South Asia

South Asia is the southern subregion of Asia. It is a place of rich geography and deep cultural ties. It includes countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, with Afghanistan sometimes included. This area is home to over two billion people, which is a quarter of all the people in the world, making it very crowded.

The lands of South Asia have seen some of the world's earliest civilisations, like the Indus Valley Civilisation. They have been shaped by many different cultures and religions over thousands of years. Major religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Islam, Christianity, and Sikhism all have deep roots here.

Today, South Asia is very important in the world. It has the largest numbers of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Jains, and Zoroastrians. The region works together through groups like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to help its countries grow and cooperate. With its mix of history, culture, and people, South Asia remains one of the most interesting parts of the world.

Definition

The definition of South Asia can be a little tricky because its borders are not always clear. Geographically, South Asia is a land that sits on the Indian Plate. It is surrounded by the Himalayas to the north, the Hindu Kush to the west, and the Arakanese to the east. To the south, it reaches into the Indian Ocean, bordered by the Arabian Sea to the southwest and the Bay of Bengal to the southeast.

Usually, South Asia includes Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Sometimes Afghanistan is also included, but this can change. Different groups and organizations might have slightly different ideas about what counts as South Asia.

History

Main article: Outline of South Asian history Main article: Timeline of South Asian history

The history of South Asia goes back over 75,000 years. One of the world's earliest civilizations, the Indus Valley Civilisation, lived here from about 3300 to 1300 BCE. After that came the Vedic period, when early religious ideas and states began.

Later, powerful empires like the Maurya Empire and the Gupta Empire rose. Major religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism spread.

In the medieval time, Muslim empires like the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire ruled much of the area.

Later, European powers, mainly the British, controlled South Asia. This time brought big changes. It ended with independence movements. In 1947, British rule stopped, and the countries of India, Pakistan, and later Bangladesh were formed. Since then, the area has grown and had some conflicts.

Geography

See also: Indian subcontinent § Geography

Further information: Geography of India, Geography of Pakistan, Geography of Afghanistan, Geography of Bangladesh, Geography of Bhutan, Geography of Sri Lanka, Geography of Nepal, and Geography of the Maldives

South Asia has many kinds of land, such as glaciers, rainforests, valleys, deserts, and grasslands. It is surrounded by water on three sides—the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean, and the Arabian Sea. The climate changes a lot, from tropical in the south to cold in the north, with monsoons bringing rain each year.

Most of South Asia sits on the Indian Plate, a large piece of Earth's crust that moved northward and pushed up the Himalayan range. This plate includes parts of many countries and many different landscapes. The weather changes with height and distance from the coast, creating many different climate zones. Some places are very dry, while others are very wet, and the north has cold winters and snow in the mountains.

Society

See also: South Asian ethnic groups

Population

The population of South Asia is about 1.938 billion, making it the most populated region in the world. It is a mixed society with many different language groups and religions. Social practices can vary a lot from one region to another.

Languages

Main article: Languages of South Asia

See also: Hindustani-speaking world

South Asia has many languages. These languages are often based on where people live, but they are shared across different religions. Muslims in places like Afghanistan and Pakistan often use the Arabic alphabet. In Bangladesh, people mainly use the Bengali script.

The largest language is Hindustani language, followed by Bengali, Telugu, Tamil, and others.

Religions

Main article: Religion in South Asia

Further information: Religion in Bangladesh, Religion in Bhutan, Religion in India, Religion in Nepal, Religion in Pakistan, and Religion in Sri Lanka

South Asia is home to many religions. It has the world's largest population of Hindus and a large number of Muslims. Other religions such as Buddhism, Sikhism, Christianity, and Jainism are also practiced. The region is known for its religious diversity.

Largest urban areas

South Asia has some of the world's most crowded cities. The region contains many very large cities.

Migration

See also: Immigration to Bangladesh, Immigration to India, and Immigration to Pakistan

People have moved into South Asia for thousands of years, shaping its demographics. Today, many people moving into South Asian countries come from other South Asian nations. For example, most migrants in India are from other South Asian countries.

Culture

Main article: Culture of South Asia

See also: Category:Culture of South Asia

South Asia has a rich and diverse culture. Many people enjoy sports, movies, music, and special foods. One of the most popular sports is cricket, which fans around the world love, especially in this area. There are also traditional games like kabaddi and kho-kho that people play and watch in competitions.

Main article: Music of South Asia

Economy

Main article: Economy of South Asia

Further information: Economy of Afghanistan, Economy of Bangladesh, Economy of Bhutan, Economy of India, Economy of the Maldives, Economy of Nepal, Economy of Pakistan, and Economy of Sri Lanka

South Asia has a large and growing economy. India is the biggest economy in the region. India’s economy is very big, worth about US$4.18 trillion, and it is growing quickly. Bangladesh is also growing fast.

Some parts of South Asia are much richer than others. But many people still live in poverty. India has helped many people move out of poverty in recent years.

Education

See also: History of education in the Indian subcontinent

Education in South Asia has many challenges because the countries are very different. In 2018, millions of children were not in school, and many who were in school did not learn basic skills like reading and math. Only a few students reached the needed skill level.

Schools in South Asia sometimes use strict teaching methods, and students may not always be treated fairly. Each country has its own education system. Some countries offer free education, while others charge fees. Large countries like India and Bangladesh have trouble giving enough resources to all their students. Smaller countries like Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Bhutan have better access to primary education but work on improving quality.

Girls often find it harder to get an education, but some countries have made progress in recent years. India has the largest higher education system in the region, with many students going to universities and colleges. Other countries have fewer students in higher education.

Health and nutrition

South Asia has many health and nutrition challenges. Many children in the region suffer from malnutrition. Rural areas are especially affected, with most people working in agriculture.

Countries like Nepal and Bangladesh have made progress in reducing hunger. Improving nutrition needs attention to education, women's status, and government policies.

Governance and politics

See also: List of legislatures in South Asia and List of countries by system of government

India is a secular federal parliamentary republic with the prime minister as head of government. India has kept its political system since 1950, changing only through elections. India leads the area in Democracy Index. It has a multi-party system.

Pakistan is a federal parliamentary Islamic republic. It has a multi-party system.

Sri Lanka is the oldest lasting democracy in Asia with a multi-party system.

Bangladesh is a parliamentary republic and a unitary state with a multi-party system.

Nepal became a secular democratic republic in 2008. The country has seen political instability with many changes in the Prime Minister of Nepal.

Afghanistan has been a unitary theocratic Islamic emirate since 2021.

Bhutan is a Buddhist state with a constitutional monarchy.

Maldives is a unitary presidential republic with Sunni Islam as the state religion.

See also: War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts, and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation

India has been the dominant geopolitical power in the region. Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are middle powers with large populations and economies that affect regional politics.