Map showing the cities, states, and union territories of India (more) Map of India Written by Michael Ray Michael Ray is an assistant managing editor who has worked at Britannica since 2003. In addition to leading the Geography and History team, he oversees coverage of European history and military affairs.... Michael Ray Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated June 5, 2026 •History India is home to one of the world’s oldest civilizations, and it is, by some counts, the world’s most populous country. Less than 40 percent of India’s 1.4 billion people live in cities, but its major metropolitan agglomerations continue to experience rapid growth. India’s population is one of the most diverse in the world, and it includes thousands of small ethnic and tribal groups. Although roughly four-fifths of Indians identify as Hindu, religious minorities, including...

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