India is our motherland. It is a large and beautiful country in South Asia. India is the seventh largest country in the world by area and the second most populated. From the snow-covered Himalayas in the north to the blue oceans in the south, India has many different landforms, languages, and cultures. Let us learn more about our wonderful country.
The official name of our country is the Republic of India (Bharat). The capital of India is New Delhi.
India is shaped roughly like a triangle. It is surrounded by water on three sides: the Arabian Sea to the west, the Bay of Bengal to the east, and the Indian Ocean to the south.
India has 28 states and 8 union territories.
| State | Capital |
|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh | Lucknow |
| Maharashtra | Mumbai |
| Tamil Nadu | Chennai |
| West Bengal | Kolkata |
| Karnataka | Bengaluru |
| Rajasthan | Jaipur |
| Kerala | Thiruvananthapuram |
| Gujarat | Gandhinagar |
Some union territories: Delhi, Chandigarh, Puducherry, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
India shares its borders with seven countries:
Pakistan -- to the north-west
China -- to the north
Nepal -- to the north
Bhutan -- to the north-east
Bangladesh -- to the east
Myanmar -- to the east
Sri Lanka -- an island country to the south, separated by the Palk Strait
India has many different types of landforms:
1. The Himalayas (Mountains) -- The mighty Himalayan mountain range lies in the north. It is the highest mountain range in the world. Mount Everest, the tallest peak, is on the border of Nepal and China.
2. The Northern Plains -- South of the Himalayas lie the vast, flat plains. These plains are formed by rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna. The soil here is very fertile, making it ideal for farming.
3. The Plateaus -- The Deccan Plateau covers most of southern India. It is a raised, flat area of land. The soil here is good for growing cotton and sugarcane.
4. The Coasts -- India has a long coastline. The western coast faces the Arabian Sea and the eastern coast faces the Bay of Bengal. Coastal areas are known for fishing and trade.
Rivers are very important for India. They provide water for drinking, farming, and daily use.
| River | Flows Through | Important Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Ganga | Uttarakhand, UP, Bihar, West Bengal | The longest river in India; considered sacred. |
| Yamuna | Uttarakhand, Delhi, UP | A major tributary of the Ganga; flows past the Taj Mahal. |
| Brahmaputra | Arunachal Pradesh, Assam | One of the largest rivers; originates in Tibet. |
| Godavari | Maharashtra, Telangana, AP | Called the "Dakshin Ganga" (Ganga of the South). |
| Kaveri | Karnataka, Tamil Nadu | Important for farming in South India. |
| Symbol | Name |
|---|---|
| National Flag | Tiranga (Tricolour) -- saffron, white, green with Ashoka Chakra |
| National Emblem | Lion Capital of Ashoka (Satyameva Jayate) |
| National Anthem | Jana Gana Mana (written by Rabindranath Tagore) |
| National Song | Vande Mataram (written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay) |
| National Bird | Peacock |
| National Animal | Bengal Tiger |
| National Flower | Lotus |
| National Fruit | Mango |
| National River | Ganga |
| Key Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Capital | The main city where the government works. India's capital is New Delhi. |
| State | A large division of a country with its own government. India has 28 states. |
| Union Territory | An area directly governed by the central government. India has 8 UTs. |
| Neighbour | A country that shares a border with another country. |
| Plateau | A raised, flat area of land. |
| Coastline | The land along the edge of the sea. |
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