India

India is the single most populous country in the world, with a population over 1.4 billion. It is also the seventh-largest country, spanning about 3.3 million square kilometers and featuring diverse landscapes. Situated in its own subcontinent in South Asia, it features the Himalayas in the north and deserts, plateaus, and coasts in the south. Its northern borders are heavily disputed with China and Pakistan. This varied geography supports many climates, ecosystems, and natural resources.There are an abundance of animal sanctuaries in India, which showcase unique animals such as peacocks, Ganges River dolphins, king cobras, and Bengal tigers. Given India’s large size, it is home to the world’s second-largest road network, which connects some of the largest global cities. India is home to great feats of architecture, such as the Taj Mahal, a tomb for a Mughal emperor’s wife, and the Sun Temple at Konark. Despite India’s high population density, it has made strides in maintaining its ecological footing. The government has made pledges to reforest large portions of the country in the coming years. Contributing to India’s environmental consciousness is its large population of vegetarians, who are motivated on religious grounds to abstain from the consumption of meat, especially pork and beef. Cows are the center of many religious traditions in India and are deemed sacred, meaning their population booms and they are often left to roam on their own. Agriculturally, India specializes in products like bananas, lemons, limes, and ginger. Most importantly, India produces approximately 75% of the world’s spice supply. India’s gastronomy varies widely depending on region, with staples like roti, chapati, and naan being popular in the north, while idli and dosa are commonplace in the south. India is very diverse in language and culture, with major distinctions between the north and the south, though the two official languages taught in schools are Hindi and English. English came to the country during British rule, which lasted from 1858 to 1947. The predominant religion is Hinduism, a system of beliefs that has permeated all aspects of life in India for thousands of years. It emphasizes ideas like dharma, karma, and rebirth and includes many different practices. It is also historically linked to the caste system, a social hierarchy that still influences society despite being illegal. There is a large Muslim population in the north of the country, with Sikhism present mostly along the border with Pakistan. Buddhism, interestingly, was also founded in India. India is home to a booming film industry, grossing around $2 billion in annual revenue. Some issues that continue to plague the country are child trafficking and illiteracy. Sports tend to be a unifying factor in the country, with cricket being the most popular sport.