India Profile: Facts and figures

Population
1027 million (2001 Census)
Area
3.3 million square kilometers
Geographical location
Lies between latitudes 8 ° 4' and 37 ° 6 ' north and longitudes 68 ° 7 ' and 97 ° 25' east
Coastline length
7,600 km
Languages
17 major languages, 844 dialects
Major religions
Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism
National anthem
Jan gana mana written by  Rabindranath Tagore
National emblem
Replica of the Lion Capital of Sarnath
National flag
Horizontal tricolor in equal proportion of deep saffron on the top, white in the middle and dark green at the bottom. In the center of the white band is a wheel in navy blue colour.
National animal
Tiger, Panthera tigris
National bird
Peacock
National flower
Lotus
National tree
Banyan
National fruit
Mango
National currency Rupees (One Rupees=100 paise)
Political structure
India
Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic
The Indian Union
28 States and seven centrally administered
Union Territories
Form of government
Parliamentary, based on universal adult franchise
Legislature
Parliament, consists of President and the two Houses, known as Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and Lok Sabha (House of the People )
Executive
Consists of President, Vice-President and Council of Ministers led by the Prime Minister
Judiciary
Independent of executive