Difference between revisions of "India"
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| − | + | {{Country | |
| + | |name =''भारत गणराज्य <br/>Bhārat Gaharājya'' | ||
| + | |map =India rel01.jpg | ||
| + | |flag =Flag of India svg.png | ||
| + | |arms =Emblem of India.png | ||
| + | |capital =New Delhi | ||
| + | |capital-raw = | ||
| + | |government =Federal Republic | ||
| + | |government-raw = | ||
| + | |language =Hindi | ||
| + | |king = | ||
| + | |queen = | ||
| + | |monarch-raw = | ||
| + | |president =Pratibha Patil | ||
| + | |president-raw = | ||
| + | |chancellor = | ||
| + | |chancellor-raw = | ||
| + | |pm =Manmohan Singh | ||
| + | |pm-raw = | ||
| + | |area =3,287,590 sq mi | ||
| + | |pop =1,129,866,154 (2007) | ||
| + | |pop-basis = | ||
| + | |gdp = | ||
| + | |gdp-year =$4.2 trillion (2006) | ||
| + | |gdp-pc =$3,800 (2006) | ||
| + | |currency =rupee | ||
| + | |idd = | ||
| + | |tld = | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | |||
| + | The '''Republic of India''' is a nation located in south [[Asia]]. It spans from the [[Himalayas]] in the north to the [[Indian Ocean]]. The name "India" came from the word 'Indus', which derives from the Persian word "Hindu" which was used to describe the Sindhu river (now known as the Indus). It borders China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar. India is the 7th largest country in the world in terms of area and 2nd largest in terms of population, standing at around 1.1 billion (2006 estimate). Only [[China]] has more people. Home to the Indus Valley Civilization, the history, culture and tradition of India is more than three thousand years old. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Religions== | ||
| + | |||
| + | India is a place where four of the major world religions were founded: | ||
| + | *[[Hinduism]] | ||
| + | *[[Buddhism]] | ||
| + | *[[Jainism]] | ||
| + | *[[Sikhism]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | Although over 80% of Indians identify themselves as Hindu, India has large vibrant communities of [[Muslims]], [[Sikhs]], [[Christians]], [[Jews]], [[Bahaii]] and [[Buddhists]]. Buddhism originated in India and spread to the rest of Asia and South-Eastern Europe through waves of military expansion and/or organized proselytization. Hinduism as it is identified today has existed in India since the Classical post-Vedantic period shortly following the great flood described in the Torah. Sikhism is a monotheistic religion that originated in India during the latter half of the Second Millenium of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Christianity, Judaism and Islam have well-established traditions in India. The first identifiably Jewish migrants arrived in India as the Bene Israel group. There is some debate as to the Jewishness of a possibly older group of Indians in the Northeastern part of the country called the Bnei Menashe. Christianity arrived in India in the Second Century of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through the travels of the [[Apostle Thomas]], whose tomb in the Indian city of Chennai is a major pilgrimage site for Christians in India. Islam arrived through the implementation of holy war or "[[Jihad]]" by Arab militants led by [[Muhammad bin-Qasim]] in the latter half of the First Millenium of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and continued to spread with invasions, wars and forced conversions by Afghans and Turkic Mongols.Eventually, peace settled and they slowly integrated into the society and formed India's Islamic tradition. The [[Taj Mahal]], India's national monument, was built by a Muslim emperor named Akbar. | ||
| + | [[Image:Taj Mahal.jpg|thumb|Taj Mahal]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Economy== | ||
| + | |||
| + | In terms of purchasing power parity, its economy is the second largest in Asia, and is the world's fourth largest economy. India is one of the fastest developing economies in the world with an annual growth rate of over 8%. However it is battling major obstacles to improve the average standard of living , such as high levels of poverty, [[illiteracy]], and [[malnutrition]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Government== | ||
| + | |||
| + | In terms of population India is the largest [[democracy]] in the world. It operates under a British-style Parliamentary system. The head of state officially is the [[President]] of India, elected for a 5 year term, but the ''de facto'' head of state is the [[Prime Minister]] who holds most executive powers. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President, but they must have the support of the party holding a majority in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of [[Parliament]] in India. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The members of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States), the upper house of Parliament, are elected by state and territorial legislatures in proportion to the state's population, and serve for 6 years. The Lok Sabha(House of People) has its members directly elected by popular vote and represent their constituencies for 5 years. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The executive branch is made up of the President, the Vice President and the Council of Ministers(The Cabinet is its executive committee) which is headed by the Prime Minister. Any minister holding a portfolio must be a member of one of the two houses of Parliament. The executive is subordinate to the legislature, and the Prime Minister and Council are directly responsible to the Lok Sabha. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==See Also== | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[World History Lecture Three]] for more information on Ancient India. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:Asian Countries]] | ||
Revision as of 19:30, October 15, 2007
| भारत गणराज्य Bhārat Gaharājya | |
|---|---|
 | |
 |
 |
| Flag | Coat of Arms |
| Capital | New Delhi |
| Government | Federal Republic |
| Language | Hindi (official) |
| President | Pratibha Patil |
| Prime minister | Manmohan Singh |
| Area | 3,287,590 sq mi |
| Population | 1,129,866,154 (2007) |
| GDP per capita | $3,800 (2006) |
| Currency | rupee |
The Republic of India is a nation located in south Asia. It spans from the Himalayas in the north to the Indian Ocean. The name "India" came from the word 'Indus', which derives from the Persian word "Hindu" which was used to describe the Sindhu river (now known as the Indus). It borders China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar. India is the 7th largest country in the world in terms of area and 2nd largest in terms of population, standing at around 1.1 billion (2006 estimate). Only China has more people. Home to the Indus Valley Civilization, the history, culture and tradition of India is more than three thousand years old.
Religions
India is a place where four of the major world religions were founded:
Although over 80% of Indians identify themselves as Hindu, India has large vibrant communities of Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Jews, Bahaii and Buddhists. Buddhism originated in India and spread to the rest of Asia and South-Eastern Europe through waves of military expansion and/or organized proselytization. Hinduism as it is identified today has existed in India since the Classical post-Vedantic period shortly following the great flood described in the Torah. Sikhism is a monotheistic religion that originated in India during the latter half of the Second Millenium of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Christianity, Judaism and Islam have well-established traditions in India. The first identifiably Jewish migrants arrived in India as the Bene Israel group. There is some debate as to the Jewishness of a possibly older group of Indians in the Northeastern part of the country called the Bnei Menashe. Christianity arrived in India in the Second Century of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through the travels of the Apostle Thomas, whose tomb in the Indian city of Chennai is a major pilgrimage site for Christians in India. Islam arrived through the implementation of holy war or "Jihad" by Arab militants led by Muhammad bin-Qasim in the latter half of the First Millenium of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and continued to spread with invasions, wars and forced conversions by Afghans and Turkic Mongols.Eventually, peace settled and they slowly integrated into the society and formed India's Islamic tradition. The Taj Mahal, India's national monument, was built by a Muslim emperor named Akbar.
Economy
In terms of purchasing power parity, its economy is the second largest in Asia, and is the world's fourth largest economy. India is one of the fastest developing economies in the world with an annual growth rate of over 8%. However it is battling major obstacles to improve the average standard of living , such as high levels of poverty, illiteracy, and malnutrition.
Government
In terms of population India is the largest democracy in the world. It operates under a British-style Parliamentary system. The head of state officially is the President of India, elected for a 5 year term, but the de facto head of state is the Prime Minister who holds most executive powers. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President, but they must have the support of the party holding a majority in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament in India.
The members of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States), the upper house of Parliament, are elected by state and territorial legislatures in proportion to the state's population, and serve for 6 years. The Lok Sabha(House of People) has its members directly elected by popular vote and represent their constituencies for 5 years.
The executive branch is made up of the President, the Vice President and the Council of Ministers(The Cabinet is its executive committee) which is headed by the Prime Minister. Any minister holding a portfolio must be a member of one of the two houses of Parliament. The executive is subordinate to the legislature, and the Prime Minister and Council are directly responsible to the Lok Sabha.
See Also
World History Lecture Three for more information on Ancient India.