|
Please reconfirm
your flight at least 72 hours before departure to avoid seat cancellations.
Please reconfirm
your flight at least 72 hours before departure to avoid seat cancellations.
Table 3 of 5
Please reconfirm
your flight at least 72 hours before departure to avoid seat cancellations.
Table 4 of 5
Please reconfirm your flight at
least 72 hours before departure to avoid seat cancellations.
| Facts |
Map |
| Population |
| 967 million |
| |
| Language
|
|
Hindi, English, Bengali, Tamil |
| |
| Country Code
|
91
AREA: Bagalore(80), Bombay(22), Calcutta(33),
Madras(44), New Delhi(11) |
| |
| Currency |
Rupee
check out our Travel Tips/Tools
CURRENCY
CONVERTER
to
get the rates you are looking for! |
| |
| Climate |
Hot Tropical
Climate
use our Travel Tips/Tools
for the CURRENT
CLIMATE
there! |
|
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Introduction
India,
officially Republic of India (Hindi Bharat), country in southern Asia,
located on the subcontinent of India. It is bounded on the north by
Afghanistan, China, Nepal, and Bhutan; on the east by Bangladesh, Myanmar
(formerly known as Burma), and the Bay of Bengal; on the south by the Palk
Strait and the Gulf of Mannar (which separates it from Sri Lanka) and the
Indian Ocean; and on the west by the Arabian Sea and Pakistan.
With
more than 1 billion inhabitants, India ranks second only to China among
the world's most populous countries. Its people are culturally diverse,
and religion plays an important role in the life of the country.
About 83 percent of the people practice Hinduism, a religion that
originated in India. Another 12 percent are Muslims, and millions of
others are Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains. Eighteen major
languages and more than 1,000 minor languages and dialects are spoken in
India.
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General Information
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| Area : 3,287,590 sq km
|
| Capital : New Delhi
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| Population :
1,014,003,817
|
| Language : Hindi (widely
spoken in North India), English and 14 other official languages
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| Religion : Hinduism(80%)
, Muslim(10%), Christianity(3%) and Sikh(2%)
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| Major cities :
New Delhi, Bangalore,
Calcutta, Bombay, Madras
|
Currency : One rupee(RE)
= 100 paise
Notes: 1,2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 rupees
International credit cards are accepted only at large hotels, departmental
stores and restaurants
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Transportation
Taxi - Taxis are metered and flagfall is
RE6.
Railway - India has the largest railway
system in Asia and the fourth largest in the world. There are two
passenger
classes; the air-conditioned first class is recommended. Driving
- Traffic keeps to the left. Chartered vehicles can be hired with a
surcharge for overnight stays. |
 Communications
Direct dialling is available between New
Delhi and many cities. Local calls cost 50 paise for 3 minutes.
International Direct Dialling (IDD) facilities as well as
operator-assisted services are available in most cities. Use express
delivery service for urgent letters. Telex and fax services are available
from post offices.
|
 Economy
Major Exports : Tea (world's largest
producer), coffee, fish, iron and steel, leather, clothing, textiles and
polished
diamonds.
Major Imports : Transport equipment,
machinery, petroleum, lubricants and fertilizers.
Major Trading Partners : UK, Japan, US and
Germany.
|
Business Hours
Government offices open from 10.00am to
5.00pm, Monday to Friday. Most business offices open from 9.30am to
5.30pm, Monday to Friday and 10.00am to 1.00pm on Saturday. Working hours
may vary in different cities..
|
Banks
There are more than 85 banks operating in
India. Banking hours are generally from 10.00am to 3.00pm, Monday to
Friday and 10.00am to 12.00noon on Saturday.
|
 Health
Medical facilities are adequate in the
larger cities, but provide only the basic facilities elsewhere. Visitors
are advised to bring prescribed medication while traveling. Ensure that
food is well cooked and drink only bottled or boiled water.
|
 Climate
There
are 3 main seasons:
Monsoon - June to September
Summer - April to June
Winter - November to February
The
Southwest monsoon brings heavy rain to much of the country. Summers are
very hot, dry in the east and humid on the west coast. Winters are cool in
the northern cities and mild throughout most of lowland India.
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Traveller's Tips
Most Hindus are vegetarians and Muslim do
not eat pork or drink alcohol. Avoid topics involving religion. Remove
footwear before entering a mosque or temple. The pace in India is slow.
Delays with bureaucracy should be anticipated.
|
 Eating Out
Rice or Indian bread accompanied by curries
and a variety of other spicy dishes are the staple food. Western and Asian
cuisine is available at major hotel restaurants.
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Visas
Visitors need a visa to
visit India. Visas come in a variety of flavors ranging from 15 days to
six months and include single and multiple-entry versions. Only six-month
tourist visas are extendable. Must check whether your visa is valid from
the date of entry or the date of issue.
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What to wear
Loose-fitting, light clothes are suitable
for most of the year. Shirt, tie and trousers or a Safari suit for men and
comfortable dresses for women are suitable for business functions. A
Western-style suit or a Nehru jacket are more appropriate for formal
occasions.
|
 For Further Information
Ministry of Tourism
88 Janpath, Connaught Place
New Delhi, India
Tel : (91) 11-332-005
Fax : (91) 11-3 320342
India Trade Promotion Organisation
Pragati Bhawan,
New Delhi 110 001
India
Tel : (91) 11-3371831/3371540
Fax : (91) 11-3371869
Email : itpo@qiasdl01.vsnl.net.in
More
about India
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