Every country on the planet is given a separate country code for the purpose of dialing that exists in the large expanse of worldwide telecommunications. These codes, often found prefixed with a plus sign (+), play a crucial role in connecting individuals across borders. Among them, India stands out with its distinctive country code, +91. Have you ever wondered why India has +91 in phone numbers? Let’s delve into the historical, technical, and practical reasons behind this unique designation.
What Country Codes?
Before going into the country code for India, let’s understand what these numerical prefixes mean. Country codes are part of the international dialing system established by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). They are used to indicate the country to which a call should be routed. This system ensures efficient global communication by providing a standardized way to dial international numbers.
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History:
The story of how India got the +91 country code goes way back in time to the very early stages of telecommunication. Countries had each been assigned a unique numerical identifier when the ITU first introduced country codes in the 1960s. India, being one of the largest and most populous countries in the world had to have a unique code in order to have assured global connectivity.
Technical Considerations:
The assignment of country codes is not arbitrary. It involves technical considerations to ensure seamless connectivity. The ITU allocates country codes based on various factors, including population size, telecommunications infrastructure, and geographical location. India’s code, +91, was chosen to fit into the global numbering plan while avoiding conflicts with existing codes.
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Practical Implications:
Having a unique country code brings several practical benefits. Firstly, it allows for efficient routing of international calls to India, ensuring that they reach the intended recipients without confusion. Secondly, it helps India to maintain its identity in the global telecommunications network, promoting a sense of national pride and recognition. Lastly, it simplifies the process of dialing Indian numbers for both domestic and international callers.
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List of Country Telephone Codes:
Here is a list of country telephone codes for some selected countries:
- Afghanistan: +93
- Albania: +355
- Algeria: +213
- American Samoa: +1-684
- Andorra: +376
- Angola: +244
- Anguilla: +1-264
- Antarctica: +672
- Antigua and Barbuda: +1-268
- Argentina: +54
- Armenia: +374
- Aruba: +297
- Australia: +61
- Austria: +43
- Azerbaijan: +994
- Bahamas: +1-242
- Bahrain: +973
- Bangladesh: +880
- Barbados: +1-246
- Belarus: +375
- Belgium: +32
- Belize: +501
- Benin: +229
- Bermuda: +1-441
- Bhutan: +975
- Bolivia: +591
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: +387
- Botswana: +267
- Brazil: +55
- British Indian Ocean Territory: +246
- British Virgin Islands: +1-284
- Brunei: +673
- Bulgaria: +359
- Burkina Faso: +226
- Burundi: +257
- Cambodia: +855
- Cameroon: +237
- Canada: +1
- Cape Verde: +238
- Cayman Islands: +1-345
- Central African Republic: +236
- Chad: +235
- Chile: +56
- China: +86
- Christmas Island: +61
- Cocos Islands: +61
- Colombia: +57
- Comoros: +269
- Cook Islands: +682
- Costa Rica: +506
- Croatia: +385
- Cuba: +53
- Curacao: +599
- Cyprus: +357
- Czech Republic: +420
- Democratic Republic of the Congo: +243
- Denmark: +45
- Djibouti: +253
- Dominica: +1-767
- Dominican Republic: +1-809, +1-829, +1-849
- East Timor: +670
- Ecuador: +593
- Egypt: +20
- El Salvador: +503
- Equatorial Guinea: +240
- Eritrea: +291
- Estonia: +372
- Eswatini: +268
- Ethiopia: +251
- Falkland Islands: +500
- Faroe Islands: +298
- Fiji: +679
- Finland: +358
- France: +33
- French Polynesia: +689
- Gabon: +241
- Gambia: +220
- Georgia: +995
- Germany: +49
- Ghana: +233
- Gibraltar: +350
- Greece: +30
- Greenland: +299
- Grenada: +1-473
- Guam: +1-671
- Guatemala: +502
- Guernsey: +44-1481
- Guinea: +224
- Guinea-Bissau: +245
- Guyana: +592
- Haiti: +509
- Honduras: +504
- Hong Kong: +852
- Hungary: +36
- Iceland: +354
- India: +91
- Indonesia: +62
- Iran: +98
- Iraq: +964
- Ireland: +353
- Isle of Man: +44
- Israel: +972
- Italy: +39
- Jamaica: +1
- Japan: +81
- Jersey: +44
- Jordan: +962
- Kazakhstan: +7
- Kenya: +254
- Kiribati: +686
- Kosovo: +383
- Kuwait: +965
- Kyrgyzstan: +996
- Laos: +856
- Latvia: +371
- Lebanon: +961
- Lesotho: +266
- Liberia: +231
- Libya: +218
- Liechtenstein: +423
- Lithuania: +370
- Luxembourg: +352
- Macao: +853
- Madagascar: +261
- Malawi: +265
- Malaysia: +60
- Maldives: +960
- Mali: +223
- Malta: +356
- Marshall Islands: +692
- Martinique: +596
- Mauritania: +222
- Mauritius: +230
- Mayotte: +262
- Mexico: +52
- Micronesia: +691
- Moldova: +373
- Monaco: +377
- Mongolia: +976
- Montenegro: +382
- Montserrat: +1
- Morocco: +212
- Mozambique: +258
- Myanmar (Burma): +95
- Namibia: +264
- Nauru: +674
- Nepal: +977
- Netherlands: +31
- New Caledonia: +687
- New Zealand: +64
- Nicaragua: +505
- Niger: +227
- Nigeria: +234
- Niue: +683
- Norfolk Island: +672
- North Korea: +850
- North Macedonia: +389
- Northern Mariana Islands: +1
- Norway: +47
- Oman: +968
- Pakistan: +92
- Palau: +680
- Palestine: +970
- Panama: +507
- Papua New Guinea: +675
- Paraguay: +595
- Peru: +51
- Philippines: +63
- Pitcairn Islands: +64
- Poland: +48
- Portugal: +351
- Puerto Rico: +1
- Qatar: +974
- Republic of the Congo: +242
- Réunion: +262
- Romania: +40
- Russia: +7
- Rwanda: +250
- Saint Barthélemy: +590
- Saint Helena: +290
- Saint Kitts and Nevis: +1
- Saint Lucia: +1
- Saint Martin: +590
- Saint Pierre and Miquelon: +508
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: +1
- Samoa: +685
- San Marino: +378
- São Tomé and Príncipe: +239
- Saudi Arabia: +966
- Senegal: +221
- Serbia: +381
- Seychelles: +248
- Sierra Leone: +232
- Singapore: +65
- Sint Maarten: +1
- Slovakia: +421
- Slovenia: +386
- Solomon Islands: +677
- Somalia: +252
- South Africa: +27
- South Korea: +82
- South Sudan: +211
- Spain: +34
- Sri Lanka: +94
- Sudan: +249
- Suriname: +597
- Svalbard and Jan Mayen: +47
- Sweden: +46
- Switzerland: +41
- Syria: +963
- Taiwan: +886
- Tajikistan: +992
- Tanzania: +255
- Thailand: +66
- Timor-Leste: +670
- Togo: +228
- Tokelau: +690
- Tonga: +676
- Trinidad and Tobago: +1
- Tunisia: +216
- Turkey: +90
- Turkmenistan: +993
- Turks and Caicos Islands: +1
- Tuvalu: +688
- U.S. Virgin Islands: +1
- Uganda: +256
- Ukraine: +380
- United Arab Emirates: +971
- United Kingdom: +44
- United States: +1
- Uruguay: +598
- Uzbekistan: +998
- Vanuatu: +678
- Vatican City: +379
- Venezuela: +58
- Vietnam: +84
- Wallis and Futuna: +681
- Western Sahara: +212
- Yemen: +967
- Zambia: +260
- Zimbabwe: +263
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Wrap-Up: Why India Has +91
The presence of +91 in Indian phone numbers is not merely a random assortment of digits; it is a symbol of India’s integration into the global telecommunications network. From its historical roots to its practical implications, the country code +91 serves as a testament to India’s standing in the world of communication. So the next time you dial a number starting with +91, remember the rich history and technical considerations behind those digits. It’s more than just a code; it’s a connection to one of the world’s most vibrant and dynamic countries.
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