India

Introduction
India is an influential nation in South Asia, home to the world’s second largest population. It is a country of bulk variety, arguably the most varied nation in the world, whether it concerns religious, cultural, or ethnic diversity. It operates the world’s most vigorous democratic republic, and has had a key voice in global affairs since its "creation" with the division of the Indian subcontinent shortly after the Second World War by the British Empire. Within its geographical confines, stretching from the Great Himalayas in the north to the tropical peninsular south, there is a dizzying variety of languages, cultures, ethnic groups, beliefs and lifestyles.
Much of India's fascination lies in the fact that it is both a young nation and an ancient country rolled into one, where the past and the present constantly collide. The Indo-Aryans evolved a very distinctive culture that continues to be part of India's living tradition. One of India's great paradoxes is that the orthodoxy and rigidities of its society have been continually tempered by revolts and reforms, as well as by outside influences. There are 17 major languages and hundreds of dialects in India. Hindi is spoken by the largest number of people.
India's culture, like its people, is a rich mosaic whose myriad elements have been born of its ancient roots, its foreign influences and its regional variety. India's classical dance and music are highly developed forms, based on texts that are 2,000 years old. The culture has been enriched by successive waves of migration which were absorbed into the Indian way of life. Its physical, religious and racial variety is as immense as its linguistic diversity. Underneath this diversity lies the continuity of Indian civilization and social structure from the very earliest times until the present day. 

Geography
India is the 7th largest country in the world, with a total land area of 3,287,263 sq. km. It is bordered to the southwest by the Arabian... [continues]

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