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India

✨ The land of a thousand colors

India is a large country in South Asia, bordered by Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar, with a long coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Its capital is New Delhi, while Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata are among its major urban centers. Covering about 3.3 million square kilometres, India has a remarkably varied geography.

The Himalayas form a high mountain barrier in the north, while the fertile Indo-Gangetic Plain stretches across much of northern India. Farther south lies the Deccan Plateau, bordered by coastal plains and mountain ranges such as the Western and Eastern Ghats. The country also includes the Thar Desert in the northwest and several island groups. Major rivers, particularly the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Godavari, support agriculture, ecosystems and human settlement.

India's climate varies considerably because of its size, relief and the influence of the monsoon. Many regions experience a rainy season linked to the summer monsoon, while the northwest is much drier and the Himalayan areas are colder. India is home to about 1.46 billion people, according to World Bank data for 2025, making it the world's most populous country.

Its economy includes agriculture, manufacturing and a large service sector, with important activities in information technology, trade and finance. India has experienced rapid economic and urban development in recent decades, although development levels differ between regions. Its geography provides fertile land, extensive coastlines, forests, rivers and mineral resources, while also creating challenges such as water stress, floods, droughts, heat and environmental degradation.

💡 Did you know?

Did you know that India invented the game of chess? Over 1,500 years ago, it was called 'Chaturanga,' which means 'four divisions of the army.' At the time, the pieces did not look like today's: there were elephants instead of bishops, chariots instead of rooks, and royal cavalry. It was a game to train kings in war strategy before it became the calm and intelligent game we know!

In India, life is so respected that cows are considered sacred. They can roam freely in the middle of cars, buses, and honking horns in big cities! Drivers stop patiently to let them pass and residents often give them food for good luck. For Indians, the cow is a symbol of kindness and a mother who generously gives her milk.

Did you know that the number 'zero' was invented in India? Before, no one knew how to write 'nothing.' Indian scholars had the idea of drawing a small circle to say that a place was empty. Without this zero, computers, tablets, and rockets would not exist today! It is one of India's most important gifts to humanity.