India

Where is SOUTH ASIA??

Satellite View of South Asia

Background   The Republic of India is the seventh largest country by geographical area, the second most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world.   Major world religions, Hinduism and Buddhism, originated here,

Background Continued   Gradually annexed by the British East India Company from the early eighteenth century and colonized by the United Kingdom from the mid-nineteenth century, India became a modern nation-state in 1947 after a struggle for independence that was marked by widespread nonviolent resistance.

  It appears the first people were Aryan Nomads from Europe.   They were followed by the Vedic Civilization, which laid the foundations of Hinduism and other cultural aspects of early Indian society.

The Himalayas  “him” [snow]  “aalaya” [home]  Mt. Everest is 29,035 feet. It is the highest mt. peak in the world.

History From the sixteenth century, the British used India as a colony for natural resources.

20 th Century History During the first half of the twentieth century, a nationwide struggle for independence was launched. Led by Mahatma Gandhi, and displaying commitment to non- violence, millions of protesters engaged in mass campaigns of civil disobedience against Great Britain.

Finally, on 15 August 1947, India gained independence from British rule, but was partitioned, in accordance to wishes of the Muslim League, along the lines of religion to create the Islamic nation-state of Pakistan. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Leader of the Muslim League

20 th Century History Since independence, India has experienced violence and insurgencies in various parts of the country, but has maintained its unity and democracy. It has unresolved territorial disputes with China, which in 1962 escalated into the brief Sino-Indian War; and with Pakistan, which resulted in wars in 1947, 1965, 1971, and 1999.

20 th Century History Beginning in 1991, significant economic reforms have transformed India into one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, adding to its global and regional clout.

  The constitution of India, the longest and most exhaustive constitution of any independent nation in the world, came into force on January 26,   India has a federal form of government and a bicameral parliament.   It has three branches of governance: the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary. Government

Government   The President of India is the official head of state elected indirectly by an electoral college for a five-year term.   The Prime Minister is, however, the de facto head of government and exercises most executive powers.

  India has the world's second largest labor force, with million people, 60% of whom are employed in agriculture and related industries; 28% in services and related industries; and 12% in industry.   Overpopulation is a big concern for India’s economy, since World War II India has taken steps to limit population growth as a way to strengthen their economy.

Economy   While India has large amounts of natural resources the main resource needed for modern industrialization is OIL.   India is dependent on other nations for its oil supply.   This is a common occurrence for many countries in which they become dependant on another county for some of its natural resource needs.   “Natural resources are not evenly distributed around the world”

Economy   More recently, India has capitalized on its large pool of educated, English- speaking people, and trained professionals to become an important outsourcing destination for multinational corporations and a popular destination for medical tourism.

Economy   India has also become a major exporter of software as well as financial, research, and technological services.   Its natural resources include arable land, bauxite, chromite, coal, diamonds, iron ore, limestone, manganese, mica, natural gas, petroleum, and titanium ore.

Economy   India has a mixed economy where the government makes some economic decisions, businesses and individuals make other decisions.

  Economic reforms have transformed it into the second fastest growing economy however, it still suffers from high levels of poverty, illiteracy, malnutrition and environmental degradation.

Culture   India's culture has managed to preserve established traditions while absorbing new customs, traditions, and ideas from invaders and immigrants.   Indian Architecture, including notable monuments, such as the Taj Mahal   The Indian film industry is the largest in the world. Bollywood, based in Mumbai, makes commercial Hindi films and is the most prolific film industry in the world.

Culture   The staple food in the region is rice.   Spice originally native to the Indian subcontinent that are now consumed world wide include black pepper; hot chili peppers, popular across India, were introduced by the Portuguese.

The Ganges River System 1,560 miles long

Weather   India’s climate is dominated by monsoons. Monsoons are strong, often violent winds that change direction with the season.   The monsoon winds blow from the northeast and carry little moisture.   The temperature is high because the Himalayas form a barrier that prevents cold air from passing onto the subcontinent.

Monsoons   The summer monsoons roar onto the subcontinent from the southwest.   The winds carry moisture from the Indian Ocean and bring heavy rains from June to September.   The torrential rainstorms often cause violent landslides.   Entire villages have been swept away during monsoon rains.   Despite the potential for destruction, the summer monsoons are welcomed in India. Farmers depend on the rains to irrigate their land.