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Facts about India

Kashmira Lad
From sarees to spicy food, beautiful beaches to heavy snowfall; India has it all. Here are some interesting and amazing facts about this country, which give a quick glance of the various cultures and lifestyles followed there.
India boasts a rich culture and diverse traditions across its regions. As the seventh-largest country by geographical area, it has witnessed significant growth in various fields and is home to people of different religions and cultures.
India, the 12th-largest economy globally, grapples with persistent poverty and illiteracy despite its remarkable growth. Renowned for its rich history and diversity, its people are celebrated for their hospitality and friendly nature.
India is surrounded by the Indian Ocean to the south, the Arabian Sea to the west, and the Bay of Bengal to the east. It shares borders with Pakistan to the west, and with China, Bhutan, and Nepal to the northeast. Bangladesh and Myanmar are located to the east.
The earliest signs of human life in this country can be traced to the Bhimbetka rock shelters in Madhya Pradesh. Experts say that the earliest settlements were seen during the Indus Valley Civilization.
The major rivers that flow in India are the Brahmaputra, Ganges, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Mahanadi, Indus, Narmada, and Tapti.
India not only has diverse cultures, this beautiful country has very diverse weather patterns as well. One can enjoy different types of weather conditions. Besides, it also has a very varied topography, which experiences varieties of seasons as well.
In India, deserts lie to the west, glaciers to the north, and rainforests to the southwest, including humid tropical regions. Thus, four seasons occur: warm summers, wet monsoons, a post-monsoon period, and cool winters.
Indian music is very varied and consists of a variety of styles. India's classical music is like a tradition passed on from generations. This classical music is also based on several religious inspirations and beliefs. Apart from traditional classical music, India also has a very interesting mix of folk and pop music as well.
India boasts of a many traditional styles of dancing. Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Odissi, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Sattriya, and Mohiniattam are some of the various styles of Indian classical dance.
Apart from these classical based dances, folk dances are equally interesting and also have a variety of colorful costumes for the dancers.
In terms of architecture, India has many historically significant landmarks that stand as a strong testimonial to the rich history of this very diverse land. Hindu temples go way back to the 5th century. Many Hindu and Buddhist temples are entirely rock cut; this was especially noticed during the medieval period. One can also spot a fine blend of Islamic architecture along with monuments that show Buddhist and Jain influences.
India boasts numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Ajanta Caves, Elephanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Taj Mahal, Goa's churches, Hampi monuments, and Qutub Minar.
There are many languages that are spoken in India, with Hindi being the official language. The millions of native languages spoken here also depend upon the specific region, but Sanskrit and Tamil remain the classical languages according to the Government of India. India has around 22 languages that are officially recognized.
Rabindranath Tagore is a highly regarded Bengali writer from India, who also received the Nobel Prize for Literature (1931). He also penned the national anthem of India―'Jana Gana Mana'.
The national flag, adopted in 1947, features orange for courage and sacrifice, white for peace, and green for faith and prosperity. The Ashok Chakra remains the central motif.
Indian cuisine is known for its spiciness, rich in various spices and herbs. Each region has unique techniques and methods, resulting in diverse dishes.
Rice and rotis form the main food items with various pulses; along with interesting types of pickles. Indian curries are really unique and most sought after in this country.
The Indian film industry is known to be the largest film industry in the world. It is also referred to as Bollywood (this is a blend of the following words―Hollywood and Bombay). Bollywood refers to the Indian film industry based in Mumbai and churns out an amazing number of movies every year (800 films per year approximately).
The charm of Bollywood movies has spread out of India to other countries including the likes of Pakistan, which has enforced a Government ban on films belonging to India.
Indian clothing has definitely made a mark on the global market with a rising demand for typical Indian attire. Sarees are the traditional form of attire for women, and the varied designs of the Indian sarees differ as per region. Apart from sarees, women also wear salwar kameez with a dupatta, which is most preferred as daily casual or even formal wear.
The ghagra choli is traditional attire for special occasions. Men typically wear a dhoti and kurta, or a lungi in South India, and may opt for sherwanis for formal events.
Currently, the Indian streets would reveal a curious mix of western and Indian attire, with the youth preferring to opt for jeans and other forms of stylish western attire as casual wear.
Despite hockey being the national sport, cricket reigns supreme in India. Tennis, soccer, and chess also hold strong appeal.
Despite the advancements in various fields, one of the major setbacks of India is poverty. India, being the second-most populated country, a vast majority of people are known to live below the poverty line. One can note a stark difference in the various lifestyles out here from the filthy rich to the downtrodden and poor section of society.
This information is only a glimpse into this magnificent land; there is more to discover and know about the very incredible India.