12 Fun Facts About India

Updated May 14, 2025 | 6 min read
Quintin Willekens
WRITTEN BY
Quintin Willekens

We gathered 12 fun facts about India, highlighting the fact that India is the most vegetarian country in the world and produces 75 out of 109 recognized spice varieties.

I first visited India as an experienced backpacker and quickly learned two important things.

First, budget hostels in India differ significantly from those in Europe. Second, the friendliest people can be the ones to watch out for.

Visiting India was a transformative travel experience that taught me a lot about the country and myself. Here are some key facts about India to get us started: 

Key Facts About India Details
Population 1,462,083,447
Official Languages Hindi, English
Currency Rupee
Capital New Delhi
Area 1,269,219 sq mi (3,287,263 sq km)
Main Religion Hinduism (roughly 80% of the population)

Let’s explore more fun facts about India to inspire your next transformative trip abroad!

12 Fun Facts About India

Indian Flag Icon for Fun Facts About India Table of Contents header

  1. India is the Bengal tiger capital of the world with 60% of the wild tiger population
  2. India is the most populous country in the world
  3. Got milk? India is the world’s largest producer of milk
  4. India is the most vegetarian country in South Asia (and the world)
  5. India is the Spice Powerhouse of the World
  6. The Kumbh Mela Festival in Northern India is the largest religious gathering in the world
  7. India is the wettest inhabited place on earth
  8. There are 43 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India
  9. India has no official national language
  10. Frog weddings occur in several Indian states. They appease the rain gods during times of drought
  11. British rule began in 1757 and ended in 1947
  12. India’s ancient yoga legacy predates Western fitness trends

1. India is the Bengal tiger capital of the world with 60% of the wild tiger population

India has 3,167 wild tigers, the highest number in any country. Despite past tiger population declines due to hunting and habitat loss, India’s strict wildlife protection laws and conservation programs have helped tigers rebound in recent years. 

Today, India remains the best place on Earth to witness Bengal tigers, India’s national animal, thriving in their natural habitat.

Remaining Wild Tigers Worldwide

  • Total – 5,357
  • India – 3,167
  • Russia – 750
  • Indonesia – 400
  • Nepal – 355
  • Thailand – 189
  • Bhutan – 151
  • Malaysia – 150
  • Bangladesh – 146
  • Myanmar – 22
  • China – 20
  • Vietnam – 5
  • Laos – 2

2. India is the most populous country in the world

As of February 26th, 2025, India’s population is approximately 1.419 billion, while China’s has declined to about 1.407 billion. India’s fertility rate has declined to around 2.0 births per woman, below the replacement level of 2.1.

Alongside its population, India’s economy is growing rapidly, becoming one of the world’s leading markets.

Learn More About Exploring Nepal & India with Us

3. Got milk? India is the world’s largest producer of milk

Cow standing in the doorway of a rustic brick structure.

A cow in India stands calmly, ready for milking.

India produces over 200 million tons of milk each year, making it the world’s largest producer of cow’s milk.

India has the largest population of dairy animals, including cows and water buffaloes. Water buffaloes contribute nearly 50% of the total milk production.

4. India is the most vegetarian country in South Asia (and the world)

India has the highest number of vegetarians globally. Estimates suggest 30-40% of Indians are vegetarian, though regional variations exist.

India is deeply spiritual, even though it has no official religion. More than 80 percent of Indians are Hindu and religious beliefs in Hinduism and Buddhism promote non-violence and respect for living beings. The Hindu religion’s reverence for cows further reinforces vegetarianism. 

5. India is the Spice Powerhouse of the World

India produces 75 out of 109 recognized spice varieties, making it the global leader in spice production. Fresh spice adds the punch for which Indian food is known and loved.

India’s terrain varies widely, from the Thar Desert in the west to jungles in the northeast. A fertile area called the Ganges Plain covers much of northern India. The range of climates from tropical to sub-tropical to temperate allows almost all spices to grow in India. The Himalayas – the world’s highest mountain range – rise in the north of the country.

6. The Kumbh Mela Festival in Northern India is the largest religious gathering in the world

The Kumbh Mela Festival in Northern India attracts over 100 million people, making it the most significant religious gathering in the world. 

This Hindu festival occurs 4 times over the course of 12 years, drawing pilgrims and devotees to sacred rivers for ritual baths to cleanse sins and grant salvation. 

7. India is the wettest inhabited place on earth

Mawsynram is a town in Meghalaya, India, known as the wettest place on Earth. The town receives 467.4 inches of rain annually according to World Atlas. 

The nearby city of Cherrapunji holds the Guinness World Record for the highest annual rainfall ever measured, with over 1,000 inches in a single year.

8. There are 43 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

As of February 2025, India has 43 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, representing its rich history and diverse cultures. The Grand Taj Mahal is India’s most famous UNESCO site, while places like Jaipur’s Pink City, Hampi’s ruins, and Kaziranga National Park highlight the country’s heritage.

Each site preserves India’s legacy and attracts millions of visitors worldwide.

The Grand Taj Mahal is only one of many historical and cultural sites around the country that attract visitors from around the world.

9. India has no official national language

India has 265 million English speakers, making it the second-largest English-speaking country after the United States. While it has no national language, the country’s constitution recognizes Hindi and English as the languages for government use.

10. “Frog weddings are held in several Indian states to appease rain gods during times of drought.

Indian states, including Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, and Varanasi, hold frog weddings to appease the rain gods during droughts. 

The ceremony involves dressing male and female frogs in miniature wedding attire and performing rituals, followed by a full-sized feast. 

Varanasi has more claim to fame as the spiritual capital of India and one of the oldest cities in India, dating back to 1800 BC. Surprisingly, continuous habitation for nearly 4,000 years only gets you into the top 30 of the oldest cities in the entire world. Here’s a list of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world:

11. British rule began in 1757 and ended in 1947

In 1757, the British East India Company gained control over Bengal, expanding its dominance over India through wars and annexations. In 1858, Britain gained control directly with the dissolution of the East India Company through the Government of India Act.

12. India’s ancient yoga legacy predates Western fitness trends

Before the Western world accepted yoga as a fitness practice, the seventh largest country in the world, India, had cultivated it for thousands of years as a profound spiritual discipline aimed at uniting mind, body, and soul.

The holistic wellness approach came from Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, with early references appearing in the Rigveda in approximately 1500 BCE.

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About the Author
Quintin Willekens
Senior Associate

Quintin Willekens is a cross-cultural education and sustainable travel expert with first-hand experience in 20+ countries and eight years in South Korea. Holding a Business Sustainability degree (Summa Cum Laude, Arizona State University), he applies sustainable development principles to international education and travel. With three years as an educator across K-12 and university levels, he guides students and families on cross-border education, visas, and safety. Quintin develops cross-cultural training programs and contributes to international tourism platforms, offering trusted guidance on student mobility, responsible travel, and global study preparation.