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India, officially
Known as ‘Republic of India’ (in Hindi known as
Bharat or Hindustan), is the seventh largest and second most
populous country in the world. India is vast and has a huge
population of 1 billion. At times it can feels as if the whole
population is in the same place at the same time as you! You
will become fascinated with India, its cultures, its people,
and the continuous stream of activity going on around you.

India is bordered on the north by Pakistan, China, Nepal,
and Bhutan; on the east by Bangladesh, Myanmar (formerly known
as Burma), and the Bay of Bengal; on the south by the Palk
Strait and the Gulf of Mannar (which separates it from India)
and the Indian Ocean; and on the west by the Arabian Sea and
Pakistan. At one point, ‘Lands End’ at Kanyakumari,
three seas meet - the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the
Bay of Bengal.
The sights, sounds, and scenery of India are unique and amazing
with grandiose temples, lush paddy fields and stunning beaches.
In the north, Shrub-land and desert create a sublime backdrop
and a visit to the ‘Golden Triangle’ (Delhi/Agra/Jaipur/Delhi)
will take your breathe away. It is divided into 26 states
and 6 union territories, and has 17 major languages with 844
dialects, making this country and its people culturally diverse.
Religion plays an important role in the life of the country,
and is one of the few countries in the world which have such
an ancient and diverse culture. Their arts and crafts are
world renowned with sport being one of their favorite past
times, and cricket still acting as one of the most popular
activities.
SOUTH INDIA:
In the south you can explore quaint waterways, beautiful sandy
beaches, and meander through forests and coconut groves. There
are also the famous, awe-inspiring temples at Madurai (where
the southern placements are situated) which should not be
missed! And for a bit of cool relief, you can catch 'toy trains'
to different hill stations such as Kodaikanal, which are dotted
around this region.
Madurai or as it is known – the "city of nectar",
is the oldest and second largest city within the state of
Tamil Nadu. The city is located on Vaigai River and was the
capital of Pandyan rulers till the 14th century. It is full
of cultural diversity - a bustling city with plenty of activities
going on. The Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple is the centre
of attraction for the town; with its mass of religious activities,
and its surroundings of tailors and tourist shops to attract
the big spenders. If you are after an overwhelming experience,
then Madurai is a certainty for this!
Also, on the South- Eastern peninsular, The Maharajah's Palace
near Mysore is stunning and a must-see place. The Palace is
set in its own walled grounds, about the size of a small town,
with a temple in each corner, complete with intricately carved
towers. Inside the palace the rooms are beautiful, Moorish
and neo-Saracenic, the scale is magnificent. Arched and vaulted
with carvings everywhere, and the main reception area, facing
south has beautiful painted ceilings and is open to the parade
ground outside.
NORTH INDIA:
In the north you can trek in the foothills of the Himalayas,
take boat trips on the Ganges River, stroll through forests
and plantations. And you can't miss the Taj Mahal. There is
something to suit everyone.
Delhi is culturally beautiful, and above all a historic city.
Old Delhi contrasts with the formal New Delhi, whose wide
boulevards are mesmerizing. The city is full of energy and
colour, and bustles to live with its’ bazaars and Moghul
architecture. It is a busy and bustling city, yet still retains
a unique charm and elegant nature.
RAJASTHAN:
Rajasthan is a dry and rugged environment, but one of the
most beautiful settings in the world. With the Aravalli Hills
(one of the oldest mountain systems in the world) splitting
through the heart of the country, stretching from Mount Abu
in the southwest to Kota and Bubdi in the east, it is a wondrous
place. The capital of Rajasthan is the excellent and colourful
state of Jaipur, founded by Raja Jai Singh II. It is part
of the ’Golden triangle’ of Delhi-Jaipur-Agra’,
and offers some magnificent buildings, and architecture. The
Old City has a very enticing atmosphere, with its bazaars
and palaces.
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Kingdom of India |
| National name: |
Bharat |
| President: |
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (2002) |
| Prime Minister: |
Manmohan Singh (2004) |
| Land area: |
1,147,949 sq mi (2,973,190 sq km);
total area: 1,269,346 sq mi (3,287,590 sq km) |
| Population
(2006 est.): |
1,095,351,995 (growth rate: 1.4%); birth rate: 22.0/1000;
infant mortality rate: 54.6/1000; life |
| expectancy:
|
64.7; density per sq mi: 954 |
| Capital (2003
est.): |
New Delhi, 17,037,900 (metro. area),
10,203,700 (city proper) |
| Monetary unit:
|
Rupee |
| Principal
languages: |
Hindi (official), English (official),
Bengali, Gujarati, Kashmiri, Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya,
Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Kannada, Assamese, Sanskrit,
Sindhi (all recognized by the constitution). Dialects,
1,600+
Ethnicity/race: Indo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, Mongoloid
and other 3% (2000) |
| Religions:
|
Hindu 81.3%, Islam 12%, Christian
2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other (including Buddhists, Jains, and
Parsis) 2.5% |
| Literacy rate: |
60% (2003 est.) |
| Economic summary:
|
GDP/PPP (2005 est.): $3.699 trillion;
per capita $3,400. |
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