South Asia Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
South Asia is a subregion of Asia comprising the modern states of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives. It covers about 4,480,000 km², or 10 percent of the continent and is also known as the Indian subcontinent. Parts or the whole of Afghanistan is sometimes considered part of South Asia
Subregions of South Asia include:
- Himalayan States - Northern India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh
- Indian Ocean Island Nations - Sri Lanka, the Maldives
- Southern India, Pakistan
The region has a long history. Ancient civilisations developed in the Indus River Valley. The region was at its most prosperous before the 17th century, when the Mughal Empire held sway in the north; European colonialism lead to a new conquering of the region, by Portugal and Holland, and later Britain and to a lesser degree France. Most of the region gained independence from Europe in the late 1940s.
The concept of "South Asia" is useful in helping refer to the countries of the region as a group. Together with the term ("The Subcontinent"), the descriptor can be useful when discussing issues that affect the common history, culture, etc. of the countries. Citizens of South Asian countries besides India can sometimes be offended by the use of "India" or "Indian" in relation to them or their national, and some times even historial and cultural, origins.
- See also: History of South Asia
Southern Asia sometimes refers to all of Asia that was not part of the Soviet Union.
This is an Article on South Asia. Page Contains Information, Facts Details or Explanation Guide About South Asia Other subregions of Asia