Country: India
Where is it?: India is in southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan.
Why do people go here?: With one of the highest concentrations of people anywhere in the world, India is an overwhelming visual overload with every stimuli. Prepare to see, experience, smell and taste something you have never experienced. With an extreme amount of patience and open mindedness, India will open her arms to you.
What are the main entry points?: Traveling overland into India is possible from a variety of different ways. The India and Nepal crossings are Sunauli-Bhairawa, Birganj-Raxaul Bazaar, Kakarbhitta-Siliguri. Attari is the only border crossing open between India and Pakistan. Travelers usually enter India’s through one of its international airports: Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai.
Currency used: Rupee
Country Code for Phones: 91
Area codes for Major Cities: Delhi 11, Bombay 22, Calcutta 33
Other Phone Tips: There are 3 vital factors to think about when making calls while in India: 1) whether it is from/to a cell phone, 2) whether if it will cross zones/circles and 3) if the call uses an operator.
Religion: Hindu 81.3%, Muslim 12%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other groups including Buddhist, Jain, Parsi 2.5% (2000)
Population: 1 billion
Ethnic Groups: Indo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, Mongoloid and other 3% (2000)
Government: Federal republic, parliamentary democracy
Languages: English & Hindi
Major Cities: New Delhi, Calcutta, Nagpur
Attractions: Agra, Mysore, Udaipur, Varanasi
Accommodation: India Hostels
Tourism Office locations and links: India Tourism Office
Off-the-Beaten-Path: Jaisalmer, Khajuraho, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Health Issues: Cholera, Dengue Fever, Hepatitis, Malaria, Meningococcal Meningitis, Typhoid
When to go: India is a huge country with many different factors that contribute to the weather. You can visit India throughout the year.
Common Phrases: Hello=Namaste/Namaskar; How are you?= Kaise hain?;I am fine = Main theek hoon; Goodbye=Main chalta hoon (chalti for female); How much/ What is the cost?=Kitna hua/ kitna daam hai?; I want to go to hotel=Mujhe hotel jana hai; What is your name?=Apka naam Kya hai?; My name is … =Mera naam … hai; Yes=Haan; No=Nahi; Thank you=Shukriya/ Dhanyavaad
Specific Events/Holidays: India has mountains upon mountains of festivals, in every region, city, and countryside. Below are just a few of the millions. Republic Day: January, Holi: February, Ganesh Chaturthi: August/September, Gods in Kullu: September/October
Getting Around: There are millions of ways to explore India: bus, train, bike, rickshaw, taxis, plane. Just remember, it’s always going to be an interesting experience.
Good to know: India lacks definition. Every state is loaded with cultures, classes, rich people, poor people, all living side by side. You can’t expect anything – EVER.
Cheapest airport to fly into: The cheapest airports to fly into India are the Indira Gandhi International Airport and Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport.
Need more information?: Check out the India travel guide for more on what to see, where to stay, and how to get there.
