An Introduction to India

1. Intro Environment History Culture Government Economy References Self Check An Introduction to India

2. Intro Environment History Culture Government Economy References Self Check Introduction India is located in Southern Asia bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal

3. Intro Environment History Culture Government Economy References Self Check Environment • India covers approx. 3,287,000 sq km and is the 7th largest country in the world • terrain includes the Himalayan Mts., the Gangetic Plains, the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Deccan Plateau • bordered by Pakistan (north west), China and Nepal (north), Bangladesh (east) and Sri Lanka is an island off the southern tip • the climate is usually warm with monsoon season occurring in January • animal life includes: lions, leopards, tigers, elephants, panthers, rhinos, deer, bison, hyenas, monkeys, jackels, cobras, pythons, crocodiles, peacocks (also the national bird)

4. Intro Environment History Culture Government Economy References Self Check History • India makes up one of the oldest civilizations known today. In 2500 B.C., settlements began on the Indus River Valley areas. • India was controlled by various religious groups throughout history. Buddhism (500 B.C.), Hinduism (40-600 A.D.) and Muslim (1192 A.D.) all had control over India at some point. • In 1510, the Portuguese took control along with the French, Danes, and Dutch who all had trading posts within India. • In 1803, the British took control and began the British East India Company which used raw materials such as iron, coal, tea, coffee, cotton from India • In 1947 with the help of Gandhi, a peaceful leader, India gained it’s independence from British rule

5. Intro Environment History Culture Government Economy References Self Check Culture & People • India is comprised of various groups of people including: Indo-Aryan (72%), Dravidan (25%) and Mongoloid/others (3%) • India is primarily made up of Hindu (81.3%), Muslim (12%), Buddhism (2.5%), Christianity (2.3%), and Sikh (1.9%) religions • English and Hindi are widely spoken throughout India, but there are 18 total offical languages along with 1600 minor languages found in India • art and music play a role in Indian culture. Examples included classical dance, temple artitechture, and tradtional Indian music • Bombay plays a huge role in the film industry

6. Intro Environment History Culture Government Economy References Self Check Government • Official name: Republic of India (federal republic) • Capital City: New Delhi • Comprised of 28 states and 7 unions • Gained independence on August 15, 1947 • Consitution signed on January 26, 1950 (Jan. 26 is considered a national holiday) • Follows English common law • Suffrage: age 18 (universal) • As of July 26, 2002, India’s President is Abdul Kalam • An electoral college, Parliament, and State Representatives are found within the India government • The United States Ambassador to India is Robert D. Blackwill

7. Intro Environment History Culture Government Economy References Self Check Economy • Indian rupee (48.3 to 1 U.S. dollar) • Village farming and modern agriculture (25%) producing mainly rice, wheat, oilseed, cotton, tea, sugarcane, jute, potatoes, cattle, sheep, fish, and poultry • Industry (25%) and Services (50%) include mainly software production make up the remainder of the Indian economy • There is an 8.8% rate of unemployment • Exports include textiles, gems, jewelry, engineering goods, chemicals, and leather products. Trade partners include the United States, Britian, Germany and Japan • Imports include crude oil, machinery, gems, fertilizers, and chemicals. Trade partners include the United States, Britain, Belgium, Japan, and Germany)

8. Intro Environment History Culture Government Economy References Self Check References http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/indian_subcontinent/india/ http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/in.html

9. False True Intro Environment History Culture Government Economy References Self Check Self Check 1. India is located in Northern Asia.

10. False True Intro Environment History Culture Government Economy References Self Check 2. The peacock is India’s national bird.

11. False True Intro Environment History Culture Government Economy References Self Check 3. In 1803, the British took control of India and formed the British East India Company.

12. False True Intro Environment History Culture Government Economy References Self Check 4. There are 18 total official languages found in India

13. False True Intro Environment History Culture Government Economy References Self Check 5. New Delhi is highly involved with the film industry.

14. False True Intro Environment History Culture Government Economy References Self Check 6. Over 70% of those living in India are considered part of the Indo-Aryan race.

15. False True Intro Environment History Culture Government Economy References Self Check 7. India gained independence from Portugal in 1947.

16. False True Intro Environment History Culture Government Economy References Self Check 8. The Indian form of currency is the peso.

17. False True Intro Environment History Culture Government Economy References Self Check 9. Leather products are a major export of India.

18. False True Intro Environment History Culture Government Economy References Self Check 10. Rice is a major import of India.

19. Intro Environment History Culture Government Economy References Self Check The End Ashley Wade ED 265A Media & Technology April 7, 2003