Countries in South Asia

• India

• Afganistan

• Pakistan

• Nepal

• Bhutan

• Bangladesh

• Sri Lanka

Themes of the Region

• the Indian sub continent joined the eurasian plate nearly 60 million years ago

• management of water has been a longtime feature of South Asian life

• climate change puts more lives at risk than in any other world region

  • flood

  • earthquakes

  • glacial melting

  • sea level rise

  • water use and pollution

  • air pollution

• the impact of globalization varies between highly skilled and less skilled workers

• urbanization patterns differentiate between rich/middle class and the poor

• population growth is slowing as the demographic transition takes hold

• the regions modern history is rooted in colonialism

• India is the economically dominant country in the region

Landforms

• the subcontinent resulted from the collision of the Indian-Australian plate with eurasian plate

• the Himalayas range as the two plates push into each other

• The region is prone to earthquakes and tsunamis caused by undersea earthquakes

• Three rivers flow out of the mountains: The Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra

Culture

• Cultural and religious diversity is the beauty of south Asia

• this is also the birthplace of buddhism and many other spirituality

• religion has shaped the culture, food, dress, festivals and values

Urbanization and population

• about 35% if the population lives in urban areas

• five of the worlds 20 largest metropolitan areas are in south Asia

• two general patterns of urbanization that co exist in close proximity

• this region is the most populous of all the world regions

• the rate of growth is slowing as the region progresses through the demographic transition

• Birth rates are falling because of:

  • Rising incomes

  • urbanization

  • better access to health care

  • Women’s improved opportunities that delay childbearing

Subcontinents of India

When Britain granted India independence the territory it had ruled over was divided or partitioned into India and the new state of Pakistan (with east Pakistan later becoming Bangladesh )

15 million people were displaced and an estimated one million people died, India- Pakistan still fights in the border

More than 3 million Bangladeshis were killed in 1971 Independence war against Pakistan where India supported Bangladesh

• Kashmir

• Pakistan

• East Pakistan (Bangladesh)

• India

Bangladesh

• The country is crisscrossed by dense network of rivers including the Ganges and Brahmaputra which form the largest delta in the world

• The Sundarbans, a vast mangrove forest in the southwest Bangladesh, is home to the Bengal Tiger and numerous wildlife species

• While prone to monsoons and flooding the fertile plains of Bangladesh supports a significant agriculture sector

• It is one if the most vulnerable countries to climate changes

• Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh has a population of more than 20 million which has area of only 118 sq mile.

Nepal

• Oldest country in south Asia

• Very unique flag- two triangles represent the two major religions (Buddhism and Hinduism) and the two mountains…

Tourism in Nepal

• natural beauty and biodiversity

• 8/10 tallest mountains

• Zoological labyrinth

• Covers 0.03% of the world’s area (67 times smaller than the USA)

• 25th in the world and 11th in Asia in terms of biodiversity richness

• Tremendous cultural diversity

• 123 languages, 2 main religions, 142 ethnic groups

US-Nepal Relation

• Millennium challenge corporation

• United states foreign aid agency established in 2004

• Reducing global poverty through economic growth

• 46 countries of the world take part in this program

“High School Debate 1959” Video

• India, Ethiopia, UK, and Norway

• a lot of them agreed that everyone has prejudices, whether they realize it or not

• seeing a place as a whole rather than as parts (northern america and southern america)

• debate of “the educated man is the one free of prejudice” vs “an educated man is prone to prejudices”

Subregions of South Asia

Afganistan and Pakistan

• a history of many cultural influences and ethnic diversity today

• arid environments with scarce natural resources

• shaped by ongoing tectonic collisions between the Indian and Eurasian landmasses

• Primarily Muslim and rural but both countries have some large cities

• disruptions to economy and infrastructure due to conflict

• complex relationship with the West (and its aid and development packages)

Himalayan Country

• Northern border of south Asia

• three main zones

• overall very rural and low-density populations

• primarily Muslim in the west and Hindu and Buddhist mid region

• tremendous cultural diversity

• underlying changes in the last 20 years due to tourism

Northwest India

• stretches more than 1000 mi

• a key focus is utilizing available irrigation water

• Rajasthan had transformed India’s economic development through manufacturing and IT sector

• Punjab has provided nearly 2/3 of India’s food reserves and contribute to its high GDP

• India’s capital (New Delhi) is in the center of Northwest India (metropolitan area: 27 million)

• Uttar Pradesh is the most populous and second poorest states as well as a cultural and political center

Northeastern South Asia

• wet, tropical climate

• Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers and their basins and delta feature here

• West bengal is India’s most populous state

• Kolkata is a vibrant city of 16 million

• Far eastern India has river valley and mountainous uplands, and has traditionally been home to indigenous groups related to people of Burma, Tibet, and China

• Assam is Eastern India’s most populated and productive area

South India and Sri Lanka

• set apart form the rest of south Asia by its greater prosperity higher human development rating and more urbanized population

• this peninsular sub-region and island has two wet seasons and consistent year-round rainfall and growing seasons

• Bangalore and Chennai have rival economies and lead South Asia

• Kerala is a coastal state in far southwest India known for investment in social services and education, matriarchal systems, and long history of contact with the rest of the world through trade

• Sri Lanka is an island country off India’s southeastern coast

Central India

• Contains India’s last natural areas, as well as much of its industry

• The Narmada River flows across the subregion

• A site of some of India’s most significant environmental battles

• Gujarat accounts for 45% of the state’s GDP

• Mumbai has over 23 million inhabitants and exerts enormous economic and cultural influence throughout Central India

British Colonialism

• 1700s: European trading companies gained coastal footholds

• Britain destroyed indigenous industry to create a market for british products

• the principal company was the East India Company

• Subsequent British control 1830-1947

• Those who lost their livelihood became indentured servants in other colonies

Independence and Partition

• When Britain granted India independence , the territory it had ruled over was divided, or partitioned, into India and the new state of Pakistan (with east Pakistan later becoming Bangladesh)

• 15 million people were displaced and an estimated one million died, India-Pakistan still fights in the border

• More than 3 million Bangladeshis were killed in 1971 Independence war against Pakistan, where India supported Bangladesh

The Great Divide- occurred after the British left India after 300 years of occupying it, the subcontinent was partitioned into two independent nation states: Hindu-majority India and Muslim- majority Pakistan. Kick started one of the greatest migrations in human history as millions of muslims trekked to west and east Pakistan (the later now Bangladesh) while millions of Hindus and Sikhs headed in the opposite direction. Many hundreds of thousands never made it.

Division between the Hindu and Muslim groups-

Riot Image: “Riots targeted Muslim-owned business (left) while tagging Hindu- Owned business (right) with the Lotus symbol of the Hindu group”