Learn everything you need to know about India in under 2 minutes!
Est. Population:
1,296,834,042
Demonym:
Indian
Religions:
Hindu (79.8%)
Muslim (14.2%)
Christian (2.3%)
Other/Unspecified (2.0%)
Sikh (1.7%)
Largest City:
Mumbai (12,442,373)
Other Cities:
New Delhi (11,034,555)
Bengaluru (8,443,675)
Chennai (7,088,000)
Hyderabad (6,731,790)
Ahmedabad (5,577,940)
Region:
Southern Asia
Bodies of Water:
Arabian Sea (West)
Bay of Bengal (East)
Indian Ocean (South)
Total Area:
3,287,263 km2 (90.4% land, 9.6% water)
Total Land:
13,888 km
Total Coastline:
7,000 km
Climate
Temperate in the north
Tropical monsoon in the south
Terrain:
Plateau in the south
Flat to rolling plains in the north
Western deserts
Mountains to the north and east
Highest Point
Kanchenjunga (8,598 m)
Lowest Point
Sea Level
Natural Disasters
Flooding
Droughts
Severe thunderstorms
Earthquakes
Type:
Federal Republic
Head of State:
President Ram Nath Kovind
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Admin. Divisions
29 States
7 Union territories
Independence:
15 August 1947 (from the United Kingdom)
Nat'l Symbol:
Lion Capital of Ashoka
Nat'l Anthem:
Jana Gana Mana
GDP Per Capita
$6,200 (USD)
Currency
₹ (Rupee)
Exchange Rate
$1 (USD) = ₹ (Rupee)70.26
Internet Code
.in
Telephone Code
+91
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When entering somebody’s house in India, it is imperative that you remove all footwear.
Using your left hand, especially when eating, is frowned upon, as it is custom to use your left hand when completing sanitary tasks.
To greet or welcome somebody, clasp the palms of both hands together.
Unless the person explicitly shakes their head in disagreement or adamantly replies negatively with some sort of head movement, assume all other head movements to mean that the person is following or agreeing with what you are saying, as many of these head movements can be very ambiguous to the outsider.
Gifts are not expected until a relationship develops. Acceptable gifts include chocolates, flowers that are not white, and items from your home country.
Never refuse food but do not feel obliged to finish your plate. If absolutely necessary, ask for smaller portions.
When you negotiate, start with small talk first. Negotiations tend to be slow and done by the most senior person. Expect a lot of uncertainty while negotiating.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/in.html (Majority of information)
http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_2_PR_Cities_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf (City population data)
Wolfram|Alpha (Currency exchange data)
Information accurate to best of ability as of 8 November 2016
1India's census does not take into account ethnicity. The numbers listed are approximations from 2000.