India

India is a large country in south Asia on the Indian peninsula, extending southwards from the Himalaya mountain range into the Indian ocean. With a total area of 3287240 sq km India measures 3000km from north to south and almost 3000km from its eastermost tip to its westernmost tip. It is a parliamentary republic and the most populous democracy in the world. India is home to one of the oldest civilisations in the world, the Indus valley civilisation, which developed starting from 3300 BCE in western India. Over the centuries several states formed in the current Indian territory. Three major religions, Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism originated in India, while Islam arrived in the first millennium CE and shaped the region's diverse culture. India was first unified under one rule during the British colonial period and gained independence in 1947.
India is the world's 12th largest economy in terms of GDP. Economic reforms initiated in 1991 have set its economy on a development path with high annual GDP growth rates. India however still suffers from high levels of poverty, illiteracy and malnutrition. India has an impressive cultural heritage and highly interesting nature and wildlife and diverse sceneries. Tourism in India is relatively undeveloped, but growing at double digits rates.