============================== INDIA ============================== India is a vast country in South Asia, which is dominated in the extreme north by the world's youngest and highest mountains, the Himalayas. At their foot, a huge plain, drained by the Indus and Ganges rivers, is one of the most fertile areas in the world and the most densely populated part of India. Further south, the Deccan plateau extends to the southern tip of the country. India generally has four seasons, the cool, the hot, the rainy, and the dry. Rainfall varies from 100mm in the northwest desert to 10,000mm in Assam. About 70% of the population depend on agriculture for their living. Much rice, sugar cane, tea and wheat are grown. Area (Sq. Km.): 3,280,466 Population: 853,532,000 Capital: Delhi Language: Hindi English Religion: Hindu 83% Moslem 11% Christian 3% Sikh 2% Government Type: Federal republic Currency: Rupee Embassy: India House Aldwych London WC2B 4NA 0171-836-8484 India is often referred to as the "Sub-continent" and that is an apt description. It's sheer complexity and size make it almost too big to be one country. First time visitors to India are struck by the vast variety of colours, traditions, peoples and customs and it would need a long visit to do more than sample the Indian travel experience. India is featured by many British tour operators and there are quite a combination of types of holiday from the very popular beach holiday in the Goa area to walking in northern India (usually coupled with a trip to Nepal) as well as rail and air tours. The islands of the Indian Ocean which belong to India are also attractive destinations. With the nearest airport in India only nine hours from London, even short seven day holidays are a practical proposition. Even skiing is possible in the heights of Gulmarg and Kufri in the Himalayas. The standard of hotels in India range from the indescribable to the top of the range. City hotels are often of international class and serve a great variety of foods. India can also be done quite cheaply as a 'backpacking' trip with small town and country hotels available for a few pounds a night. The Indian railway system originally built up during the British raj is remarkably extensive and is a great method of seeing the country. The Indrail Pass can be bought by tourists and is a really economical way of using India's rail network. Places of interest are numerous but include: Delhi (city tour) Golden Triangle Agra (Taj Mahal) Jaipur Varanasi Kashmir (mountains) Simia Bombay (city tour) Ellora caves Panaji (architecture) Calcutta (city tour) Darjeeling Assam (for wildlife reserves) Madras (city tour) Bangalore (city tour) Goa (for the beaches) Puri (Holy city) Sports: Cricket (all over India) Skiing (Gulmarg and Kufri) Water sports (Goa, Andaman islands) Fishing (Simia and Kanga Valley) Golf (throughout India - especially the Calcutta Amateur Golf Championship) also Riding Polo Hockey Tennis Squash Football Nightlife: As understood in the west, India has very little nightlife (and nothing a la Bangkok!), although in some of the larger cities some is developing. The Indian film industry is however the largest in the world and cinemas abound. Good buys: Carpets Fabrics Clothes Jewellery Leatherwork Woodwork Travellers cheques and all major credit cards are readily accepted. Health risks: Precautions are advised against - Yellow fever, malaria, Typhoid/Polio, Cholera. Air travel: India's national airline is AIR INDIA with daily flights into London. Main airports are: BOMBAY CALCUTTA DELHI MADRAS Domestic airlines are Vayudoot Indian Airlines UK tour operators: Hayes and Jarvis Bales Inspirations Cosmos Distant Dreams Ports: Bombay Calcutta Cochin Madras Calcutta Panaji(Goa) «»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«» Foreign Office Advice: Generally calm and major tourist destinations quiet. There have been violent demonstrations in hill districts of northern Uttar Pradesh resulting in curfews being imposed. Travel to the area may be difficult and travel to Assam and the north east is restricted and permits must be obtained from the Home Ministry in New Delhi. Except for the Ladakh area which is quiet, visitors are strongly advised to avoid the state of Jammu and Kashmir. There are frequent clashes between militants and security forces in the Kashmir Valley and surrounding areas. Some militant activity including robbery, kidnapping and murder has involved foreigners. Recently three Britons were kidnapped in Delhi by Kashmiri militants after being befriended by one of them. Visitors should bear this in mind and be wary of approaches by strangers. For more information ring: Foreign Office Travel Unit 0171-270-4129