General Information
India is rapidly gaining ground in the international scenario as a popular destination for foreign travelers, international students, and even for some others who opt to migrate to this mystical land, which has caught much of their fancy and amazement. The country, which had been reeling under the onslaught of a British colonial rule, managed to fight all odds and create a niche for itself in less than 60 years since its independence. It has metamorphosed into one of the most sought after destinations for travel, much due to the presence of several renowned world heritage sites, and an inherent spiritualistic force, which pulls enthusiastic travelers towards it.

India provides a unique picture of herself in the global map. Since long, travelers of all sorts have made their way to the country to catch a glimpse of some of the world's most famous historic sites and monuments that are reminiscent of the country's rich cultural heritage. Taj Mahal in Agra is one such landmark, which has been inducted into the list of the Seven Wonders of the World, owing to its unique architectural beauty and historic relevance. Moreover, the spiritual fervor that the country evokes is another reason for which foreigners come to the country, and also inculcate traces of it into their lives. A rich experience of exploring the bounty of this enchanting land awaits the eager traveler on its threshold.

Geography
India is set apart from the rest of Asia by the Himalayas, the highest, youngest and still evolving mountain chain on the planet. The subcontinent as it is rightly called, touches three large water bodies and is immediately recognizable on any world map. This thick, roughly triangular peninsula defines the Bay of Bengal to the east, the Arabian sea to the west, and the India Ocean to the south.

India holds virtually every kind of landscape imaginable. An abundance of mountain ranges and national parks provide ample opportunity for eco-tourism and trekking, and its sheer size promises something for everyone. From north to south India extends a good 2000 miles (3200 km), where the island nation of Sri Lanka seems to be squeezed out of India like a great tear, the synapse forming the Gulf of Mannar.

History
Nearly five thousand years back flourished India's first major civilization along the Indus River valley. The twin cities of Mohenjodaro and Harappa now in Pakistan were ruled by priests and held the rudiments of Hinduism. These civilizations are known to possess a sophisticated lifestyle, a highly developed sense of aesthetics, an astonishing knowledge of town planning and an undecipherable script language. The Indus civilization at one point of time extended nearly a million square kilometers across the Indus river valley. It existed at the same time as the ancient civilizations of Egypt and Sumer but far outlasted them. Surviving for nearly a thousand years the Indus valley civilization fell to tectonic upheavals in about 1700 BC, which caused a series of floods.