INDIA

Profile - The subcontinent of India lies in south Asia, between Pakistan, China and Nepal. To the north it is bordered by the world's highest mountain chain, where foothill valleys cover the northernmost of the country's 26 states. Further south, plateaus, tropical rain forests and sandy deserts are bordered by palm-fringed beaches.

Side by side with the country's staggering topographical variations is its cultural diversity, the result of the coexistence of a number of religions as well as local tradition. Thus, the towering temples of south India, easily identifiable by their ornately sculptured surface, are associated with a great many crafts and performing arts of the region.

Geography - India is officially called the Republic of India. It is called Bharat or Bharatavarsha in Hindi. It is a republic of southern Asia, the seventh largest and second most populous nation in the world. India is bordered on the northwest by Pakistan; on the northeast by China, Nepal, and Bhutan; and on the east by Myanmar (Burma). The Himalayas form the northern boundary of India. Its northeastern portion encloses Bangladesh on three sides. It fronts the Bay of Bengal on the southeast and the Arabian Sea on the southwest. Offshore to the southeast lies the island republic of Sri Lanka. The capital of India is New Delhi. The area of India is about 1,222,559 square miles (3,166,414 square km).

History - The earliest periods of Indian history are known only through reconstructions from archaeological evidence. In the late 20th century, much new data emerged, allowing a far fuller reconstruction than was formerly possible. This section will discuss five major periods: (1) the early prehistoric period (before the 8th millennium BC), (2) the period of the prehistoric agriculturalists and pastoralists (approximately the 8th to the mid-4th millennium BC), (3) the Early Indus or Early Harappan Period (so called after the excavated city of Harappa), witnessing the emergence of the first cities in the Indus River system (c. 3500–2600 BC), (4) the Indus, or Harappan, Civilization (c. 2600–2000 BC, or perhaps ending as late as 1750 BC), and (5) the Post-Urban Period, which follows the Indus Civilization and precedes the rise of cities in northern India during the second quarter of the 1st millennium BC (c. 1750–750 BC).

Religion - India is a secular country. Thus it does not recognize itself with any religion. India has no state religion. People of all religions live together in harmony in the Indian sub-continent. Some common religions that Indians follow include Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Christianity and Buddhism, Hinduism being the most popular.

Way of Life - While urban settlements have sprung up with the process of modernization, the majority of Bhutanese people still live in small rural villages. An agricultural based economy, small family farms are the predominant way of life and the farming the most common occupation.  

       Although there is considerable regional variation in Indian cuisine, the day-to-day diet of most Indians lacks variety. Depending on income, two or three meals generally are consumed.

Environment - India is renowned for its rich culture and heritage throughout the world. The Himalayas are one of the most exotic tourist spots in the entire world. The air is serene and free from pollution. In the Bay of Bengal are the Andaman and Nicobar islands, which are also famous for their beauty. So India has a very rich culture as well as a beautiful and peaceful atmosphere.