27 Interesting India Facts About Tigers, The Taj Mahal, And More

These interesting facts about INdia explore the rich culture and history of the largest democracy on Earth.

For those who have never been to India or know little about the country, images of the Taj Mahal, Hindu iconography, Gandhi, and chicken tikka masala may represent most of what comes to mind.

Of course, a country as vast and culturally rich as India offers infinitely more than the little commonly known by outsiders. From the spices in your food to the basic math you use in your everyday life, India's contributions to humankind are globe-spanning and essential.

The country that is now India started making its mark on world history more than 5,000 years ago, when the Indus Valley Civilization (one of the oldest in recorded history) began flourishing. And after more than five millennia of growth, India is now the second most populous country on Earth and is home to nearly 18 percent of the world's people.

The most populous democracy in the world, India consists of 29 diverse states and seven other territories with more than a dozen languages spoken by millions of people each throughout the country.

Such diversity is the result of a long and complex history that has seen India ruled by Arabs, Turks, Persians, and the British Empire, which controlled the country until the mid-20th century. Today, India is a unique tapestry of various ethnic, cultural, and religious influences.

So while the India facts in the gallery above may only scratch the surface, they're sure to leave you with a deeper understanding of this country's fascinating culture and history.