To find India on a world map:

1. Locate Asia.

2. India is a large country in southern Asia.

3. India has a long “tale” that sticks out into the Indian Ocean.

On this map, what color is

India?ORANGE

_______________________

Location: South Asia

Capital of India: New Delhi

Official Language: Hindi

Currency: Rupee

(34 rupees = 1 dollar)

How many rupees would I have

if I had 4 dollars?

Republic of

India is a large country in southern Asia. It is separated from the rest of Asia by the Himalayan Mountains. Because it is so big and cut off from the rest of the continent, it is called a subcontinent. To the south of India is the Indian Ocean.

India is the seventh largest country in the world. It has deserts, jungles, mountains, forests, and farms.

The major rivers are the Indus River and the Ganges River. Big cities include New Delhi, Calcutta, Bombay, and Bangalore.India has half as many states as the U.S. has. How many states are in India?

Exports: tea, clothing, jewelry, iron ore, leather

Imports: food, gems, iron and steel, chemicals

Main crops: rice, wheat, tea, sugar cane, spices

What are imports and exports?

Do we grow the same crops in Ohio?

Which of these goods do we use in Ohio?

________________________________________The top stripe is dark gold, the middle stripe is white, and the bottom stripe is green. The blue wheel in the middle is the Wheel of Life.

December to March ~~~~ Cold

April to May ~~~~ Very hot (Often over 100 degrees)

June to September ~~~~ Monsoon season

October to November ~~~ less rain

MONSOONS

Monsoons are huge rain storms that come in from the Indian Ocean. They bring enough rain to supply water for the whole year. These storms have strong winds. They can flood and destroy farms and houses. Some have even killed people.

Are there storms like these in the United States?

Long ago, India was ruled by Mogul emperors. Then the empire fell apart into smaller kingdoms, ruled by maharajas.

By the 1600’s, Europeans had come into India to trade for Indian spices, silks, cotton cloth, and tea.

In 1857, the British took control of India and ruled there until 1947. One very important man, Mohandas Gandhi helped India gain independence.

Gandhi practiced civil disobedience. That means that he would not do what the British wanted, but he was never violent.

At about the same time the pilgrims were landing at Plymouth Rock, the Taj Mahal was built. That was almost 400 years ago.

It took over ten years to build. More than twenty thousand people and one thousand elephants helped build it.

. . .but why was it built? Any ideas?

The Taj Mahal is in Agra near the capital of India.

What is the capital of India?

We love to watch movies in America. Hollywood is the biggest producer of films in the world, right?

WRONG! India produces about eight hundred movies a year. That’s even more than Hollywood. Indian families love to go to the movies just as much as we do.

Can you think of American movies or television shows that you have seen with Indian actors or actresses in them?

What kinds of animals do you think you would find in India?

Below is a list of animals that can be found in India:

Lions Deer Bears Rhinoceroses Snakes Elephants Camels Monkeys Tigers (National animal) Peacocks (National bird)Did any surprise you?

Many women in India wear beautiful saris. Their clothing is brightly colored. For special events, women wear saris with gold embroidery and sequins.

Men usually wear dhotis. They are loose pants, similar to pajamas. In big cities, men wear American style clothing.

Children wear jeans, T-shirts, and skirts at home. They usually have uniforms for school.

Indian women love to wear jewelry. They wear earrings, nose rings, bangles (bracelets), anklets, rings, necklaces, and even jewelry in their hair!

Can you think of anything that we have in the U.S. that came from India?

Meditation exercises; you can take these classes at the YMCA

YOGA

Hindi phrase meaning loose trousers

PAJAMAS

Game of skill played on a checkerboard with moveable pieces

CHESS

Expensive sweaters made from goat hair in a region of India

CASHMERE

This digit means nothing, but can greatly change the value of a number when added onto the end of a number

ZERO

A brand of clothing; also a game played while riding horses

POLO

Pitara for Kids - http:www.pitara.com This site contains books, stories, folk tales, and activities for children.

We Are India - http://weareindia.com/ This site contains photos and other links on culture, traditions, and art.

Welcome to India - http://www.welcometoindia.com/culture This site contains info on culture, music, food, travel and more.

History of India - http://www.historyofindia.com/home.html This site covers ancient, medieval, British, and modern history.

India for Kids – Snaith Primary School http://www.home.freeuk.net/elloughton13/India.htm This site shows a slideshow trip to India for children ages 7-9. With lots of great links, photos, stories, and activities, this site is highly recommended.