Pass The Passport

Places / Asia

India

Visited

At a glance

Region
Southern Asia
Capital
New Delhi
Population
1463.9 million (2025)
Area
3,287,590 km²
Languages
English, Hindi, Tamil
Currency
Indian rupee (INR)
Drives on the
left
Calling code
+91
Visited: India

Country visited City visited Still to go Click a pin or country to read more. Zoom with + and −, a double-click or a pinch.

Before you go

Overview

The Republic of India is located in South Asia. It is the second most populated country in the world, almost overtaking China.

At 2018 it recorded a population of 1.353 billion and covers an area of 3.287 million km2. The capital city is New Delhi since 1911. Mumbai is the largest city; it is the major financial, entertainment and commercial centre. The Bollywood and Marathi cinema industries are located in Mumbai. Hyderabad is referred to as the ‘City of Pearls’ since it was a trading centre of pearl and diamond.

Gateway to India monument near the entrance to Mumbai (Bombay) Harbour, India.

History

In 1895, the country fell under the direct administration of the British. Protest against the British started in 1920 led by Mahatma Gandhi which resulted in independence in 1947. The country was split into two; the union of India with the Hindus and the Islamic Pakistan.

The country performed its first underground nuclear test in 1974.

Food & culture

Dharmic religions majorly influence the culture.

It is the highest producer of lemons, bananas, mangoes, papayas and oilseeds. It also produces wheat, tea, cotton, rice and vegetables. Among common foods in the country are biryani, Kashmiri, korma and masala.

The Taj Mahal in Agra, India, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983

Wildlife

The wild animals found in the country are Asiatic lions, Asian elephants, Bengal, Indochinese tigers, clouded leopards, Indian leopards, Indian rhinoceros, Indian bear, Sangai deer and Lion-tailed macaque.

Festivals & events

The main festivals celebrated throughout the nation are Ganesh Chaturthi on 22nd August, Diwali, Durga Puja on 26th October, Eid ul-Fitr and Christmas.

Rajput fort overlooking Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India, designated a World Heritage site in 2013

Things to see

The country has a very beautiful architecture for tourist to view like the Red Fort, Qutub Minar, the India Gate, Humayun’s Tomb and The Lotus Temple.

Delhi has a beautiful market where food is also sold.

One can also visit national parks such as Hemis National Park, Khangchendzonga National Park, Jim Corbett National Park and Gir forest National park to view a variety of wildlife.

Interesting facts

India is the seventh-largest in the world in terms of area and the most populous democracy in the world.

The official language is Hindi; though English is also widely used.

The majority of the population is Hindu.

The education for children begins at age six comprising of five years of lower primary schooling, two years of upper primary, three years of high school and two years of higher secondary.

City guides

Cities & towns I’ve visited

Run a marathon in India

Mumbai Marathon

Mumbai · usually January

Asia's biggest marathon, crossing the Bandra-Worli Sea Link.

Dates move from year to year, so check the race website before you book.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

7 of 45 visited. See every site I've been to.

My photos from India

From 2 trips, newest first, so you can see which places each set of photos came from.

October 2022 Agra

Agra

Whole trip gallery
  • Dan in front of the Taj Mahal.

October 2017 Qatar & India

Sundarbans National Park, Ganges ! On The Boat !!, The Peerless Inn, New Alipore, Victoria Memorial, New Market

Whole trip gallery
  • A smiling man at a restaurant table with a huge rolled dosa in front of him.
  • A man holding a coconut with a straw on a boat on a wide river lined with mangroves.
  • A man in a red kurta standing beside an older man in traditional Indian dress in a living room.
  • A cannon on a lawn in the gardens of the Victoria Memorial with an arch behind.
  • A cow feeding beside a pond among banana trees in the Sundarbans.
  • India
  • Wooden boats with curved canopies moored on the Hooghly river in Kolkata.
  • India

Plan your trip to India

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Neighbours

Bucket List goals in India