India

About three-quarters of Indians are Hindus. Muslims form the next-largest religious group. Others follow Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, or other religions.

With an area of more than 1.2 million square miles (3.1 million square kilometres), India is the seventh largest country in the world and the second most populated country in the world after China. Much of this area is a peninsula jutting into the Indian Ocean between the Arabian Sea on the west and the Bay of Bengal on the east. India shares borders with Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar.

India’s wildlife includes tigers, lions, leopards, elephants, rhinoceroses, bears, and deer. Monkeys and cows are common even in cities. The peacock is the national bird. The best-known reptile is the cobra. Indian food can vary greatly from region to region. For instance, rice is the main staple throughout the south and east, and flat wheat bread is the main staple in the north and northwest. There are many festivals that are celebrated throughout India every year. Diwali is probably the most widely observed Hindu festival. It is a new year celebration and lasts for five days in late October or early November.