South Asia

:Southern Asia sometimes refers to all of Asia that was not part of the Soviet Union.

Related Topics:
Southern Asia - Soviet Union

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South Asia is often synonymous with the Indian subcontinent, and includes the following neighboring states:

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• India, Pakistan and Bangladesh; constituting the bulk of the subcontinent proper
• Himalayan States: Nepal and Bhutan
• Indian Ocean Island Nations - Sri Lanka, the Maldives

These countries are all members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

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Geographically, the Indian subcontinent would additionally include some disputed territory currently controlled by China, and Myanmar. It covers about 4,480,000 km² (1,729,738 mi²), or 10 percent of the Asian continent. However, its population accounts for about 40 percent of Asia. Some or all of Afghanistan is sometimes considered part of the region of South Asia because Afghanistan has shared many historical currents with the region, but is not located on the subcontinent.

Related Topics:
Disputed territory - China - Myanmar - Afghanistan

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South Asia: Nomenclature ►