India, or officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. Its population is more than 1.2 billion people; the total area is about 3.3 square kilometers, which makes India the largest country in South Asia. India shares borders with Pakistan to the west; China, Nepal, and Bhutan to the north-east; and Bangladesh and Myanmar to the east. In addition, India has a maritime border with the Maldives in the southwest, with Sri Lanka in the south and with Indonesia in the south-east. The capital is New Delhi. The official languages are Hindi and English.

The terrain of the country can be divided into three parts: the Himalayas (the highest mountains in the world) in the north, the Deccan Plateau in the south and the vast Indo-Gangetic Plain, which separates them. In India there are four major climate types: tropical wet, tropical dry, subtropical monsoon and alpine.

The national currency is the Indian rupee. Money can be exchanged at banks, airports or exchange offices. ATMs are found in most cities and towns. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted.

India is unpredictable and changeable, it surprises with its rich culture and rich history. It is a country of contrasts. Bright colors of India will impress even the most experienced travelers. It is called the country of the brightest colors and the hottest spices, the cradle of ancient civilization and the pearl of the English crown. Indian civilization is 4500 years old. Millions of people come to this country to perceive its philosophy and wisdom, to achieve the inner harmony in yoga-centers or just visit numerous ancient Buddhist temples.

The most popular tourist destination in India is Goa, where you can find stunning architectural and historic monuments as well as fabulous beaches.

Airports

Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), Delhi

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) (BOM), Mumbai

Kempegowda International Airport (BLR), Bengaluru

Chennai International Airport (MAA), Chennai

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU), Kolkata

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD), Hyderabad

Cochin International Airport (COK), Kochi

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA) (AMD), Ahmedabad

Goa International Airport (GOI), Dabolim

Trivandrum International Airport (TRV), Thiruvananthapuram

Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (LKO), Lucknow

Diving in India

8000 kilometers of India’s coastline, plenty of islands and huge underwater diversity offer a lot of opportunities for diving.

In the Arabian Sea, off the coast of Goa you will see lush coral gardens, various shipwrecks and pinnacles. Although the water visibility is not very high – from 6 to 12 meters, it is compensated by bright colors of numerous marine inhabitants. Underwater flora and fauna really flourish in these hospitable waters: damsels, groupers, snappers, sweepers, barracudas, angelfish, butterfly-fish, parrotfish, wrasse, tuna, gobies, sea cucumbers, lobsters, cuttlefish and lots of corals, including brain and table corals, sea whips and gorgonian fans.

Those who like wreck diving will be glad to explore the SS Rita wreck, also known as Suzy's wreck, a 130-meter cargo ship built in the 1930-s and sunk about 50 years ago. She is lying at a depth of 10-14 meters.

Off the Andaman Islands you will find pristine coral reefs and many attracting sea creatures. Moreover, here you can go diving near the 50-meter long wall which into the shipping channel near Havelock Island; explore Dixon's Pinnacle, covered with bright coral and big barrel sponges; and admire intricate rock formations at Snake Island.

Off Bangaram and Kadmat Islands, in Lakshadweep you can admire fabulous beauty of marine flora and fauna and explore the Princess Royal wreck, sunk in a battle more than two hundred years ago and lying at a depth of 32meters.