India
The Republic of India is the second most populous country in the world, with a population of more than one billion. It is situated in South Asia and is the seventh largest country by geographical area. India is home to most of the Indus Valley Civilization and has given birth to four major world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism.
Before partition in 1947, India extended into present-day Pakistan and Bangladesh. Before the period of Muslim rule, this territory was also called 'Bharat'; other names also include: Hindustan, British India, etc
India has grown significantly, both in population and in strategic importance in the last two decades. The Indian economy is the fourth largest in the world with respect to gross domestic product, measured in terms of purchasing power parity, and is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. India, the world's largest liberal democracy, has also emerged as an important regional power, possessing one of the world's largest military forces and a declared nuclear weapons capability.
India constitutes most of the Indian subcontinent, and straddles many important and historic trade routes. It shares its borders with Pakistan, the People's Republic of China, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Afghanistan. The country was a part of the British Empire before gaining independence in 1947.
- See Wikipedia article on India for more information
