India is shaped like a huge giant. The head is held high by the great Himalayan range, holding back Afghanistan and China on the Asian map.  The soulders support Pakistan on the left and Nepal on right. The hands stretch out to desert of Kutch on one end and wet rainforests of its north-eastern states on the other. The legs, wrapped close together, are followed down by the Arabian Sea on the left and the Bay of Bengal on the right. They tiptoe down to a point where the sea meet, literally. 

India will amaze you. This has been said only too often and not without reason. However, before you set out to discover this 4000-plus year old civilization in South Asia, wed like to equip you with several essential facts. This section was written to provide you the right orientation on India and its people.