India
File:Flag of India.png | |
Flag | |
[[File:|100px]] | |
Coat of arms | |
Capital | New Delhi |
---|---|
Largest city | Mumbai |
Official languages | Hindi, English |
Government type | Federal parliamentary constitutional republic |
Monarch | |
Prime Minister | Narendra Modi |
Area | 3,287,263 km² |
Population | 1,428,627,663 () |
Currency | Indian Rupee (₹) |
Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
Drives on | left |
Calling code | +91 |
Internet TLD | .in |
India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by land area, the most populous country in the world, and the largest democracy. India is bordered by Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. It shares maritime borders with Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
India has a rich cultural and historical heritage, being the birthplace of religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Its economy is among the largest in the world, with strong sectors in information technology, agriculture, and manufacturing.
Etymology
The name "India" is derived from the River Indus and has been in use since ancient times.
History
India's history dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization. It later saw the rise of empires like the Mauryas, Guptas, Mughals, and eventually came under British colonial rule until 1947.
Government and Politics
India is a federal parliamentary republic with a president as the head of state and a prime minister as the head of government.
Geography
India features diverse landscapes ranging from the Himalayas in the north to the Indian Ocean in the south.
Economy
India's economy is among the top five globally in terms of GDP. Major industries include IT services, textiles, and pharmaceuticals.
Culture
India is known for its cultural diversity in food, language, religion, music, and festivals. Bollywood is one of the world’s largest film industries.