The Republic of India is the 7th largest country in the world, and is located in South Asia. It is the 2nd most heavily populated country on the planet, and has the largest population among the democratic countries. India is bordered by the Indian Ocean towards the south, and on its west coast lies the Arabian Sea. The country is also bordered by the Bay of Bengal towards the east, and has a total coastline of 7,517 kilometers. Among the countries that India shares borders with are Pakistan, which lies to the west, China, Nepal, and Bhutan with which it shares its northeast border, and Bangladesh and Myanmar, which are its neighbors to the east. The country is located near Sri Lanka, the Maldives islands, and Indonesia.

India has the distinction of being the birthplace of the Indus Valley Civilization, and it has a rich history of trade with many countries, as well as a heritage of far reaching empires. In fact, the entire subcontinent was known for its considerable commercial and cultural accomplishments for several centuries.

India can also lay claim to being the birthplace of four of the world’s most influential religions, namely Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. With the coming of the first millennium CE, India also became home to scores of Zoroastrians, Jews, Christians and Moslems, all of whom played significant roles in the country’s diverse religious and cultural makeup.

The British East India Company annexed India over a period of several years beginning in the early part eighteenth century. The country was later colonized by the United Kingdom, and it would be 1947 before the country was to achieve its independence. India’s struggle for freedom was notable in that it was brought about by largely nonviolent means.

Today, India is a democratic republic that is comprised of 28 states and seven territories. The country has the twelfth largest economy in the world market, and its purchasing ability is fourth in the world. Although widespread economic initiatives have caused a growth in the India’s economy, the country remains burdened with poverty, a high level of illiteracy, and problems associated with malnutrition.

India’s society is particularly distinct in that it is made up of a wide variety of different languages and ethnic backgrounds. The country also has an amazingly rich and diverse wildlife, which the government has sought to protect with certain areas designated for their use.

Geographically speaking, India is just as diverse, with snow tipped mountains stretching up from dazzling beaches. The country remains a center of trade and commerce to this day, with quaint corner shops and stalls standing side by side with sophisticated designer stores. Truly a unique and vibrant country in more ways than one, India remains one of the world’s most fascinating countries.