India
Summary
India, the largest democracy in the world, has some of the most varied
and rewarding scenery on the planet. Plenty for adventurers to fill
several lifetimes with, the snow-capped peaks and foothills of the
Himalayas, fertile plains of Assam, rainforests in Kerala, golden sands
of the Thar Desert and meandering waterways of the sacred Ganges, there
is something for everyone.
India is also a land of ancient civilisations, each state with different traditions, costumes, languages and ways of life. The country's rich history has left a wealth of temples, forts and palaces, including the Taj Mahal.
Facts 
Capital: New Delhi
Largest City: Mumbai
Official language: Hindi, English
Government: Federal republic, Parliamentary democracy
Independence from UK: Declared 15 August 1947, Republic on 26 January 1950.
Population: 1,166,079,217 2010 est.
GDP: Total $3.298 trillion. Per capita $2,930 2009 est.
Currency: Indian rupee (₨) (INR)
Time: GMT +5:30hrs