10 Incredible Facts About India That You Probably Didn’t Know

India is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world and you’ll notice this right away when you arrive at its borders, but did you know that India has more languages than any other country on Earth? It’s true! India boasts over 1,652 spoken languages and dialects, which means that you won’t have to worry about people not understanding you while you’re there. You should still learn a few basic phrases in Hindi, though, because it’s one of the most common languages in use in the country!

1) There is an oasis inside the desert
The Thar Desert is one of the world’s largest and harshest deserts, but it does have some surprises. One such surprise is the Pushkar Lake. It’s the only natural lake in the desert and it has an oasis inside of it! There are over 4500 temples in Kerala: Kerala is often called as God’s Own Country because there are over 4500 temples scattered all over the state. These temples range from architectural styles like medieval-era to rock cut architecture that date back to before 100 AD. There are more than 1000 islands in Lakshadweep: Laccadive Islands is a group of islands near Kerala and Karnataka that are part of Union Territory Of India.

2) The first official census was in 1881
The first official census was in 1881, and it took more than a decade to complete. The process was laborious, given the size of the country and its population at the time. It is estimated that over two million people were involved in collecting data from across India. The census remains one of the most extensive surveys ever undertaken by any nation

3) There are more than 6 thousand languages spoken in India
India is a kaleidoscope of languages and dialects, which are mostly concentrated in the north and east of the country. Hindi is spoken by about 40% of Indians, with English as a secondary language. There are more than 6 thousand languages spoken in India (five words) from different parts of the world like Bengali (from Bangladesh), Gujarati (from southern Gujarat), Marathi (from Maharashtra), Punjabi (from Punjab) and Telugu (from Andhra Pradesh).

4) The longest railway platform in the world can be found in India
The Indian Railways is the world’s largest network, which makes it the perfect place to host the world’s longest railway platform. The Kanyakumari Railway Station in Tamil Nadu, southern India, has a length of 1.32 kilometres and is able to accommodate two trains at once. Potholes are a problem for cyclists in India: Cyclists have to be extra careful when they ride their bikes on bumpy roads that are filled with potholes and uneven surfaces.
There is an invisible village on Google Maps: Google maps cannot be edited by users so if you zoom in on this particular village, you will see that it simply disappears.

5) National parks cover nearly 6 percent of the country
India is home to many incredible natural wonders, and its national parks are no exception. From the snow-covered peaks of the Himalayas to the tropical rainforests of Assam, there are plenty of places in India that will amaze you. Here are ten facts about Indian national parks that you may not have known:
·National parks cover nearly 6 percent of the country’s total land area.

6) Several movies have been filmed here and it’s one of the largest film industries in the world
India is the world’s most populous country, so it’s no surprise that it has a vast and varied history. It was home to some of the world’s oldest civilizations, including the Indus Valley Civilization and the Mughal Empire. In modern times, it has become one of the largest film industries in the world. A number of Hollywood movies have been filmed here, including Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011) and Life of Pi (2012).

7) On average, every person consumes over 70 kg sugar every year
On average, every person consumes over 70 kg sugar every year. This is more than three times the global average and the sugar consumption per capita in the US. The high sugar intake coupled with lack of activity are major factors that contribute to obesity in India. More than one-third of all adults are obese, ranking it number 10 globally for adult obesity rates (1 being the most obese).
There are over a billion people living below $2 a day: There are over a billion people living below $2 a day.

8) The Indian postal service is one of the most ancient in the world still operating today
The Indian postal service is one of the most ancient in the world still operating today, and has the largest network in the world with over 1,54,000 post offices. A letter from England to Calcutta takes around 8 to 10 days to arrive; an express letter can make it in as little as three.

9) Wearing shoes on a religious site is prohibited in many regions
Wearing shoes on a religious site is prohibited in many regions of the country, and there are some places where they’re not allowed at all. There are also certain areas where you should remove your shoes before entering a temple or mosque, but it’s up to you to decide whether or not you feel comfortable doing so.

10) Mahatma Gandhi did not believe in Hinduism or Islam, but he did believe in God.
Gandhi didn’t believe in either Hinduism or Islam, but he did believe in God. He was a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, which was founded by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, who claimed to be the Messiah and Mahdi prophesied about by Muhammad and many other religions. Gandhi did not consider himself an expert on the Quran and instead chose to study the Bible for its teachings about peace and nonviolence.