India — world's most populous country (1.42 bn), 22 official languages, 40 UNESCO sites.
- India surpassed China in population in 2023 1.425 bn vs 1.411 bn. 65,000 children born here daily. Median age: 28 years (China 39, Japan 49).
- India has 22 official languages (Hindi + 21 regional). Plus 1600 dialects. Most common: Hindi (528 mn), Bengali (97 mn), Tamil (75 mn).
- Taj Mahal — monument of love Built 1632-1648 by Emperor Shah Jahan for deceased wife Mumtaz Mahal. Marble from 13 km. 20,000 workers employed.
- India invented zero, chess, yoga, ayurveda Plus Nalanda University (5th c. BC — world's oldest). Decimal system + Arabic numerals come from India.
- Hinduism — oldest living religion (>4000 years). 1.2 bn followers. Reincarnation, karma, dharma. Plus Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism — all from India.
- Bollywood — world's largest film production 1500 films annually (Hollywood 600). 3-hour films, with singing, dancing. Tickets: $2.
- India has 40 UNESCO sites (Taj Mahal, Qutb Minar, Red Fort, Khajuraho Temples, Ajanta and Ellora caves, Darjeeling Railway).
- Cows are sacred in India (slaughter banned in 18 of 28 states). 300 mn cows. Milk + ghee butter in hundreds of dishes.
- India exported IT to the world Bengaluru — 'Silicon Valley of India'. CEOs of Microsoft, Google, IBM, Adobe — all Indians. 5.4 mn Indians in IT sector.
- India has the world's largest democracy 900 mn eligible voters. Parliamentary elections last 6 weeks (logistics). 11 mn election workers.
Sources: Government of India Census, Ministry of Tourism, UNESCO World Heritage, NASSCOM.