- a state in South Asia, occupying most of the Hindustan peninsula.

Official name of India:
Republic of India. The official name of the country, India, comes from the ancient Persian word "Sindhu" - the historical name of the Indus River. The Constitution of India also recognizes a second name, Bharat, which comes from the Sanskrit name of an ancient Indian king whose history was described in the Mahabharata. The third name, Hindustan, has been used since the time of the Mughal Empire, but has no official status.

Territory of India:
The area of ​​the state of the Republic of India is 3287590 km².

Population of India:
The population of India is more than 1 billion inhabitants (1126000000 people).

Ethnic groups of India:
In India, there are several hundred nations, nationalities and tribes, the largest of them are: Hindustanis, Telugu, Marathas, Bengalis, Tamils, Gujaratis, Kannara, Punjabis, etc.

Average life expectancy in India:
The average life expectancy in India is equal to - 63.62 years (see. Rating of countries in the world by average life expectancy).

Capital of India:
New Delhi (Delhi).

Major cities in India:
New Delhi (Delhi), Kolkata (over 16 million inhabitants), Mumbai (Bombay) (over 15 million inhabitants), Chennai (Madras) (6 million inhabitants), Hyderabad (5 million inhabitants), Bangalore (4 .5 million inhabitants), Ahmedabad (4 million inhabitants).

State language of India:
Hindi, English. More than 30 different languages ​​and 2000 dialects are spoken in India. The Constitution of India stipulates that Hindi and English are the two languages ​​of the national government, i.e. state languages. In addition, there is an official list of 22 languages ​​(scheduled languages) that can be used by Indian state governments for various administrative purposes.

It was planned that in 1965 English would lose the status of the state language and be called the "additional state language" until the full transition to Hindi was completed. However, due to the protests of some states in which Hindi did not become widespread, the situation was maintained when two languages ​​are state. Due to rapid industrialization, and multinational influence in the economy, English continues to be a popular and influential means of communication in government and business.

Religion in India:
Hindus - 81.3% of the population of India, Muslims - 12%, Christians - 2.3%, Sikhs - 1.9%, other groups (including Buddhists, Jains, Nestorians, Parsi, etc.) - 2.5%.

Geographic location of India:
India is a state in South Asia, occupying most of the Hindustan peninsula. India borders Pakistan to the west, China, Nepal and Bhutan to the northeast, Bangladesh and Myanmar to the east. In addition, India has maritime borders with the Maldives in the southwest, with Sri Lanka in the south and with Indonesia in the southeast. The disputed territory of the state of Jammu and Kashmir shares a border with Afghanistan.

India is a huge triangular country in southern Asia, bordered by the Himalayas on the north and the Indian Ocean on the south.
Sri Lanka is located off the northern coast of India. India covers an area of ​​3,287,590 km, although this figure is not entirely accurate as parts of the border are disputed by China and Pakistan.

North India has the snowy peaks and valleys of the Himalayas and the vast Indo-Gangetic Plain that separates the Himalayas from the southern peninsula and stretches from the Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal. South of the plains, the landscape rises into the Deccan Plateau, which is triangular in shape and ranges from 300 to 900 meters above sea level. The plateau is bordered by the Eastern and Western Ghats, hills that run parallel along the eastern and western coasts of Hindustan and separate the fertile coastal regions from the interior.

Rivers of India:
Brahmaputra, Ganges, Godavari, Indus, Krishna (river), Sabarmati.

Administrative-territorial division of India:
India is made up of twenty-eight states (which in turn are divided into districts), six union territories and the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Each state has its own elected government, while the union territories are governed by an administrator appointed by the union government. However, some union territories have their own elected governments.

States of India:

Andhra Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh

Gujarat

Jammu and Kashmir

Jharkhand

West Bengal

Karnataka

• Madhya Pradesh

• Maharashtra

  Meghalaya

• Nagaland

• Rajasthan

• Tamil Nadu

• Uttaranchal

  Uttar Pradesh

• Himachal Pradesh

  Chhattisgarh

Union Territories of India:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Dadra and Nagar Haveli

Daman and Diu

Lakshadweep

National Capital Territory of Delhi

Pondicherry

Chandigarh

State structure of India:
The executive power in India is exercised by the president, vice president and government headed by the prime minister. The president is elected for a five-year term by an electoral college composed of members of both houses of parliament and members of the state legislatures. The president can be re-elected for a second term. The vice president is elected by an electoral college for a five-year period by members of both houses of parliament. The vice president is also chairman of the Council of States (the upper house of parliament). The prime minister is appointed by the president, but the leader of the party or coalition that has the majority of mandates in the lower house, to which the government is accountable, is nominated. Ministers, who are also officially approved by the president, are nominated by the prime minister. The government forms the Council of Ministers, which is responsible for the operation of the administrative machine and the determination of state policy.

The President of India appoints the President of the Supreme Court, on the recommendation of the latter, the members of the Supreme Court and the high courts of the states, as well as other senior officials. All legislative acts of the Indian Parliament, and in part local acts, come into force after signing them by the President. The President performs legislative activities during the breaks in the work of Parliament, which approves presidential decrees. The head of state has the right to declare a state of emergency in the states. The president can impose martial law in the country in the event of a serious threat to security due to external aggression or armed rebellion. The corresponding presidential declaration needs to be approved by both houses of parliament within a month. The President has the power to issue laws during martial law that are binding on all states of the country.

The Parliament of India consists of two houses - the upper Rajya Sabha, or Council of States, and the lower Lok Sabha, or House of People.
The deputies of the Lok Sabha, of whom there were 545 in 1998, are elected (except for two from the Anglo-Indian community) by direct, universal and secret suffrage in constituencies formed in the states and union territories. One of the members of parliament is also the president of the country. The quota of each administrative-territorial unit is proportional to the population. The Lok Sabha can pass a vote of no confidence in the government and demand its removal. The lower house is elected for a term of 5 years, but the president has the right to dissolve it earlier on the recommendation of the prime minister or in the event the government is dismissed. Laws related to the financial sector are adopted only by the Lok Sabha.

The maximum number of members of the Rajya Sabha is 245.
Almost all of them (with the exception of 12) are elected in the legislatures of the states and union territories. The rest are appointed by the president, taking into account their contribution to literature, science, art and their social activities. The Rajya Sabha cannot be dissolved, but at the end of every second year there is a one-third rotation of the House. As a result, the deputy corps is completely replaced every 6 years.

Legislative acts must pass through both houses of parliament.
The Rajya Sabha has veto power over those relating to financial matters, although the House is not excluded from recommending a reconsideration. Other discrepancies are discussed in joint session, in which the members of the chambers have one vote each, which ensures the advantage of the Lok Sabha.

The Government Civil Services of India includes three blocks:
at the level of the country as a whole, the states and within the framework of the all-Indian departments, which have their leading divisions in the center, states and union territories. Until 1961, only the Indian Administrative Service and the Indian Police Service belonged to such departments. Subsequently, the Indian Engineering Service, the Indian Health Service and the Indian Forest Service were also established.

The Constitution of India contains a provision for independent commissions in the departments of government, which must conduct attestation and confirm officials in civil institutions. Central organizations, for example, in the areas of taxation, postal services, customs operations, and the Central Secretariat rely on their own rules and procedures for the selection of personnel.

The Indian Administrative Service of India (IAS) has approximately 3,000 senior staff.
It is replenished annually by 100 college graduates, of which 75% are accepted on the basis of a tough competition and 25% - on the recommendation of local branches of the IAS. IAS personnel hold important positions in the districts and work in national and state government agencies.

The planning commission was established by a cabinet decision in 1950 as an advisory body on the planned economic development of India, headed by the prime minister.

The system of government in the states of India.
The executive power in the states is represented by the governor, who is appointed by the president for a five-year term. The Governor appoints the chief minister of the state, who is the leader of the majority party or party coalition in the legislature, and entrusts him with the formation of the state council of ministers. In his actions, the governor is guided by the recommendations of the council of ministers headed by the chief minister. Ministers are collectively responsible to the state legislature, which is elected for 5 years by popular vote in the territorial districts. Most states have small upper houses, or legislative councils. Their members are either chosen by a specially agreed electorate or appointed by the governor.

Before being signed by the governor, laws must be approved in both chambers.
In the event of a divergence of their positions, the constitutional procedure leaves the final decision to the lower house. It is she who has the right to legislative disposal of finances. It is the responsibility of the Governor to send some of the laws passed to the President of India for approval.

Center and states: the division of power.
The division of power between the capital and the states is governed by three registries. The first one lists approx. 100 functions assigned to federal agencies, including defense, foreign policy, money circulation and taxation. The second contains 66 articles reflecting the tasks entrusted to state administrations, incl. maintenance of public order, police activities, judiciary, local government, ensuring the development of education, health, social services and agriculture. In addition, the national government depends on the province for nearly all rural development programs. The third register indicates those areas of activity for which both the center and the states are responsible.

The collection of the most important taxes in India is the responsibility of the central government, which strengthens its position in considering the distribution of the proceeds between the capital and the states, to which it allocates grants and loans for various development projects. However, the balance of power is only favorable to the Indian government when the state is in the same party that governs the country, and the prime minister is popular and can appeal directly to the electorate.

The balance of power between the center and the periphery changes when a state of emergency is declared in India.
Introducing it by decree in any state, the president (together with the Indian Parliament, if events occur during the session) gets the opportunity to issue legislative acts for that state. Parliament must approve the decision of the head of state within two months and then confirm its previous position every six months. A state of emergency may be introduced for a period not exceeding three years. In the 1970s and 1980s, the removal of state governments by the President of India and the establishment of direct rule from Delhi were used more than once on the ground in order to prevent opposition parties from coming to power.

Local government in India.
During the years of British rule, the district (zila), headed by an official from the Indian Administrative Service, became the main administrative unit. The districts, numbering at least 1.3 million inhabitants, retained their importance in independent India. However, the key structure was the "development block" (there are about 6,000 of them in the country), covering approximately 100 villages with a total of 100,000 inhabitants. These blocks are headed by approx. 6,000 officials who are subordinate to the staff of specialists for engineering work and the dissemination of advanced business practices. In addition to this, since the late 1950s, the government has been encouraging the formation of local self-government bodies based on village councils - panchayats. The new system has acquired a standardized structure: the lower level - panchayats formed by voting in the villages, the middle - panchayat committees indirectly elected in "blocs", and the upper - district councils (zila parishad), to which these committees send their representatives to coordinate programs actions.

At its core, India is a federal state and includes six union territories, as well as twenty-eight states. Each territory has its own elected government. In the middle of the 20th century, the states of India underwent a reorganization along linguistic lines. At the same time, new states continued to be formed by dividing Indian territories without changing their administrative structure.

Each state is beautiful in itself and attracts the attention of many tourists and travelers. Especially unique are Goa, Kerala, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka. These territories display in their monasteries and temples many Indian religions, Arabian culture, Buddhism and Jainism.

The western states of Kashmir, Gujarat, Jammu, Bengal are rich in their national parks, martial arts traditions and ancient religions are preserved here. The center of India is the state of Madhya Pradesh, and the largest and most important is Maharashtra.

goa resort

In the south of the country there is a small state of Goa, which is famous for its resorts and attractions. Once its territory was a colony of Portugal. Today the state capital is Panjim. Goa is an ideal place for family and active holidays on the coast. There are comfortable hotels with European service and restaurants, luxurious beaches with white sand, ancient Catholic churches and monasteries.

The best time to visit the state is in October-March. The crystal blue lagoons of the Arabian Sea attract numerous diving enthusiasts as well as ordinary travelers to the resorts of the state. The coastal strip includes forty clean and comfortable beaches. Around them are cozy restaurants and cafes. Goa has Ayurvedic centers, spas, casinos and luxurious nightclubs. For a relaxing holiday, there is a very large selection of exciting and interesting excursions to mountain waterfalls in the jungle and to ancient monuments.

This Indian state is often referred to as "Little Portugal" and is very Europeanized. Luxury boarding houses allow you to fully enjoy a relaxing beach holiday, while tourists are surrounded by clear water, exotic fruit trees, palm groves and true peace.

Cape Dona Paula is an amazingly beautiful place. Its picturesque landscape has repeatedly become a location for the filming of famous Indian films. As for the northern parts of the state, they are attractive to active youth. North Goa will offer travelers many adventures and amazing acquaintances. There are hippie settlements, noisy nightclubs, Turtle Coast, where large turtles come to lay their eggs every year. Those who seek solitude can go to the village of Arambol or Tirakol.

Kerala

Kerala is a land of gods and many religions. The name of the state means "Land of the Coconut". Kerala also has a large number of well-maintained resorts with sandy beaches. Its territory is called the Indian Venice. Here you can enjoy the magnificent water channels that stretch for several kilometers. Around them are rice and mango fields, as well as coconut palm groves. Kerala is a unique place - martial arts, Indian dances and spiritual practices are honored and preserved here. The state has a famous Ayurvedic university, so Kerala is the birthplace of philosophical teachings.

The state is located in the south of the country and its capital is Thiruvananthapuram. Kerala has many truly heavenly places, so this Indian territory is considered one of the most beautiful on the planet. Kerala has uplands in the east, picturesque hills in the central parts of the state and flat plains in the west. The mountainous region is home to tea plantations and beautiful lakes.

The best time to visit Kerala is from December to April. The capital of the state is considered one of the most beautiful Indian cities - there is a Vishnu temple, an ancient fortress, as well as the best zoo in the country, which resembles a botanical garden. On the coast, you can take a fascinating boat trip across the Indian Ocean and see exotic islands. You can also go to the mountains. The road to the peaks lies among the plantations of tea and spices, and on the way there are elephants. On the way to the mountains, you can visit ancient temples and cathedrals.

All lovers of shopping will be interested in visiting the city of Cochin in Kerala. On December 1, a real shopping festival is held here - a large number of leather, antiques, clothing and jewelry dealers come to the city. There are also a lot of jewelry stores in Cochin. Rest in Kerala is full of exoticism and spirituality and does not leave indifferent even the Indian rich.

Karnataka

The real edge of the most picturesque national reserves and parks is the state of Karnataka. It is located in the south of India and borders on Goa. Karnataka is quite a large territory, its capital is Bangalore. Once upon a time there was a mighty empire, traces of which are still found among the mountains. The ancient state fell in the 19th century and the state became Muslim controlled.

Today, agriculture is the backbone of the state's economy. Although many Indian states are focusing their economy on the tourism business. Rice, legumes, as well as ragi and jowar are grown here in various valleys. Cotton and silk are produced in the north. Karnataka has a large number of coffee plantations. This Indian state is the main region of India, where many varieties of coffee are harvested. As for the capital Bangalore, due to the large number of research institutions, the city was nicknamed India's "Silicon Valley".

Going to Karnataka on vacation, you should be aware of the humid subtropical climate of the area. From June to the end of September there are monsoons. The hottest months are April and May.

The main attractions of the state, which attract many tourists, are the giant statue of the god Shiva on a hill near the Arabian Sea and Hampi. There is also a large Shiva temple here. Pilgrims are attracted by the village of Gokarna - the place where, according to ancient legends, Shiva took the form of a cow. This Indian village has many sacred reservoirs and small temples.

In the north of the state is Hampi, the ruins of the former capital of the Vijayanagar Empire. Here you can admire the ancient architectural structures and visit the important active Hindu temples. A large number of pilgrims flock to Hampi.

Karnataka has a coastline with well-maintained resorts. Shaded palm groves, picturesque white sand beaches, luxurious hotels and natural harbors always delight tourists who come here from around the world. The resorts of the state allow you to have a great rest away from noisy cities and get incredible impressions from the exotic nature of India. For guests of the coast, walks with dolphins, trips to the islands by boat, visits to local temples and colorful waterfalls are provided. The most popular beaches are Malpe, Devbach, Karwar.

Karnataka is also famous for its coastal cities of Gokarna and Mangalore. The latter has a major Indian port and a Hindu temple. Mangalore is a very popular place among tourists - on the beach you can rent a comfortable cottage with a swimming pool. Not far from the city, a safari is held and there is an aquarium.

The city of the state of Mysore is famous for its special Muslim monuments. Near the settlement there are famous national parks where tigers, panthers, elephants and other representatives of exotic fauna are found.

Maharashtra

This Indian state is one of the most important and largest. It lies parallel to the coast and is surrounded by low mountains. The area is famous for its dance and music. The state capital of Mumbai is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world. The best time to visit Maharashtra is September-May.

The state includes six areas that have beautiful beaches. Here you can rent a luxurious bungalow on the beach and enjoy a quiet and relaxing seaside holiday. Near Dahanu-Bordi beach there is a Hindu temple in which a sacred fire burns. The mountainous regions also have their own resorts.

The state has a large number of ancient attractions - Lake Lonar, the Ashtavinayak temple complex of eight temples, unique palaces, fortresses and caves.

Orissa

The state of Orissa is located in the south of the country. Its coastal strip is a vast valley. There is a large salt lake, which is connected by canals to the ocean. People traveling in India are attracted by the capital of the state of Bhubaneswar and coastal settlements. The local places are famous for their own Hindu temples and the picturesque Simlipal National Park, where tigers and elephants are found. Orissa is home to small Indian tribes who are very hospitable to tourists.

Rajasthan

In the western part of the country is the state of Rajasthan, which is called the "land of the raja". Once upon a time, these lands were ruled by maharajas who adhered to an ancient religion. The states of India have their own rules and treaties, but Rajahstan enjoys special privileges. In its cities there are pink and white temples, luxurious palaces, museums. Colorful fairs and various festivals are often held in Rajahstan. Each territory of India has its own characteristics and nuances. A visit to this exotic and fabulous country will leave many vivid impressions and make you return to the ancient architecture and resorts of India more than once.

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