Kids from India

• Continent: Southern Asia
• Climate: Varies; northern areas have winter snow, while elsewhere it is generally hot. The rainy season begins in June and lasts four to seven months, depending on location.
School:
• The school year begins in April in most of north and east India, and in June in most of south and west India.
• Barely half of children in India finish primary school. Dropout rates are higher for girls; only about 40% of adult women in India can read.
Play:
• Pachisi (Parcheesi) has been called India's “national game.” Kite flying is also a widespread passion.
• Hockey, cricket and soccer are very popular. Kabaddi, a complex, fast-paced team contact sport, is now played throughout Asia.
Family:
• The “joint family” system is a common tradition, in which the families of several brothers (usually) live together.
• Tens of millions of children in India—more than in any other country—work to help support their families.
Signature foods:
• Chapati, an unleavened bread that is cooked on a griddle until brown and bubbly, then spread with butter or oil
• India's famous chutneys—fresh or cooked relishes—are used at almost every meal. Nuts, chilies, fruits, herbs and spices are common chutney ingredients.
Interesting animals:
• The Indian rhinoceros, a solitary, single-horned animal that spends much of its time wallowing in mud
• The quick-moving pygmy hog, the world's smallest pig—weighing just 10 pounds
• Unique holiday: Diwali, the five-day autumn “festival of lights” that illuminates homes and temples throughout India with candles and oil lamps.
• Did you know? Two of the world's major religions, Hinduism and Buddhism, were founded in India. Today India also has significant populations of Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and Jains.

For more information, go to the Fact Monster page about India.