Facts About India – A Billion and Growing
One of the most astounding facts about India is that it is a country one-third the size of the United States with a population of over 1 billion people, and that number is on the rise. India is one of the fastest growing countries in the world today, and it is quickly becoming a major player in world politics and global influence.
India is located on the southern tip of the Asian Continent, and it is bordered by water on two sides: the Arabian Sea to the west, and the Bay of Bengal to the east. The Country of Pakistan in on India’s northwest border. To the north northeast is China and directly northeast is Nepal, with whom India shares the Himalayas. The small Country of Bhutan also lies to the east of India.
The capital of India is the City of New Delhi, which itself has an estimated population of around 18 million people. The Indian cities of Calcutta (Kolkata) and Bombay (Mumbai) are also among the world’s more populous cities with 15 million people and 19 million people respectively.
Facts About India – The People
There’s no question that India is one of the most populated countries on the planet, and it is second only to China as far as the number of people is concerned. Among its more than 1 billion residents, the official language is Hindi, but there are up to 14 other official languages used in India, including Punjabi, Sanskrit and English. The most common religion is Hindu, and there are very small groups of Muslims and Christians as well.
India is often seen as a devastatingly poor nation where the population is starving and uneducated, but this is not a true picture of India. It is estimated that approximately 27 percent of Indian people currently live below the poverty line. Although that number is high, it is not the majority of Indian people. Most Indians are educated and have a decent quality of life.
Facts About India – The Places
The most popular places in India are obviously the major cities of New Delhi, Bombay and Calcutta. India also has its fair share of historic sites, one of which is the Taj Mahal, which is located in the city of Agra about 200 km. south of New Delhi.
The Taj Mahal is probably India’s most recognizable landmark, and it dates back to the 17th Century. It’s history is remarkable in that it was built by grieving Mughal emperor Shah Jahan after his third and favorite wife died during childbirth. The palace and its surrounding buildings and gardens combine to be one of the world’s best examples of Muslim architecture, and the Taj Mahal has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since the late 1980s.
The Taj Mahal attracts millions of visitors every year, and it was voted one of the new wonders of the world in 2007.