands separate the Bay of Bengal from the Andaman Sea. Climate - tropical, minimum temperature +23 C, maximum +31 C. humidity - 70-90%. The best time to visit is October-May. From May to mid-September, and from November to mid-December is the rainy season. At the end of summer, severe storms are common, causing serious damage.

Port Blair- state capital. Here is the main diving center, a water entertainment complex, a fishing club, snookering and trekking centers, the Anthropological Museum, the Forest Museum, the Maritime Museum and the historical Cellular Prison building, now turned into a National Memorial.

State Andhra Pradesh called Kohinoor of India. Some of the country's most picturesque beaches are located here. The coastline stretches for almost 1000 kilometers along the Bay of Bengal. The beaches are clean, sandy, and not too crowded.

1. EGP, territory, general information about the country .

India belongs to South Asia, to the triangle fenced off by the Himalayas from the rest of Asia. This is one of the oldest states in the world. Before 1950, India was colony of England, and now is part of the Commonwealth led by Great Britain. According to the government system, India is federal Republic(territory divided into 25 states) with a strong central government. The territory of the country stretches from North to South for 3200 km, from West to East - for 2900 km. Area - 3 million 288 thousand km 2 .

EGP of India, in general, favorable. The country is located on trade routes from the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean (this is the busiest trade route in the World Ocean). India also has a long land border, but it does not play a role in trade.

2. Population: numbers, natural movements, national composition, etc. .

The population of India in 2009 was 1 billion 137 million people This 2nd place in the world! Characteristic fast reproduction rate population (29-9=20), as a result of which the state is trying to limit natural increase through family planning and demographic policy. The main slogan of demogr. policy: “Every family has two children!”

India - the most multinational country in the world: about 300 ethnic groups, 22 main languages. The most common language is Hindustani, it is spoken in Hindi. The main language of interethnic communication is English(this is a legacy of the colonial period). 80% of Indians practice Hinduism, 10% - Islam. Hinduism implies the division of society into castes. Not uncommon separatist sentiments in India (the state of Punjab wants to secede and form an independent state).

Population of the country unevenly placed. Level urbanization - 28%(this is a very low figure). 250 million people live in cities. (this is 2nd place in the world after China). Most of the population lives in villages (there are about 600 thousand villages in the country).

3. Farming: general features .

Characteristic for the country multi-structure(pre-capitalist remnants along with the capitalist way of life). The country has passed a stage industrialization, there is its own space program. Recently, through the efforts of Indian scientists, the country “acquired” its own nuclear weapons.

In India, as once in Russia, there are still 5 year plans and state order. The country is big domestic market.

Great contrasts: 11th in world economic output, but 102nd in per capita income; The country produces 750 feature films annually, but 50% of the population is illiterate, and 40% generally live below the poverty line; abundance and cheap labor, but high work culture; 1st place in Asia in terms of the length of railways, but half of them are narrow-gauge railways on which steam locomotives run!

The country ranks 3rd place in the world in terms of number of scientists(after Russia and the USA), but the problem of “brain drain” is very acute.

Industry of India .

It's busy here 20% of economically active population.

Developed heavy industry: production of machine tools, cars, railway locomotives, agricultural equipment. The newest industries are also developed: production of TV, computers, equipment for nuclear power plants, space equipment, nuclear equipment. Light industry consists of three parts: cotton industry, clothing industry, jute production.

Deccan Plateau- a large combination of natural resources (coal, iron ore, manganese ores), this area heavy industry, iron and steel industry (Bhilai city). On eastern outskirts The Deccan plateau is the main coal and metallurgical base country, “Indian Ruhr” (city of Bokaro).

Agriculture in India .

It's busy here 60% of economically active population countries.

The country is actively using the achievements "green revolution". Arable land makes up half all agricultural lands. India is self-sufficient in grain.

In India stand out 2 main and 1 secondary agricultural zone: 1) southeastern states - rice growing(the rain of the Kharif season is used, and artificial irrigation is carried out during the Rabi season, due to which 2-3 crops are harvested per year); 2) northwestern states and Punjab - home wheat zone, main commercial farming area(Wheat is mainly harvested during the Rabi season under artificial irrigation); 3) secondary foci cultivation of fiber, oilseeds, sugar and tonic crops.

6. India Development Centers .

In the country there is no single dominant center, although there is 4 major cities affecting the entire country.

The quadrangle of these cities looks like this: in the North - Delhi (capital, large transport, industrial, cultural, political and administrative center); in the East - Calcutta (the second industrial city and port after Bombay, the administrative center, the processing and export of jute is developed, the largest area of ​​poverty and slums); on South - Madras (large industrial center, port, economic capital of the Indian south); in the West - Bombay (largest city, industrial, commercial, financial center, port, developed mechanical engineering, petrochemicals, nuclear energy, cotton industry). These 4 cities are connected by transport routes.

During the classes

India (Republic of India)

• Area - 3165.6 thousand km (7th place among the countries of the world)
• Population - 1020.0 million people. (2nd place)
• GDP (2000) - $1825 billion (5th place)
• GDP per capita - $1800 (135th place)
• Political system: parliamentary federal republic within the Commonwealth

India is a country of ancient civilization. In the 3rd millennium BC. e. Dravidians who lived in the valley of the river. Indus, created the original Harappan civilization. Around the 15th century BC e. Aryan tribes came to northern India and pushed the Dravidians to the south. From these ancient peoples modern Indians descend.

Cultural and historical features of the country

Throughout its history, India has managed to preserve ancient cultural traditions, simultaneously adopt new customs and ideas from conquerors and immigrants, and spread its cultural influence to other regions of Asia.

In Indian society, traditional family values ​​are highly respected.

• Architecture

Indian architecture is one of the areas in which the diversity of Indian culture is most clearly represented. Much of India's architectural heritage, including such remarkable monuments as the Taj Mahal and other examples of Mongolian and South Indian architecture, is a mixture of ancient and diverse local traditions from various regions of India and abroad.

• Literature

The earliest works of Indian literature were transmitted orally for many centuries and only later were written down. These include Sanskrit literature - the Vedas, the epics Mahabharata and Ramayana, the Abhijnana-Shakuntala drama, and the classical Sanskrit poetry Mahakavya - and the Tamil Sang literature.

Features of the economic-geographical location and natural conditions

Administrative division

The main features of Indian EGP are:

• Located in South Asia, almost symmetrical to the Northern Tropics

• Washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean; off the southern coast of India there are sea routes from the Mediterranean Sea to the Pacific Ocean

• Has a number of unresolved territorial issues with Pakistan and China, complicating relations between the countries

• The terrain makes it difficult to develop economic ties with northern neighbors

Natural conditions of India

The natural conditions of India are varied:

• Relief:

The Himalayas are a chain of ridges with an average height of 3-4 thousand m in the north of the country

Deccan Plateau

• Climate:

The territory is located in the tropical and subequatorial zones with a typical monsoon climate

Annual temperature - +25 ... +27 C

Diamond cutting

Agriculture in India

The dominant sector of the Indian economy has a pronounced crop production focus

In terms of agricultural production, the state ranks 4th in the world and is one of the largest producers of tea, peanuts, sugar cane, pulses, jute, and some spices

2nd place in the world (after China) in rice production, 3rd in tobacco production, 4th in wheat and cotton production

Types of Agriculture in India

• Livestock

15% of the world's cattle population (draft power)

Small cattle

Poultry farming

Pig farming

Sea and river fishing

• Crop production

Cereals (rice, wheat, millet)

Legumes (beans, peanuts)

Technical

Tobacco growing

Spices (black pepper, cloves, cardamom)

Bananas and pineapples (1st place in the world)

Almost all types of transport are represented in India:

• Zheleznodorozhny (length 62 thousand km, 5th place in the world, most railways are narrow gauge; 10.5 thousand km are electrified)

• Automotive (the length of highways is more than 30 thousand km, the total length of horse-drawn roads is 1600 thousand km)

• Sea (carries out most of the country's foreign trade transport, 90% of sea freight turnover falls on eight main ports, the largest of which is Mumbai)

• Air (serves international and domestic airlines, many transit flights from Europe to Southeast Asia and Australia)

• India is an extremely peace-loving state and has never invaded any other country in the last 100,000 years of history.

• The name "India" comes from the name of the Indus River, in the valley of which the houses of the first settlers were located. Aryan believers called the Indus River Sindh.

• Chess was invented in India.

• India is the most democratic country in the world, it is also the sixth largest country in the world, and one of the most ancient civilizations.

• India has the largest number of post offices in the world!

• The Lotus Temple in India is one of the most visited temples in the world, with more than 50 million people crossing the threshold every year.

• The largest employer in India is the Indian Railways, providing jobs to more than a million people.

• India was one of the richest countries during British rule in the early 17th century. Christopher Columbus, attracted by the wealth of India, set out in search of a sea route to India, but arrived in America and discovered it by mistake.

• Algebra, trigonometry and calculus also originated in India. Quadratic equations were used by Sridharacharya as early as the 11th century. The largest number that most Greeks and Romans used was 106 while the Indians used the numbers 10 * 53 (that is, 10 to the power of 53) with specific names as early as 5000 BC. during the Vedic period. Even today, the largest number used is Tera - 10 * 12 (10 to the power of 12).

• By 1896, India was the world's only source of diamonds (

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.