INDIA

Full name: Republic of India
Population: 1.1 billion (UN, 2005)
Capital: New Delhi
Most-populated city: Mumbai (Bombay)
Major languages: Hindi, English and at least 16 other official languages
Major religions: Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism
Life expectancy: 62 years (men), 65 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 Indian Rupee = 100 paise
GNI per capita: US $720 (World Bank, 2006)

[Source: BBC News]

India is the world's largest democracy and second most populous country.

It has been said that it is easier to describe the country as a continent with its wide-ranging geography and many variations of religion, language, customs, art and cuisine.

The country has a fast-growing economy with a large skilled workforce, but is still tackling huge social, economic and environmental problems and widespread poverty.

India’s cuisine is shaped by all the different elements of its history, geography, culture, climate and religions.

Eating is a culinary adventure and there are a myriad of options to explore, with street food being a good place to start.

In the north you will find mughlai cuisine introduced by the Mughals (Muslim emperors who came from central Asia) in the early 16th century.

This culinary tradition is recognised in rich sauces, buttery curries and marinated meat cooked in tandoor.

The arid region of Rajasthan, known as the ‘Land of Kings’, is home to some more royal cuisine. Game featured prominently in the cuisine of the Rajputs who were also known as great hunters.

Vegetarianism sustains the masses at the other end of the Rajastani food scale. Milk and buttermilk are often used instead of water, because of the scarcity of water.

In the south everything is different, from the people and language, through to the scenery and food. Here you will find mainly vegetarian cuisine and the tropical coastline features seafood.

Tea and spices are grown in the mountainous Western Ghats. Rice is the main crop and intensively farmed in the fertile plain between the mountains and the coast.