India(in Hindi Bharat ), the Republic of India, a state in South Asia, on the Hindustan Peninsula, includes the Laccadive, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It borders China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. The border with China in the Himalayas is unmarked. Area 3.3 million km2 (7th place in the world). In terms of population, it ranks 2nd in the world (after China) - 1 billion 49.7 million people (2003). Member of the Commonwealth. The capital is Delhi (New Delhi). Largest cities: Kolkata, Bombay, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Pune, Kanpur, Nagpur, Jaipur, Lucknow.
Government of India
Federal Republic. The head of state is the president. Elected by a college of voters consisting of both houses of parliament and state legislatures for a 5-year term. The legislative body is a bicameral parliament. Consists of the Council of States (no more than 250 seats, of which 12 are appointed by the president, the rest are elected from state and territory legislatures) and the People's Assembly (545 seats, 543 elected by popular vote, 2 appointed by the president). Executive power is exercised by the government, headed by the prime minister, appointed by the president.
Administrative divisions of India
28 states and 7 union territories under central control.
Population of India
The largest nations: Hindustani, Telugu, Marathi, Bengalis, Tamils, Gujaratis, Kannaras, Punjabis, etc. Hindus make up 80% of the population, Muslims 14%, Christians 2.4%, Sikhs 2%, Buddhists 0.7%. The Muslim population is concentrated in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal, and western Uttar Pradesh. The remaining religious communities: Christians (mostly Catholics) are concentrated in the North-East of the country, Bombay and the South; Sikhs - in Punjab and adjacent areas, Buddhists - in Jammu and Kashmir, the Himalayan regions.
The national languages are Hindi and English; states have official national languages. Of the 18 languages recognized as state languages, 13 are Indo-Aryan, 4 are Dravidian language groups and 1 - to Tibetan. Hindi is the most widely spoken language: it is spoken by more than 300 million people. Hindi recognized official language in the northern states of India. Other Indo-Aryan languages: Bengali, Gujarati, Assami, Kashmiri, Konkani, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi. Urdu is the main language of Indian Muslims in North and South India. In the regions of Gujarat bordering Pakistan, the Sindhi language is spoken (emigrants who fled the Pakistani province of Punjab after the partition of the country in 1947 live here). A quarter of India's population speaks Dravidian languages. The languages of this group are spoken mainly in southern India, partly in the central part of the country, in eastern Bihar. Four Dravidian languages are recognized as official languages: Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil and Telju. Manipuri and other Tibetan languages are spoken in northeastern India. The languages of international communication are Hindi and English. 74.3% of India's population lives in villages and only 25.7% live in cities. India is one of the most populous countries. The average density of its population, which was at the beginning of the 20th century. about 70 people per 1 km2, by the beginning of the 21st century. amounted to 319.3 people. per 1 km2.
Nature of India
India is located mainly within the Hindustan Peninsula and the Indo-Gangetic Plain, including part of the Himalayas and Karakoram. OK. 3/4 of the country's territory is plains and plateaus. Almost the entire Hindustan is occupied by the Deccan Plateau (decreases to the east from 900 m to 300 m). In the west and east, the Deccan turns into mountains (Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats), the outer slopes of which drop steeply to the ocean. In the south of the peninsula there are isolated table massifs up to 2698 m high (Anaimudi). To the north of the Hindustan Peninsula, in a vast foothill trough, is the alluvial Indo-Gangetic Plain. The highest mountain system on Earth - the Himalayas (height in India up to 8126 m, Nanga Parbat) and the Karakoram Mountains with alpine terrain and glaciers in the ridge zone limit India from the north. Deposits of coal, iron ores, manganese, chromite, bauxite, diamonds.
The natural vegetation of the Deccan Plateau and Indo-Gangetic Plain is highly modified; Savannas, xerophytic woodlands, and in some places deciduous forests predominate; in the north-west there are shrubby semi-deserts and deserts. On the windward slopes of the Western Ghats, in the delta of the Ganges and Brahmaputra, in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas there are evergreen tropical forests. At the foot of the Himalayas there are terai (swampy jungles), higher up there are monsoon forests, mountain mixed and coniferous forests, mountain meadows and steppes. Forests cover approx. 1/4 of the territory of India. National parks Kaziranga, Girsky Forest, Manas, etc.; numerous reserves. India is the only place on Earth where a tiger and a lion live side by side (both are currently protected). Monkeys are numerous not only in the jungle, but also in cities, as they are considered sacred animals. Some other animals, both wild and domestic, are also considered sacred. Elephants have been trained since ancient times. India has a number of endemic species of mammals and birds.
Climate of India
The climate is predominantly tropical, with tropical monsoon in the north. During the wet summer monsoon, which plays a huge role in Indian agriculture, 70-90% of precipitation falls, winter is dry and cool, from March to May is a dry and hot season. Annual rainfall varies from less than 100 mm in the western Indo-Gangetic Plain to 12,000 mm at Cherrapunji on the Shillong Plateau (the wettest landmass on the globe). Main rivers: Ganges, with its tributary Jamna, Indus (upper reaches), Brahmaputra (lower reaches), Narmada, Godavari, Krishna. The rivers are full of water in the summer (there are floods) and are widely used for irrigation.
Economy of India
GNP per capita is $450 (1999). 2/3 of the world's poor live in India, although the standard of living of the population is gradually increasing and the share of the poor is decreasing. Tolerance, absence of class hatred and respect for wealth, characteristic of Hinduism and Buddhism, protect India from social conflicts.
2/3 of the population is employed in agriculture, which makes the largest contribution to GNP (1/3). Hindustan was the birthplace of a number of crops - rice, cotton, sugar cane. In the 1960s India experienced a “green revolution”: thanks to the spread of hybrid varieties of wheat, rice and other crops, not only the problems of providing food for its population, but also the export of food grains were solved. In the 1970s–1980s. India also experienced a “white revolution”, which resulted in self-sufficiency in dairy products. 145 million hectares are cultivated (over 2/5 of the territory), under crops - approx. 180 million hectares (approx. 35 million hectares are sown twice a year). Irrigated approx. 3/5 agricultural area. The main agricultural regions are the Indo-Gangetic plain and the coastal lowlands. India occupies one of the first places in the world in the production of sugar cane (harvest in terms of raw sugar is 16-18 million tons; more than 1/2 - in the northern part of India), peanuts (5-7 million tons, hl sample in the southern part of India) and tea (about 600 tons; 3/4 of the harvest - plantations of the Assam Valley and the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas), as well as for the production of jute (1–1.3 million tons; 2/ 3 - West Bengal), castor bean (southern part of India), cotton (1.2–1.5 million tons: main regions - eastern part of the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat). In the southern part of India - tea, coffee, rubber, coconut palm, spices (pepper, ginger, cardamom, etc.). Numerous livestock (1/5 of the world; 1996, million) of cattle 196 (including 80 buffaloes; mainly used as draft power), 120 goats and 45 sheep; They raise pigs, camels, and poultry.
India has significant mineral and energy resources. Coal reserves and iron ore- one of the largest in the world, there are also bauxite, oil, manganese, etc. India ranks one of the first places in the world in the export of manganese ore and mica. Most of the heavy industrial enterprises in India after independence were nationalized or created by the state itself. Heavy industry enterprises are concentrated mainly on the Kota-Nagpur plateau, where coking coal deposits are adjacent to iron ore deposits. New ones are being created in previously backward inland areas. industrial centers(Bhilai, Bokaro, Rourkela, Durgapur.
The public sector occupies leading positions in the defense industry, nuclear energy, railway and maritime transport, aviation, and communications. The private sector currently predominates in mechanical engineering, agriculture, light, food and medical industries, construction, trade, and road transport.
Light industry is represented by both handicraft and modern enterprises. Indian natural silks, Kashmiri shawls, wood carvings, papier-mâché products, saffron, furs, and jewelry are world famous. Every Indian state, many cities and localities are famous for their handicrafts. For example, in largest state The Uttar Pradesh city of Varanasi (Benares) is a famous center for silk weaving production, as well as bronze products; Mirzapur is famous for its carpets; Muradabad is famous for its metal utensils; India's largest production of locks and iron chests is concentrated in Aligarh; Firozabad is the country's largest center for the production of glass bangles - cheap jewelry. World famous handicrafts southern city Mysore (the former capital of the princely state of the same name), especially items made of ivory and sandalwood, as well as natural silks. India is a major supplier to the world market of leather and leather products, as well as footwear. Most of the jute mills are located in the Hooghlyside region, a chain of towns on the Hooghly River north of Kolkata. Agricultural and mineral processing plants are usually located close to where raw materials are extracted. These are factories for ginning cotton, processing peanuts, sugar cane, freezing and drying foods, and primary processing of metals. The production of consumer goods is concentrated in major cities. State governments strongly welcome the development of industries: for this purpose, industrial parks are being created - small free zones characterized by reduced taxes and low land prices.
In recent years, India has also emerged as a manufacturer of medicines and pharmaceuticals that are quite competitive in comparison with Western products, but much cheaper.
Such a traditional industry as cutting diamonds and other precious stones also maintains a high share in exports.
The country's government has placed its main emphasis on the development of education and the cultivation of highly qualified personnel. In 1950 there were 25 universities and 700 colleges, and in the mid-1990s. there were already 172 universities and 7,000 colleges. In terms of the number of specialists with higher education, India has taken one of the leading places in the world. The country is in third place in the number of qualified scientific and technical personnel and in second place in the number of professional programmers. The monetary unit is the Indian rupee.
History of India
The most ancient civilization - Harappan or Indus (Indus River valley; second half of the 3rd millennium - first half of the 2nd millennium BC) - was created by the people of the Dravidian family, possibly the ancestors of the Tamils. It is one of the first agricultural civilizations on Earth, along with Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. The Harappan civilization was familiar with the smelting of bronze and precious metals, but did not know iron. The Aryan tribes, who came from the north approximately in the middle of 2 thousand BC, knew how to make iron. e. The main source of the period 1500-800. BC e. are the Vedas. At this time, a caste system arose and took shape, which consolidated the dominant position of the descendants of the Aryans.
Today not enough is known about the states of the Aryans; their dating is also problematic. Magadha in the Ganges Valley is apparently the oldest of them (7th century BC). The kings of Magadha accepted Buddhism and supported its spread. In the 4th century. BC e. Magadha became part of the Mauryan Empire, whose founder (Chandragupta) met with Alexander the Great. Alexander annexed the Indus Valley to his vast empire, but not for long. After the reign of the great Ashoka (3rd century BC), who united almost all of Hindustan, the Mauryan empire fell into decline. In the 4th-6th centuries. n. e. Almost all of Northern India was united by the Gupta state. With the spread of Islam, Muslim states arose, the largest being the Delhi Sultanate (early 13th century - 16th century). The Sultanate fell under the onslaught of the conqueror Babur, the founder of the Mughal dynasty. In its heyday (17th century), the Mughal state covered almost the entire territory of India.
From the 16th century First, Catholic missionaries began to penetrate India (the first Christian community was founded, according to legend, by the Apostle Thomas), and then colonialists. The Portuguese founded a colony in Goa. In the 18th century The Mughal Empire broke up into separate principalities. English trading East India Company from the 17th century. created a network of its trading posts-fortresses on the coast (from which the cities of Calcutta, Bombay, Madras, etc. subsequently grew). The company's agents, pursuing a policy of “divide and rule,” subjugated the Indian principalities by bribery and force. England's main rival was France. As a result of the Anglo-Mysore, Anglo-Maratha and Anglo-Sikh wars, the East India Company by the end of the 18th century. conquered all of India from the second half of the 18th century. paying special attention no longer to trade, but to the management of territories, the collection of land taxes, and the reform of agrarian relations. India became not only a source of raw materials, but also a huge market for Britain, where the era began industrial revolution. The entire established system of local crafts was undermined, and poverty intensified. In 1783-1784. The company's activities were placed under government control. Throughout the 19th century. The company's rights were repeatedly curtailed, and since the suppression of the sepoy uprising the company was dissolved. India became a colony.
The British did not touch the caste system (by that time there were already about 3,500 castes); in religious practice they limited only extremes (human sacrifices, the custom of sati - self-immolation of widows). But they contributed to the introduction of new relations and the development of capitalism. The Indian National Congress party emerged in 1885. Mahatma Gandhi, who headed the Indian National Congress in 1915, developed the tactics of nonviolent struggle against the colonialists, which implied boycott of British goods, refusal to cooperate with the British, etc. Against the background of the difficulties and wars of the 20th century. this struggle was successful, but Britain divided the country (1947) into 2 dominions - the Indian Union (with a predominant Hindu population) and Pakistan (with a predominant Muslim population).
Due to unresolved territorial issues (especially in Kashmir), relations between India and Pakistan remain tense. In 1950, the Indian Union became the Republic of India. Gandhi's associate J. Nehru became Prime Minister. His only daughter, I. Gandhi, was prime minister four times. The caste system was abolished by law in 1950. Modern India plays an important role in the Non-Aligned Movement. With the help of the USSR, great success has been achieved in implementing space program. India is a nuclear power. National holidays are August 15 (Independence Day (1947)) and January 26 (Republic Day).
the official name of the country is the Republic of India
time is half an hour behind Ufa
climate tropical and subtropical
About each country, perhaps, we can say that it is special, unusual, radically different from others, will amaze your imagination, will open up new facets of beauty to you, but often these are mostly just words.
Russia is called the Land of a Thousand Kilometers of Taiga, the Netherlands the Land of a Thousand Tulips, the Maldives the Land of a Thousand Islands, Thailand the Land of a Thousand Temples... India should simply be called the Land of a Thousand Wonders. If someone were to start counting the wonders of India, they would have to spend many years doing it. After all, one of the largest and most populated countries in the world is fraught with such cultural, religious and natural diversity that literally at every step you can notice something unusual, something that touches invisible strings in your soul, making you tired of European civilization's heart beats faster. India is a country of contrasts. Majestic palaces coexist with poor ghettos, slums for the “untouchable” caste. From the deafening noise and din of crowded markets, cramped streets filled to capacity with smoking cars, you can literally in half an hour find yourself in the meditative silence of Hindu temples, or in the ashram of some Enlightened Guru.
So, 9 reasons why you should visit India.
Indian civilization, along with Chinese, is considered the oldest civilization that has preserved dramatic changes its culture, which carried it through centuries of wars, epidemics, invasions, and migrations of peoples. India is one of the world leaders in the number of cultural heritage sites protected by UNESCO. 31 sites are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, among the most famous are the majestic Taj Mahal, the mysterious Ellora Caves, the unique Red Fort, and the stunning Sun Temple in Konark. In Goa there are numerous temples and monasteries, which are also under the close attention of UNESCO experts. Hundreds of generations of Indians have lived under strict caste laws. India is a country of established traditions and respect for ancestors. India also went through waves of invasions; it is ethnically heterogeneous, but its traditions were formed slowly, through harmonious mixing over the centuries. Diversity is not the cause of violent conflicts. This is surprising, but in a relatively small territory, representatives of different nations live; several religions and spiritual movements (Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains) coexist peacefully. And you must remember when traveling to the Indian state of Goa - that India opens only to those who honor the laws and customs of its inhabitants, respects their right to individuality and originality. Having visited Goa, you will become more tolerant of many things, perceiving them philosophically. India is an exceptional example of a harmonious combination of traditional and modern values.
India is a real symphony of vivid impressions. The main goal of a smart tourist is not so much to rest the body while lounging on the beach, but to gain new impressions and discover new facets of reality. India is fraught with almost endless scope for those thirsty for exotic experiences. India intoxicates Europeans with its color. In Goa there is exoticism at every turn. You don’t have to think that exoticism is always something pretentious and very original. A romantic will find charm in watching a poor woman with a spot on her forehead washing her sari in the river. Or in half-naked Hindus plunging into the Holy River during a ritual. Tourists will be surprised by the opening ceremony of a Hindu temple, accompanied by ringing and loud screams. Someone will be moved by the reverent attitude of Indians towards cows, carried through centuries of respect for the sacred animal. Someone will remember the procession for a long time Buddhist monks, or a procession of Hare Krishnas, not similar to our Russian mummer ceremonies. The variety of Indian dances will not leave connoisseurs of exotic dances indifferent. Katak, Bharatnatyam, Odissi, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Striya, Mohiniattam are just a partial list of Indian dances, many of which are unknown outside India. The Land of Snake Charmers and Maharajas, as India is often called in tourist brochures, being the birthplace of the most ancient civilization, opens up to travelers a huge world of temples, palaces, fortresses, mausoleums and even elegant examples of European architecture. Do not forget that India, a country with a difficult fate, was under oppression for several centuries European colonialists, but precisely because of this it is an example of an unusual combination of Eastern and European. For Europeans, exoticism is everywhere. Even women with caste marks on their faces seem mysterious, although for Hindus they are ordinary and unremarkable. In our opinion, the crafts of the Indians are also exotic, so different from their native ones - bast weaving and moonshine making. For example, during the excursion you are taken to a village where Indians obtain paint from shells in a traditional, very cunning way, for which Afanasy Nikitin once went to India. Fans of something stronger can watch how feni vodka is prepared from cashew nuts and even, if lucky, have a brotherhood drink with a cheerful Indian. And even those interested in the Buddhist culture of Tibet will not be disappointed. Thousands of Tibetan refugees live in the state neighboring Goa. So you can at the same time look at their life, take part in the service in the temple, and maybe even find yourself a sensei. Who knows?
The climate of India and Goa is extremely diverse. India, by the way, is considered a “subcontinent” because of this. In the North of India, a snow storm may rage in the mountains, and on the beaches of Goa blue sky and the soft sun delight tourists. Therefore, it is difficult to characterize the climate of the country as a whole. A smart tourist, however, should know the climatic features of this country. The warm climate has made India a favorable holiday destination, but do not forget about the monsoon rainy season in summer. It is better to go to India when there is snowstorm, ice and early night in Russia, that is, autumn, winter and early spring. The Indian subcontinent occupies huge territory and therefore the climate in its different parts often differs radically. Each region has its own characteristics. The Himalayas have a cool and windy climate, while the south has a tropical, humid climate. The Himalayas influence the country's climate, protecting it from cold winds, and the Thar Desert attracts monsoons, which makes the country's climate as warm as possible. The best time to visit Goa is from October to April, when the climate is cool and dry, while the mountainous part, on the contrary, is best visited in summer. Tropical rains are unusually heavy in some areas of the country. The Shillong plateau, for example, receives the most rainfall in the world, while the Thar Desert may not experience rain for 9 months. Therefore, it is important to know the Indian climate before traveling.
Flora and fauna favorably distinguish holidays in India from traditionally popular tours to Egypt and Turkey. The extreme diversity of life forms in India is due to climate. Hundreds of books have already been written about the animal world of India. Therefore, we will limit ourselves to a few interesting facts. India is striking in its biodiversity, so almost 5% of its territory is protected by the state as a protected area. There are more than 100 species of rare birds alone. But India is associated primarily with elephants - they were tamed in ancient times and are still used on the farm as cheap labor. In national parks you can meet Asia's largest one-horned rhinoceros. Animal lovers should visit the unique Deccan Plateau. Rare species of predators are found here: wolves, foxes, hyenas, leopards. You can see many small rodents and a rare species of Bengal cat. At night, the cautious and very cunning primate Lori, the owner of huge cute eyes that help him see in the dark, chooses from the shelters. India is a paradise for zoologists. Thousands of dissertations can be written on the rich natural material of this huge country.
The beaches of North Goa are bustling with life at night. Young people appreciate holidays in Goa for its democracy and unique hippie flavor. Back in the 1970s, American “flower children”, tired of the oppression of civilization, began to flock to the quiet deserted beaches of Goa. And now Goa attracts the most original people - from hippies and Hare Krishnas to avant-garde artists and informal musicians. In North Goa, on every famous beach, music plays all night long, themed parties are held, and famous trance DJs present their new sets. Goa inspires hundreds of talented electronic artists. Tropical nights under a thousand stars to the mysterious rhythms of Goa-trance, inspired by Indian traditions in music, are forever imprinted in the memory of those who have visited this coast at least once. Good parties don't always mean big expenses. In Goa, you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to fall out of reality for another week just by dancing the night away, experiencing the delights of love, liberating yourself, opening up to the world and finding peace of mind. Goa is not just about clubs and famous DJs. Goa is a way of life, it is liberation from the shackles of civilization, it is a dialogue with the inner self, it is an opportunity, immersed in music, entering into unity with nature and thousands of the same young and free people feel like a bodhisattva. Those who want to have a 100% blast simply have to go to the beaches of northern Goa, which have been turned into one big open-air festival. From trance to new age, from trip-hop to reggae. Goa does not tolerate sad people, and you won’t find those here. It seems that when a European appears in Goa, the facial muscles change elasticity and a happy smile stretches across his face, which even the August rain cannot erase. What kind of sadness can we talk about if the DJ played Infected Mushroom, the hookah is filled with cheerful local tobacco, and girls in bikinis bring you a martini to your sun lounger.
Goa is an excellent choice for a budget holiday. Tourists who want to ride a rickshaw and eat shark fin soup will be pleased with the surprisingly low prices. Indeed, rickshaw services cost only $2, a glass of fresh pineapple costs $0.5, and renting a bike for a day costs just a few dollars. Food costs pennies. A large plate of rice with various spices costs 10-15 rubles. A plate of rice with meat or seafood costs around 50 rubles. You can eat soup for 30-60 rubles, and it can be made with meat, or with shrimp, or even with some exotic reptiles. Far from the tourist trails, you can have a very satisfying lunch, and try something interesting and unusual, for 150-200 rubles for two. Market prices are also impressively low. For a couple of dollars you can taste exotic products that cost dozens in Russia. There are no problems with water either. 5 liters pure water costs 30-40 rubles. You can bring amazing souvenirs from Goa without spending a lot of money on them. Their selection is large and their prices are low. Lovers of folk crafts will be able to bring home stylish works of local craftsmen. Traveling to India does not require large expenses, which sets it apart from many other popular destinations.
Goa's many kilometers of beaches are one of the main reasons to visit India. The beaches are distinguished by soft sand, a smooth bottom and the absence of dangerous animals, which makes a holiday in Goa enjoyable for all categories. Sand on different beaches may differ in both color and density. The color of the sand on the beaches varies from darkish volcanic to light yellow. The sea here is always warm, and storms are rare during the holiday season. Those who prefer a quiet, meditative holiday go to the beaches of South Goa, where there are almost no discos, where a peaceful atmosphere of peace reigns. Active and young people go to the North of the state, where night discos are held on the beaches, the music does not stop, and life is in full swing. The bottom on the beaches of Goa is flat, corals do not interfere with the entrance. Nothing gets in the way comfortable rest. Most hotels are located very close to the shore.
India, like a magnet, has always attracted seekers of Truth. Those who are in search - practitioners of Zen, yoga, Buddhists, Hare Krishnas, Vedists. India inspired Roerich, Blavatsky, Tolle and hundreds of other philosophers and esotericists. Indian spirituality attracts the attention of thousands of cultural and orientalists. India is the most spiritually rich country in the world. Millions of Hindus realized the futility of materialism and turned their gaze inward, rejecting the external. Those who are spiritually awakening go on special tours to India to find enlightenment of the moment here and now in the silence of the ashrams, under the cries of tropical birds and the murmur of water. India does not produce spirituality. India is the very essence of spirituality. The wisdom of dozens of religions, cults and spiritual practices is concentrated here. Here you can transform your soul, reaching humility with yourself, and entering a state of harmony with the world. You can’t go to India and not touch at least for a moment the spiritual component of life - watch the sunrise under the calming New Age, visit a monastery, try to take your first steps in yoga. India relaxes, India envelops, India removes, India plunges into zero, into the starting point. In the face of eternity in temples and the silence of ashrams, and simply on deserted beaches under the gaze of Eternity, our small problems, squabbles, and intrigues become insignificant. India, if you open your soul to it, can change you beyond recognition.
India is the birthplace of the state and science. It is the birthplace of the oldest medical discipline that has not lost popularity today - Ayurveda. Hundreds of generations of Indian healers shared their experience with each other, passing it on from father to son, from teacher to student. Their experience is generalized in Ayurveda and recognized at the state level. Ayurveda is one of the few forms of alternative medicine that is recognized by WHO as an effective technique. Ayurveda not only treats the body, but also the mind. It is in the harmonious combination of healing the spirit and the flesh that the secret of Ayurveda lies. Those who want to rejuvenate the body, gain longevity, cleanse themselves in every sense, and strengthen the immune system choose a holiday in SPA hotels in Goa. Hundreds of qualified specialists practice the ancient art of healing in Goa. To improve the health of the body and get rid of illnesses, Ayurveda masters use exclusively natural medicines of animal and mineral plant origin, diet, as well as various sets of water procedures and massage. All medications and health treatments used are selected individually for patients, taking into account their constitution in accordance with the principle of the “Three Doshas”. According to Ayurveda, the basis of diseases is an imbalance in the body that needs to be corrected. All SPA centers in Goa offer not only a traditional set of procedures, but also Ayurvedic complexes of varying durations. In the peace and quiet of the majestic ocean, thousands of people have found health thanks to Ayurveda.
India can be called a huge reserve, where on an area of 3 million square meters. km. The territory, diverse in terms of relief and climate, is home to over 20 thousand species of plants, and every year scientists are surprised to discover more and more of their forms. India is breaking stereotypes. For example, do you think that ficus is an indoor flower? Hindus think differently. Banyan - the so-called "Bengal ficus" - is one of the strangest trees in the world. Its crown amazes the imagination with its size. The trunk of this tree is heterogeneous and consists of hundreds of intertwined stems. Dozens of animal species can live in the crown of just one banyan tree. It is not for nothing that Buddhists consider the Banyan tree a sacred plant. And this is just one of thousands of Indian wonders. The Indian state of Goa is the choice of those tourists whose mind is not limited by the traditional holidays in Turkey and Egypt. The choice of those tourists who want to expand the horizons of their perception of the world, who crave not only new impressions, but perhaps some kind of spiritual experience. Indeed, India, like no other country, encourages one to work on oneself, to immerse oneself, to remove oneself from a series of the same type of everyday life. India cannot be known in a lifetime, let alone in one trip. But even just a glance at a piece of India, for example, Goa, is the dream of millions. Hippies dreamed of India (Goa) - dreaming of immersing themselves in nirvana in the silence of the ashrams, rulers dreamed of India - dreaming of its countless treasures, artists dreamed of going to India to gain inspiration, businessmen cherished dreams of Indian markets. They all dreamed and still dream about this country. Romantics and pragmatists, young and old, rich and poor dream of India. But... in order to dream about something, you need to know at least a little about the object of your dreams. This is exactly the purpose of this article - to give smart tourists the opportunity to dream about India. India is not perfect. But everyone will find there what they are looking for, if they know what and where to look, of course. Our article is addressed to such smart tourists. Of course, when talking about India, we primarily mean its most favorable state for recreation - Goa. Holidays in India will bring unforgettable experiences, regardless of whether you like to sunbathe, dive to the seabed, sightseeing, relaxing in spas, indulging in extreme tourism or meditation. You will remember your trip to India in old age. Whether you practice Zen and have visited the “city of temples” of Varanasi, experiencing spiritual liberation there, or you like to carefree sunbathe while sipping whiskey and cola. Do you prefer to walk with a camera and sightsee from morning to evening, relax in the SPA, or swim with a mask among schools of exotic fish? Do you like to dance the night away to the trendy rhythms of Goa-trance? You will remember these carefree days with warmth and nostalgia. Goa is one of the main reasons to visit India. When they say Goa, they mean uncompromising liberation from the shackles of civilization, immersion in the nirvana of endless paradise beaches, contemplation of the sunrise on the Arabian Sea, indescribable diving, fast surfing, dancing until exhaustion, meditative gatherings over a cup of tea in a gazebo among a riot of tropical grasses. People come to Goa because of the sea, the sun, interesting people and exotic entertainment, an amazing fusion of European and Indian cultures. Goa is a vessel filled to the brim with impressions. Every connoisseur of an unusual holiday should drink from it.
India, GOA Visa required. The foreign passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of application. Conditions for obtaining a visa: Flight duration is about 6 hours. Time difference with Ufa: +30 minutes in winter, -30 minutes in summer. The climate of India is determined by two factors. The first factor is the high Himalayas, which prevent cold air from the Arctic and winds from Central Asia. The second is the Thar Desert, which with its winds attracts monsoons to India. In Goa, the most famous Indian resort, the climate is subtropical and mild. The average temperature is +27...+35°C throughout the year, the monsoon period occurs from June to August. Customs rules The import and export of previously imported foreign currency is not limited, while national currency is prohibited. Cash in the amount of more than 10 thousand dollars, personal computers and laptops are subject to mandatory declaration. Duty-free import: · cigarettes – up to 200 pcs. or cigars – up to 50 pcs. or tobacco - up to 250 grams, alcoholic beverages - up to 0.95 liters, jewelry, food, household items and items - within the limits of personal needs. Cameras, musical instruments, household audio and video equipment, typewriters and sports equipment are imported in quantities of no more than one item of each item, souvenirs - worth no more than 500 rupees. The import of weapons and ammunition without appropriate permits, drugs and drug-containing drugs is prohibited. The export of tiger skins, wild animals, bird plumage, skins and products made from the skin of rare reptiles, live plants, jewelry worth more than 2,000 rupees, gold and silver bullion, antiques and antiquities (over a hundred years old) is prohibited. Precautions Modest and neat European clothing is advisable. Women need to cover their shoulders, arms up to the elbows and knees. Remember: · Family ties are sacred to an Indian. · It is not customary to talk about sex, hug or kiss in public. · You cannot approach a young Indian girl without a reason, much less touch her. · In any situation, it is not customary to shout, much less throw up your hands. This can lead to disastrous consequences. · When entering the temple, you need to take off your shoes and cover your head. · You should not point your finger at people or shrines in temples. Beware of thieves! Keep expensive items in a hotel safe, keep track of your money and equipment. Do not leave things unattended on the beach.
Last minute tours to India, Goa from Ufa often appear a few days before departure. Moreover, since November 2014, a visa to India (Goa) can be obtained upon arrival, provided that the Tour Operator has recruited a group of more than 4 people on the departure date, the cost of the visa is $90 per person. To obtain a visa on arrival, you must first send a letter to the Tour Operator notifying you of your desire to obtain a visa at Dabolim Airport. In 2014, there were a lot of last-minute tours from Ufa to India, the minimum price at which our smart tourists flew was from 10,000 rubles per person. In the winter/spring 2015 season, there were fewer last-minute tours than in previous years, since the number of direct flights from Ufa decreased by 2 times, although on the other hand, convenient connecting flights Ufa-Dubai-Dabolim appeared, so there are high probability catch a last minute trip to Goa. You can view prices to India quickly online and book tour packages in the tour search section.
Lesson progress
India (Republic of India)
- Area - 3165.6 thousand km (7th place among the countries of the world)
- Population - 1020.0 million people. (2nd place)
- GDP (2000) - $1825 billion (5th place)
- GDP per capita - $1800 (135th place)
- Political system: parliamentary federal republic within the Commonwealth
India is a country of ancient civilization. In the 3rd millennium BC. e. Dravidians who lived in the valley of the river. Indus, created the original Harappan civilization. Around the 15th century BC e. Aryan tribes came to northern India and pushed the Dravidians to the south. From these ancient peoples come modern Indians.
Cultural and historical features of the country
Throughout its history, India has managed to preserve ancient cultural traditions, simultaneously adopt new customs and ideas from conquerors and immigrants, and spread its cultural influence to other regions of Asia.
In Indian society, traditional family values are highly respected.
- Architecture
Indian architecture is one of the areas in which the diversity of Indian culture is most clearly represented. Much of India's architectural heritage, including such remarkable monuments as the Taj Mahal and other examples of Mongolian and South Indian architecture, is a mixture of ancient and diverse local traditions from various regions of India and abroad.
- Literature
Most early works Indian literature was transmitted orally for many centuries and was only later written down. These include Sanskrit literature - the Vedas, the epics "Mahabharata" and "Ramayana", the drama "Abhigyana-Shakuntala", and the classical Sanskrit poetry of the Mahakavya - and the Tamil Sangh literature.
Features of the economic-geographical location and natural conditions
Administrative division
The main features of Indian EGP are:
- Located in South Asia, almost symmetrical to the Northern Tropics
- Washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean; at southern shores India has sea routes from the Mediterranean to the Pacific Ocean
- Has a number of unresolved territorial issues with Pakistan and China, complicating relations between the countries
- The terrain makes it difficult to develop economic ties with northern neighbors
Natural conditions of India
The natural conditions of India are varied:
- Relief:
The Himalayas are a chain of ridges with an average height of 3-4 thousand m in the north of the country
Deccan Plateau
- Climate:
The territory is located in the tropical and subequatorial belts with a typical monsoon climate
Annual temperature - +25 ... +27 C
Diamond cutting
Agriculture in India
The dominant sector of the Indian economy has a pronounced crop production focus
In terms of agricultural production, the state ranks 4th in the world and is one of the largest producers of tea, peanuts, sugar cane, pulses, jute, and some spices
2nd place in the world (after China) in rice production, 3rd in tobacco production, 4th in wheat and cotton production
Types of Agriculture in India
- Livestock
15% of the world's cattle (draft power)
Small cattle
Poultry farming
Pig farming
Sea and river fishing
- Crop production
Cereals (rice, wheat, millet)
Legumes (beans, peanuts)
Technical
Tobacco growing
Spices (black pepper, cloves, cardamom)
Bananas and pineapples (1st place in the world)
Almost all types of transport are represented in India:
- Zheleznodorozhny (length 62 thousand km, 5th place in the world, most railways are narrow gauge; 10.5 thousand km are electrified)
- Automotive (the length of highways is more than 30 thousand km, the total length of horse-drawn roads is 1600 thousand km)
- Marine (carries out most of foreign trade transportation of the country, 90% of maritime cargo turnover falls on eight main ports, the largest of which is Mumbai)
- Air (serves international and domestic airlines, many transit flights from Europe to Southeast Asia and Australia)
- India is an extremely peace-loving state and has never invaded any other country in the last 100,000 years of history.
- The name "India" comes from the name of the Indus River, in the valley of which the houses of the first settlers were located. Aryan believers called the Indus River Sindh.
- Chess was invented in India.
- India is the most democratic country in the world, it is also the sixth largest country in the world, and one of the most ancient civilizations.
- India has the largest number of post offices in the world!
- The Lotus Temple in India is one of the most visited temples in the world, with more than 50 million people crossing the threshold every year.
- The largest employer in India is the Indian Railways, providing jobs to more than a million people.
- India was one of the richest countries during British rule in the early 17th century. Christopher Columbus, attracted by the wealth of India, set out in search of a sea route to India, but arrived in America and discovered it by mistake.
- Algebra, trigonometry and calculus also originated in India. Quadratic equations were used by Sridharacharya as early as the 11th century. The largest number that most Greeks and Romans used was 106 while the Indians used the numbers 10 * 53 (that is, 10 to the power of 53) with specific names as early as 5000 BC. during the Vedic period. Even today, the largest number used is Tera - 10 * 12 (10 to the power of 12).
- By 1896, India was the world's only source of diamonds (
The report on India 3rd class is summarized in this article. From it you will learn about a country with an ancient culture, rooted far into the abyss of millennia.
Message about India
India is one of the developed third world countries. India is located in the southern part of Eurasia on the Hindustan Peninsula. The country is washed Indian Ocean. It borders on the following countries: Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
When talking about India as the richest country, we do not mean the standard of living of the population, but rather its wealth of various natural resources. It is no coincidence that in colonial times India was called the “jewel in the crown of the British Empire.”
Capital of India- New Delhi.
This unique country ranks second in terms of population (1.326 million people), and seventh in area (3165.6 thousand km).
Climate of India predominantly subequatorial, monsoon. During the summer monsoon, 70-90% of precipitation falls, winter is dry and cool.
The nature of India is amazing. In a few hours here you can move from the snows of the Himalayas to the tropics and numerous beaches of the Indian Ocean.
Relief of India quite diverse - from flat areas in the south of the country, to glaciers in the north, from the desert lands of the West, to eastern tropical forests.
India is rich in mineral resources, the main part of which is located in the northeast of the state. Among them are iron ore, manganese ore, coal, bauxite, brown coal, magnesite, chromite, graphite, diamonds, mica, gold, ferrous metals, monocyte sands, uranium ores.
Rivers and lakes of India
The most large rivers- Ganga, Brahmaputra, Koshi, Yamuna, Mahanadi, Godavari, Kaveri, Krishna, Tapti, Narmada. But there are few lakes in India, but they still exist - Lake Sambhar is the largest of them.
Population of India
The bulk of India's population lives in rural areas, with the urban population accounting for only 26%. The country's 12 million-plus cities are home to 25% of urban residents. Major cities-Millionaires of India– these are Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad. 13 million people live in Mumbai.
Industry of India
Industry India is concentrated in large cities and their suburbs. It is an interweaving of old traditional industries: the production of metal, fabrics, processing of precious metals and stones - and the manufacture of new products: electronics, aviation equipment
Most of the country's population is employed in agriculture. Here grow rice, wheat, cotton, vegetables, peanuts, pepper and jute– a fibrous crop used to produce durable fabrics.
India is one of the world leaders in tea production, the main growing area of which is the humid regions in the west of the country. Due to religious traditions, animal husbandry has not received much development.
Flora and fauna of India
Hindustan Peninsula- this is an entire continent, the geographical and climatic uniqueness of which contributes to the prosperity of the animal and plant world. There are about 45 thousand plant species in India, and 15 thousand are found only there. Forests in India occupy almost 20% of the country's total area. Animal and plant life India is extremely diverse. There are 75 national parks and more than 420 nature reserves in the country.
Wild elephants and rhinoceroses can still be found in the forests of Arissa and Assam, and lions live in the Gir forests. In the jungle you can meet tigers, panthers, and monkeys. India is the only country where you can find almost all types of snakes, and some of them live not only in nature reserves, but also near people. The number of bird species found in India is huge, more than 1600 species. The richness of river and marine fauna is also great.
Sights of India
A short report about India can be completed with places that are worth visiting. These are the Taj Mahal, Hampi village, Avralem waterfall, Little Tibet, the city of Delhi, the Qutub Minar, the Mongolian tomb - Humayun's tomb, the Gandhi Smirti Museum, the national museum, the Crafts Museum, the Indira Gandhi Museum, the national gallery of modern art.
We hope that the report on the topic “India” helped you in preparing for classes, and you learned a lot of useful things about this country. You can leave your message about India using the comment form.
