India

India, officially the Republic of India, is a vast and diverse country situated in South Asia. It is the world's most populous country as of June 2023 and the world's seventh-largest country by land area. Surrounded by the Indian Ocean and bordered by several countries like Pakistan, China, and Bangladesh, India has also been known to be surrounded by maritime borders with countries like Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Human settlement in India dates back over 55,000 years, giving birth to impressive genetic and cultural diversity. Old civilizations like the Indus Valley Civilization and the creation of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism shaped early Indian society. Over time, various empires like the Maurya, Gupta, Vijayanagara, and Mughal empires contributed to its rich cultural and political heritage. Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism also found footing in the nation, so that the society became extremely pluralistic. British colonisation in the 18th and 19th centuries eventually led to India gaining independence in 1947, subsequently followed by partition and intense social turmoil.

India has since become a democratic, multilingual, and multi-ethnic nation since it became a republic in 1950. Its population has risen over 1.4 billion, with rapid economic growth, especially in technology and services. Income, education, and poverty have all improved significantly, yet economic inequality, gender inequalities, child malnutrition, and air pollution persist. The country continues to be geopolitically significant with border tensions in Kashmir and a massive defense expenditure. A culturally powerful presence throughout the world through its entertainment and music industries, India is also among the world's most biologically diverse countries with rich wildlife and protected habitats that reflect its long history of tolerance for the environment.