Geography
India is a large country in Southern Asia, buttressed by the long sweep of the Himalayas in the North and protruding in to the Indian Ocean in the South. India is surrounded by Pakistan from North-West, China, Nepal and Bhutan from North, and Bangladesh and Myanmar from East Sri Lanka Island hanging off its Southern tip. It is the 7th largest country in the world.

Weather
India has a three-season year : hot, wet and cool. Hot season is between June to September. The wet is between March to June and September to October and the cool season is between December to March. In the North of India, only have two seasons, hot and cool. Hot season is between June to end of September and cool season is between September to April.

Background Information
Full country name: Republic of India
Area: 3,287,000 sq. km
Population: about one billion
Capital City: New Delhi (pop. 10.1 million)
People: 72% Indo-Aryan, 25% Dravidian, 3% Mongoloid
Language: Hindi and English, plus 15 main languages and over 700 dialects
Religion: 82% Hindu, 11% Muslim, 2% Christian, 2% Sikh, 0.7% Buddhist and 0.7% Janie Government: Republic.

Economic Profile
GDP: US $ 1,250 billion
World GDP ranking: 5th
GDP Per head: US $ 350
Annual growth: 5%
Inflation: 5%
Major Industries: Agriculture (rice, wheat, tea, rubber), textiles, coal and steel

Entry Information
When to go there: The best time to visit India is in winter Between October to March; because in this time, weather is the best and you could rest and visit well.

Visas: Virtually every body needs a visa to visit India. They come in a variety of flavors ranging first days to six months and include single and multiple-entry versions. Only six month tourist visa are extendable. check, whether your visa is valid from the date of entry or the date of issue.

How to get there: The best way is to get there by airplane to Bombay, Madras or Delhi airports. It is also possible to get there by sea or earth, but it is not completely safe.

Getting around: Most tourists get around by train, cheaper, easier and possible to see more places. Also could get around by bus or Indian Air-lines.

Transportation
Between cities: Airplane, train, bus
In cities: Bus, mini-bus, taxi and Riksha

Money and Costs
Currency: Indian Rupee
Relative costs: Budget meal: US $ 1
Restaurant meal: US $ 2-5
Budget room: US $ 3-10 (double)
Mid-range hotel room: US $ 12-25 (double)

Time Zone:
GMT/UTC plus 5 hours 30 minutes

Electricity:
230-240 V, 50HZ

Weights and measures:
Metric system

Communication:
Telephone, Fax, Post, Telegraph, Email, Mobile, Internet

Business hours
Government: 8-17
Shopping: 8-13
Weekend: Saturday and Sunday

Art and Culture
India is an ancient country with more than 4000 years history and Aryan Culture. Now, Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims have different traditions. Carpet, pottery, silk, architecture, movie and music are most important crafts and Arts in India. "Taj Mahal" is an ancient monument with special Architecture in the world.

Embassies
All countries have embassy in Delhi and Bombay.