The Republic of India is the second most populous country in the world, with a population of more than one billion. It is situated in South Asia and is the seventh largest country by geographical area. India is home to most of the Indus Valley Civilization and has given birth to four major world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. Sikhism is the youngest of these religions and the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak was born in Punjab which formed part of old pre-colonial India. Punjab, a northern state of India is where the majority of Sikhs live; an estimated 21 million Sikhs are to be found in this state.

Before partition in 1947, India extended into present-day Pakistan and Bangladesh. Before the period of Muslim rule, this territory is also called 'Bharat' by many of its citizens; other names also include: Hindustan, British India, etc.

India's population and its strategic importance has grown significantly in importance in the last two decades. Indian's economy is the fourth largest in the world with respect to gross domestic product, measured in terms of purchasing power parity, and is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. As the world's largest liberal democracy, India has also emerged as an important regional power, possessing one of the world's largest military forces with a declared nuclear weapons capability. India also with its Chandrayaan Mission reached the moon and , worldwide economic downturn notwithstanding, has plans to put men into space as well. It is one of the world's leaders in numbers of satellites, of various types, orbiting the earth.

India constitutes most of the Indian subcontinent, and straddles many important and historic trade routes. It shares its borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh (both once part of India), the People's Republic of China, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, and Afghanistan. The country was a part of the British Empire before gaining independence in 1947.

External linksEdit

• Wikipedia article on India.
• Wikitravel article on India.
• india.gov.in Indian government main site

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