The Republic of India is a country in Asia that has the second largest population in the world, with a population of more than one billion people, and is the seventh largest country by geographical area. The country's population has grown rapidly since the mid-1980s.
The country's economy is the fourth largest in the world in terms of GDP, measured by purchasing power parity, and one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
The country has the largest liberal democratic system in the world, has also emerged as an important regional power, has the largest military power and has nuclear weapons capabilities.
Located in South Asia with a coastline of 7,000 km, and part of the Indian subcontinent, the country is part of an important and historic trade route.
He shares borders with Pakistan, People's Republic of China, Myanmar. Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Afghanistan. Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia are contiguous archipelagic countries.
India is home to ancient civilizations such as the Indus Valley Culture and is the birthplace of four of the world's major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. The country was part of the United Kingdom before gaining independence in 1947.
India has an economy that ranks 10th in currency conversion and 4th largest in PPP. It has the fastest growing economy on record at around 8% in 2003.
Due to its large population, its PPP per capita income is only US$3,262, ranked 125th by the World Bank. Its foreign exchange reserves are about US$143 billion.
Mumbai is the financial capital of the country and is also the home of the Reserve Bank of India and the Bombay Stock Exchange. Although a quarter of the population still lives below the poverty line, a large middle class has emerged due to the rapid growth of the information technology industry.
India is divided into 28 states (which are then divided into districts), six Union Territory and the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
The states have their own elected government, while the Union Territories are governed by a board appointed by a union government, although some have an appointed government.
Indian states and territories: Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal.
Union Territory: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep, Pondicherry. Plus the area of the National Capital: Delhi
Indian culture is full of syncretism and cultural pluralism. This culture continues to absorb customs, traditions, and thoughts from colonizers and immigrants while continuing to maintain established traditions and spread its culture to other places in Asia.
The traditional culture has a relatively strict social hierarchy. From an early age, children are taught about their role and position in society. This tradition is strengthened by the belief in gods and spirits who are considered to play an important and inseparable role in their lives.
In the caste system, social stratification and restrictions are set in social life in the Indian subcontinent. Social classes are formed by thousands of hereditary groups who practice endogamy, commonly known as jati or caste.