India - By the numbers

India, the world's second most populous nation and its 10th largest economy,is on the rise and bidding for superpower status. After years of having a virtually closed economy, the world's largestdemocracy flung open its doors to the world in 1991.IT hubs, Mercedes cars and a burgeoning middle class have taken over fromthe popular image of saris, snake-charmers and slums.But many in the countryside have become mere spectators to the dramaunfolding in the cities, with 390 million living on less than $1 a day.

Since independence from Britain, the nuclear power has also had a testyrelationship with arch-rival Pakistan, leading to three wars between them, and atense standoff in 2001.Within its own borders -- which stretch from the Himalayas in the north, theThar Desert in the east and the Indian Ocean in the south -- caste, religionand communal tensions simmer, at times threatening to disrupt the secularstate.

India's soaring population is proving a challenge as leaders seek to protectthe land that is home to one of the world's oldest civilizations, and whichhas seen the invasions of Aryan tribes, Arab incursions and European traders.Below are the key facts behind the chaotic, colorful and always memorableIndia of today:The people

Population: 1,080,264,388 (July 2005 estimate)
Sex ratio: 1.05 male/female at birth
Median age: 24.66 years, 24.64 years for males,24.67 years for females (2005 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.4 percent (2005 estimate)
Religions: Hindu 80.5 percent, Muslim 13.4 percent, Christian 2.3 percent,Sikh 1.9 percent, other 1.8 percent, unspecified 0.1 percent (2001 census)
Ethnic groups: Indo-Aryan 72 percent; Dravidian 25 percent; Mongoloid andother 3 percent (2000 estimate)
Infant mortality rate: Estimates vary from 56 to 65 deaths per 1,000 livebirthsTotal fertility rate: 2.78 children children born per female (2005 est.)
Life expectancy: Estimates place overall figure at about 64 years; male63.57; female 65.16 (2005 estimate)
People living with HIV/AIDS: 5.1 million (2001 estimate)
Major infectious diseases: Floodwater diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hep A and E, typhoid fevervectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and Japanese encephalitis arehigh risks in some locations animal contact disease: rabies (2004)
Languages: English is used for national, political and commercialcommunication; Hindi is the national language and primary tongue of 30% of the people;there are 14 other official languagesLiteracy: Defined as age 15+ and can read and write - total population: 59.5percent; male: 70.2 percent, female: 48.3 percent (2003 est.)
The land Border countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, China, Nepal and PakistanCoastline: 7,000 kilometers (4,349.8 miles)
Climate: Tropical monsoon in south, temperate in northLowest point:
Indian Ocean, sea levelHighest point: Kanchenjunga, 8,598 meters (26,246 feet)
Natural resources: Coal (Fourth-largest reserve in world), iron ore,manganese, mica, bauxite, titanium ore, chromite, natural gas, diamonds, petroleum,limestone, arable landsLand use: Arable lands 54.4 percent; permanent crops 2.74 percent; other42.86 percentNatural hazards: Droughts; flash floods, as well as widespread anddestructive flooding from monsoon rains; severe thunderstorms; earthquakes

The economy GDP real growth rate: 6.2 percent (2004 estimate)GDP per capita: Purchasing power parity - $3,100 (2004 est.)Public debt: 59.7 percent of GDP (federal debt only; state debt notincluded) (2004 est.)
Labor force: 482 million (2004 estimate)Labor force by occupation: Agriculture 60 percent; industry 17 percent;services 23 percent (1999 estimate)Unemployment rate: 9.2 percent (2004 estimate)Population below poverty line: Estimates range between 25 percent and 29percentOil production: 780,000 bbl/day (2004 estimate)Oil consumption: 2.13 million bbl/day (2001 estimate)Export partners: U.S. 18.4 percent; China 7.8 percent; UAE 6.7 percent; UK4.8 percent; Hong Kong 4.3 percent; Germany 4 percent (2004 estimate)Import partners: U.S. 7 percent; Belgium 6.1 percent; China 5.9 percent;Singapore 4.8 percent; Australia 4.6 percent; UK 4.6 percent; Germany 4.5percent (2004 percent)

The networks Phone lines in use: 48.9 million (2003)Mobile/cellular phones: 26,154,400 (2003)Radio broadcast stations: 153 AM; 91 FM; 68 shortwave (1998)TV broadcast stations: 562 (of which 82 stations have 1 kW or greater powerand 480 stations have less than 1 kW of power) (1997)Internet country code: .inInternet hosts: 86,871 (2003)Internet users: 18.5 million (2003)The government

Country name: Conventional long form: Republic of India, short form: IndiaGovernment type: Federal republicCapital: New DelhiAdministrative divisions: 28 states and 7 union territoriesIndependence: 15 August 1947 (from UK)National holiday: Republic Day, 26 January (1950)Constitution: 26 January 1950; amended many timesLegal system: Based on English common law; limited judicial review oflegislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations; separatepersonal law codes apply to Muslims, Christians, and HindusSuffrage: 18 years of age; universalMilitary manpower: Fit for military service: males age 16-49: 219,471,999(2005 est.)Military expenditures: $17 billion (2004)