1. INDIA
THE LAND, ITS PEOPLE AND CULTURE:
A SEVENTH GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES CLASS
2. Official Name Bharat (Hindi), Republic of India (English)
Capital New Delhi
Population 1,210,193,422 (2011 Census) more than a billion! (more than three times the US population)
Area 1.29 million square miles (less than one third the US land area)
Geographical Location Lies between latitudes 8 4' and 37 6 ' north and longitudes 68 7 ' and 9 25' east
Coastline Length 4725 miles
Languages India has two National languages (Central administrative). They are English (associate official) and Hindi (in the
Devanagiri script). The Indian Constitution also officially recognizes 22 regional languages.
Major Religions Hinduism (80.5%, 974.2 million), Islam (13.4%, 162.2 million), Christianity (2.3%, 28
(percentages are from million), Sikhism (1.9%, 23 million), Buddhism (0.8%, 9.7 million), Jainism (0.4%, 5
2001 census) million), other ( 0.6%, 7.2 million)
Literacy 65.38%
National Animal Tiger (Panthera tigris)
National Bird Peacock
National Flower Lotus
National Tree Banyan
National Fruit Mango
National Currency Rupee (One Rupee=100 paise)
National Sport Hockey (field hockey)
3.
4. THE STARK YET BEAUTIFUL DESERT THE MAJESTIC HIMALAYAS
TROPICAL PARADISE THE PEACEFUL BEACHES
5. A Few Basic Facts about India
• The largest active, thriving, robust democracy.
• With six main religions, 24 languages, and varying climate and topography, India is a nation full of diversity.
• Land of great contrasts.
• It is vibrant, pulsating, and throbbing with life. Crowded, noisy, colorful. Men, machine & animals share the land.
• Despite its tryst with modernism, it is deeply spiritual.
6. How people live in India?
Same as anywhere else. Everywhere in the world things are
"Same, yet Different."
Basic needs: Food, shelter, clothing, transport
Food for the mind: Arts, music & culture
Food for the soul: Religion/Spiritualism
7. Foods of India
• The foods of India are as rich and diverse as its culture.
• Indian cooking is considered an art form, passed down from one generation to the next,
by word of mouth.
• India is noted for her hospitality.
• Indians take great honor in sharing their meals, whether they are bountiful or meager.
• Indian women take great pride in insuring that no guest leaves their home unhappy or
unfed.
• Vegetarians in India depend heavily on legumes as a source of protein flavored with
many different spices.
• The spices used often depends on the region of the country, however, they might
include curry, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, coriander, cumin, ginger, turmeric,
tamarind, coconut, chilies, and saffron.
• Some popular vegetables include spinach, okra, zucchini, tomatoes, cauliflower,
cucumber, mushrooms, potatoes and onions.
• But meat is also eaten.
• In general, food is spicy! It is usually curried, and flavored with herbs and spices.
25. Food for the Soul: Religion/Spirituality
Hinduism (80.5%, 974.2 million), (Click here for The Hindu Faith: A Primer)
Islam (13.4%, 162.2 million),
Christianity (2.3%, 28 million),
Sikhism (1.9%, 23 million),
Buddhism (0.8%, 9.7 million),
Jainism (0.4%, 5 million),
Other ( 0.6%, 7.2 million)
Thank You and Namaste
