Population: 1,000,848,550 people ( July 1999)

Urban Population: 26%

Population Density: 273 persons per square km.

Agriculture: Sugar Cane, Rice, Wheat, Tea, Cotton, Jute, Vegetables, Melons, Sorghum, Millet, Coffee, Cashews, Spices, and Livestock.

Fishing

Shrimps and prawns, croakers, Indian oil sardines, Bombay ducks, anchovies, Indian mackerel, marine catfish

Mining

Iron ore, coal, bauxite, manganese, mica, dolomite, copper, petroleum, natural gas, chromium, lead, limestone, phosphate rock, zinc, gold, silver

Manufacturing

Textiles, iron and steel, processed agricultural products, machinery, transportation equipment, nonferrous metals, fertilizer, refined petroleum, chemicals, computer software

Employment Breakdown

67% Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing 20% Services 13% Industry

Major Exports

Gems and jewelry, engineering goods, garments, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, cotton yarn and fabrics, leather and leather goods, marine products, iron ore, tea, vegetables and fruit, petroleum products, handmade carpets

Major Imports

Petroleum and petroleum products, nonelectric machinery, precious and semiprecious stones, inorganic chemicals, iron and steel, fertilizers, electrical machinery, resins and plastics

Major Trading Partners

United States, Japan, Germany, Commonwealth of Independent States, Great Britain, Belgium and Luxembourg, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia

By Pradeep Kanakarajan and Kumar Periasamy