Facts

See FAST FACTS for South Asia Region.

Slightly more than 1/3 the size of the U.S.

Please note that the actual border between Pakistan and India is under dispute.

Brief History: The area that is now India was under the control of the British Raj until it gained independence in 1947. Now, it is the world’s largest democracy and second most populous country. Though it is still considered a developing country, India is following close on the heels of technology in the developed world.

Official name: Republic of India

Population: 1.1 billion

Religion: Hinduism – 80% (about 800 million people); Islam – 13%

Unengaged Unreached People Groups: 325
{see our section on the Unreached}

Official Language: Hindi, English and 14 other official languages

Capital: New Delhi

The Indian flag is a horizontal tricolor in equal proportion. The saffron represents courage and sacrifice; the white, for purity and truth; and the green for growth and auspiciousness. In the center of the white band, there is a wheel in navy blue to indicate the Dharma Chakra, the wheel of law in the Sarnath Lion Capital. It’s diameter approximates the width of the white band and it has 24 spokes, which intends to show that there is life in movement and death in stagnation.[2]