India

India (or Bharat) lies in South Asia. It is the most populous country in the world, with an estimated 1.428 billion people, and the seventh largest by area at 3,287,263 km². About one in six people on Earth lives in India! The country stretches between the Himalayas and the Indian Ocean, bordering Bangladesh and Myanmar to the east, China, Bhutan and Nepal to the north, and Pakistan to the northwest. It is washed by the Arabian Sea to the west and by the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal to the south and southeast.

Throughout history India has been the cradle and crossroads of many great civilisations and religions, and at times its culture was as brilliant and creative as any in history. During the 18th century it gradually came under British rule, and in 1947 it gained independence after a widespread, largely non-violent struggle for self-determination. Today India is one of the fastest-growing economies, although poverty remains a serious social issue.

Because of its huge variety of landscapes, geography and climate, India is often called a subcontinent. Within its borders you will find the towering snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas, the desert state of Rajasthan, the green rainforests of South India, the tropical beaches of Goa, Kerala, Karnataka and other states, and the jungles of central India where tigers and other exotic animals roam. India is a country you can visit all year round, following the seasons and the climate, without ever getting bored! It is also home to many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and you could travel the whole country and find incredible cultural monuments in every corner.