For historical and other uses of India, see India (disambiguation).

India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. India has a coastline of over seven thousand kilometres, and borders PakistanThe Government of India considers the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir to be a part of India including the portion bordering Afghanistan. A ceasefire sponsored by the United Nations in 1948 freezes the positions of Indian and Pakistani held territory. As a consequence, the region bordering Afghanistan is in Pakistani-administered territory. to the west, Nepal, the People's Republic of China and Bhutan to the north-east, and Bangladesh and Myanmar to the east. In the Indian Ocean, it is adjacent to the island nations of Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia.

Home to the Indus Valley Civilization, a centre of important trade routes and vast empires, India has long played a major role in human history. Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism all have their origins in India, while Islam and Christianity enjoy a strong cultural heritage. Colonised as part of the British Empire in the nineteenth century, India gained independence in 1947 as a unified nation after an intense struggle for independence. The country's population, wildlife, geographical terrain and climate system are among the most diverse in the world.

Etymology

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The name India // is derived from Indus, which is derived from the Old Persian word Hindu, from Sanskrit Sindhu, the historic local appellation for the Indus River. The Constitution of India and common usage also recognise Bharat (), as an official name of equal status. A third name, Hindustan () (Persian: Land of the Hindus < Old Persian Hindu, India / land of the Indus < Sanskrit Sindhu, any river/the Indus) has been used since the twelfth century, though its contemporary use is unevenly applied.

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Research for next month's India trip in full effect: http://bit.ly/48S3yy 50% of time will be in Gujarat for a wedding but any recs welcome!
aidamollenkamp (Aida Mollenkamp) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:20:19 -0000
Research for next month's India trip in full effect: http://bit.ly/48S3yy 50% of time will be in Gujarat for a wedding but any recs welcome!
http://twitpic.com/oit9j - @dougweber82 in THE BODEGA & me in R8 LOGO Tee. R8 Cut & Sew! FINALLY. Makes me wanna WAR DANCE to Anthrax "India
REBEL8 (Joshy D.) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:20:14 -0000
http://twitpic.com/oit9j - @dougweber82 in THE BODEGA & me in R8 LOGO Tee. R8 Cut & Sew! FINALLY. Makes me wanna WAR DANCE to Anthrax "India
All-Star Caste | 'To India With Love' http://bit.ly/41iN31
Frohardy (Frohardy Olson) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:20:11 -0000
All-Star Caste | 'To India With Love' http://bit.ly/41iN31
Today's popular group-friendly place: Taste of India Incorporated (Denver) http://bit.ly/1JTldi #denver
CenterdinDenver (Center'd in Denver) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:19:43 -0000
Today's popular group-friendly place: Taste of India Incorporated (Denver) http://bit.ly/1JTldi #denver
@LuceKD We're going to INDIA! :D:D:D
hollygable (Holly Gable) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:18:49 -0000
@LuceKD We're going to INDIA! :D:D:D
Andhra Ecnomy, Appsc Group 1, Group 2 & India Current Affairs ...: The World Alzheimer's Report 2009, prepa.. http://bit.ly/3Y5NuE
biera1 (NewsLine) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:18:32 -0000
Andhra Ecnomy, Appsc Group 1, Group 2 & India Current Affairs ...: The World Alzheimer's Report 2009, prepa.. http://bit.ly/3Y5NuE

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