New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad
Independence
:
15 August 1947 (From the UK)
Area
:
3,287,263 sq km
Population
:
1.107 billion (2005-06 estimated)
Government
:
Parliamentary form of government (bi-cameral legislature), Lok Sabha (House of the People – 545 seats) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States – 252 seats).
In Asia between latitudes 8° 4' and 37° 6' north, longitudes 68° 7' and 97° 25' east, surrounded by the Bay of Bengal in the east, the Arabian Sea in the west, the Indian Ocean to the south and the Himalayas in the north.
Climate
:
Three major seasons: summer (April-June), winter (November-March), and monsoons (June/July-October)
Time
:
Indian Standard Time (Canadian East Coast time + 9 ½ hours in summer and 10 ½ hours in winter)
Religions
:
India is a secular state. The main religions are : Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism.
Languages
:
Hindi is the national language; 14 other official languages; English is an important language for national, especially commercial communication.
National Days
:
Independence Day August 15
Republic Day January 26
Coal (4th largest reserves in the world), iron ore, manganese, mica, bauxite, titanium ore, chromites, natural gas, petroleum, limestone, hydel power, arable land
Agro products
:
Rice, wheat, oilseed, cotton, jute, potatoes, cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats, poultry, fish
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