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Geo-Strategy Module - III

Security and Geo-Strategy
7.1.2 Demography & Culture

India is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. With more than 1.2
billion people it is the second largest populated country in the world, the first being
China. Its total population is more than that of USA and Russia put together and more
than the total population of the entire African continent. What are the advantages of
population from a military perspective?
Note
• Firstly, they provide the manpower requirement of all three services of Indian
military - the army, navy and air force along with the paramilitary forces. During
emergency situations such manpower potential acts as strong reserves for the
country.
• Secondly, they are also a source of economic activity of country for agricultural,
manufacturing and industrial production.
• Thirdly, India has a large concentration of very young population. Nearly 42

percent of India's population is below the age of 15 years and only 12 percent
of the population is aged 50 years and over. This is significant because young
population adds to the work force of the country and contributes to the increase
in economic development of the country.
The diversity of the country is another advantage for India because no other country in
the world exhibits such variety of speech, written language, religious and social customs
as India. The major religions of India are: Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. Besides
Hindus, Muslims and Christians, we have in our population Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists.
India is also home to large number of languages spoken with as many as 845 languages
and dialects.
However 22 major languages are recognized by the constitution of India. These
differences in religions, customs, languages and castes are because our people belong
to different racial groups. These variations in land and demographic resources are
used by humans in variety of ways to their advantage. Let us see what natural resources
does the country possess? The next few sections will explain them.

Intext Questions 7.1

1. What is meant by geo-strategy?
2. Name any two sub-fields of geography.

3. Name the physiographical divisions of India.
4. State the length of India's coastline.
5. Describe any two advantages of demographic resources.

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MILITARY STUDIES 59