India is quite simply one of the most diverse nations on the planet; a wealth of monuments, world heritage sights, countless languages, religions and ethnic groups, a plethora of local textiles, handicrafts and cuisines, to a gamut of birds and wildlife. Add to this a unique topography ranging from the mountains of the Himalayas to the plains of the Deccan, the beaches of Goa, the deserts of Rajasthan and Gujarat; the waterways of Kerala to the tropical forests of Madhya Pradesh and the desert islands of the Andaman and Lakshadweep. One of the oldest civilizations on earth dating back to 5000 BC gives her a historical wealth which is immense.