India is the world's most populous country and largest democracy, a federal republic of 28 states stretching from the Himalayas to the Indian Ocean, with thousands of languages and a deep civilisational heritage.
Geography & landscape
India sits in Southern Asia, in the northern hemisphere of Asia. With an area of approximately 3,287,263 km², it is a continental-scale country, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, New Delhi, lies near coordinates 20°, 77°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Asia, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Southern Asia region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across India.
People & society
The population of India is around 1.43B. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
India recognises multiple official languages — Hindi and English — reflecting the cultural plurality at the heart of national life. The choice of language often shifts with region, audience and context.
Government & politics
India is structured as a federal parliamentary republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in New Delhi, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of India is the Indian Rupee (INR). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around New Delhi and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of India shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet India through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, New Delhi, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +91, and clocks are set to the IST (UTC+5:30) time zone. ISO standards identify India as IN (alpha-2) and IND (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇮🇳, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | New Delhi | — |
| Continent | Asia | — |
| Sub-region | Southern Asia | — |
| Population | 1.43B | people |
| Area | 3,287,263 | km² |
| Currency | Indian Rupee (INR) | — |
| Calling code | +91 | international dialling |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) | standard time |
| Government type | Federal parliamentary republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | IN | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | IND | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 20 | degrees |
| Longitude | 77 | degrees |
Did you know?
India is officially the world's most populous country since 2023, and has more than 22 official languages and over 700 mother tongues.
