About India (Host Country)
India is a land of vibrant diversity, where every corner tells a unique story. The country boasts incredible ethnic diversity, with people from different backgrounds, traditions, and customs living together. Its linguistic diversity is equally remarkable, with over 2,000 languages spoken across the country. From the towering Himalayas to lush tropical forests, hot and cold deserts, island and marine ecosystems, India’s biogeography offers stunning contrasts, with every region having its own natural beauty. The nation’s religious diversity is equally rich shaping the lives of millions. This blend of culture, language, religion, and nature makes India truly one of a kind.
The 18th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophyiscs will be hosted in Mumbai (formerly, Bombay), the capital of the state of Maharashtra in India. Mumbai lies on the west coast of India and is blessed with a natural harbour that has contributed in a major way to the growth of the city as the country’s financial hub. Here the medieval and modern co-exist; with a blend of Gothic, Victorian, Art Deco, and contemporary architectural styles. Many buildings, structures and historical monuments still remain from the British era.
People from all parts of India have migrated here over the years to make Mumbai a vibrant, multicultural and cosmopolitan city. Mumbai is home to some of India’s premier scientific institutes and academic institutes like Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), University of Mumbai (MU) and Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS). Important financial institutions such as the Reserve Bank of India, the Bombay Stock Exchange, have their headquarters in Mumbai. Mumbai also has the hugely popular Hindi film and television industry- Bollywood.
The city’s business opportunities and good educational institutes attract people from all over India, making it a melting pot of many communities and cultures. Public transport systems in Mumbai include the Mumbai Suburban Railway, Monorail, Metro, Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) buses, taxis, auto rickshaws and ferries. The trains and the buses are the backbone of the city carrying more than 12 million passengers every day!