India Facts and Information
From language, climate and religion to passports and visas, here are some quick facts to make planning your trip easier.
Geography
India’s coastline extends over 7 500 km (4 660 miles), with the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal each lapping its shores. Its neighbours include Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
India boasts a great variety of landscapes, from the Himalaya Mountains to the deserts of Rajasthan, the dense jungles of central India and the golden beaches of the south.
Climate
With its vast land size, India has a variable climate. March to September are generally thought of as the summer/monsoon months, while winter is from mid October to February. In spite of regional variations, there are three main seasons – the hot, the wet and the cool.
Hot season
The summer heat makes itself felt on the northern plains of India as early as February and, by April and May, the temperatures have reached up to 45°C / 113°F. The first signs of the monsoon appear in May, with high humidity, electrical storms and short rains. As the heat increases on the central plains, the weather in the high peaks of the Himalayas is at its best. By early June, the snows on even the highest and most inaccessible passes have melted.Wet season
The long, hard rains of the monsoon season move into southern India at the beginning of June, sweeping north to cover the entire country by the following month. The regular rains do not necessarily mean a cooler temperature and this season is often hot and humid.Cool season
By October the monsoon rains have eased throughout most of India. This is an exceptionally good time to visit, with comfortable temperatures – not too hot during the day and not too cold at night. Later in the year, from December and January, the northern regions of the country, including Delhi, can become crisp and cold at night. The far north experiences much colder weather, with regular snowfalls. In the far south, the temperatures remain pleasantly cool until February.Religion
In this deeply religious society, faith suffuses almost every aspect of life. India’s major religion is Hinduism, which is practiced by 82% of the population. Islam, which was introduced by the invading armies of the Mughal empire in the 16th century, accounts for another 12%. Christians, Sikhs and Buddhists make up most of the remainder of the population. India’s many religions are expressed through its beautiful temples, mosques and monasteries, as well as its colourful religious festivals.
Language
As diverse linguistically as it is in many other ways, India has hundreds of languages, although only 18 are recognised in its constitution.
The two official government languages are English and Hindi, which is predominant in the north of the country. Most educated Indians speak passable English.
Passports and visas
You will need a valid passport and visa to enter the country.
Visas cannot be issued on arrival and we recommend that you contact your local Indian embassy or consulate when planning your trip.
It is also essential that your passport should be valid for at least six months from date of entry.
