Introduction to South East Asia

From thousands of  years ago until today, South Asia has hosted countless numbers of cultures, creating a land with diverse beliefs where modern concerns mesh with traditional values.

Comprising the nations of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan, South Asia encompasses a variety of geographical features. These mountains, deserts, and tropical climes have influenced both the history of the region and the lives of its people. 

The towering Himalayas cross the northern border of India and travel through Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. This mountain range is home to dozens of ethnic groups and for centuries has served as a natural defense to invaders. 

The flat plains of the THAR DESERT cover the western portions of India and are barren with the exception of oases, which house cultural and trade centers.

Torrential monsoons drench South Asia every summer, bringing life to the region along with potentially disastrous floods.

Facts about South Asian Countries:

India:

• Population: 1 billion (UN, 2004)

• Capital: New Delhi

• Area: 3.17m sq km (1.2m sq miles)

• Major languages: Hindi, English and 17 other official languages

• Major religions: Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism

• Life expectancy: 63 years (men), 65 years (women) (UN)

• Monetary unit: 1 Indian Rupee = 100 paise

• Main exports: Agricultural products, textile goods, gems and jewellery, software services and technology, engineering goods, chemicals, leather products

• GNI per capita: US $530 (World Bank, 2003)

Bangladesh:

• Population: 149.7 million (UN, 2004)

• Capital: Dhaka

• Area: 143,998 sq km (55,598 sq miles)

• Major language: Bengali

• Major religions: Islam, Hinduism

• Life expectancy: 61 years (men), 62 years (women) (UN)

• Monetary unit: 1 taka = 100 paisa

• Main exports: Garments, fish, jute goods, leather products

• GNI per capita: US $400 (World Bank, 2003)

The Maldives:

• Population: 328,000 (UN, 2004)

• Capital: Male

• Area: 298 sq km (115 sq miles)

• Major language: Divehi

• Major religion: Islam

• Life expectancy: 68 years (men), 67 years (women) (UN)

• Monetary unit: 1 rufiyaa = 100 laari

• Main exports: Fish, clothing

• GNI per capita: US $2,300 (World Bank, 2003)

Nepal :

• Population: 25.7 million (UN, 2004)

• Capital: Kathmandu

• Area: 147,181 sq km (56,827 sq miles)

• Major language: Nepali

• Major religions: Hinduism (official), Buddhism

• Life expectancy: 60 years (men), 60 years (women) (UN)

• Monetary unit: 1 Nepalese rupee = 100 paisa

• Main exports: Carpets, clothing, leather goods, jute goods, grain

• GNI per capita: US $240 (World Bank, 2003)

Sri Lanka:

• Population: 19.2 million (UN, 2004)

• Capital: Colombo (commercial), Sri Jayawardenepura (administrative)

• Area: 65,610 sq km (25,332 sq miles)

• Major languages: Sinhala, Tamil, English

• Major religions: Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity

• Life expectancy: 70 years (men), 76 years (women) (UN)

• Monetary unit: 1 Sri Lankan rupee = 100 cents

• Main exports: Clothing and textiles, tea, gems, rubber, coconuts

• GNI per capita: US $930 (World Bank, 2003)

Pakistan:

• Population: 157 million (UN, 2004)

• Capital: Islamabad

• Area: 796,095 sq km (307,374 sq miles) (excluding Pakistani-held parts of Kashmir)

• Major languages: Urdu (official), Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto, Balochi and English

• Major religion: Islam

• Life expectancy: 61 years (men), 61 years (women) (UN)

• Monetary unit: 1 Pakistani Rupee = 100 paisa

• Main exports: Textile products, rice, cotton, leather goods

• GNI per capita: US $470 (World Bank, 2003)

Afghanistan:

• Population: 24.9 million (UN, 2004)

• Capital: Kabul

• Area: 652,225 sq km (251,773 sq miles)

• Major language: Pashto, Dari (Persian)

• Major religion: Islam

• Life expectancy: 43 years (men), 43 years (women) (UN)

• Monetary unit: 1 Afghani = 100 puls

• Main exports: Fruit and nuts, carpets, wool, opium

• GNI per capita: n/a

Bhutan:

• Population: 2.3m (UN, 2004; some estimates are significantly lower)

• Capital: Thimphu

• Area: 38,364 sq km (14,812 sq miles)

• Major language: Dzongkha (official)

• Major religions: Buddhism (official), Hinduism

• Life expectancy: 62 years (men), 64 years (women) (UN)

• Monetary unit: 1 ngultrum = 100 chetrum

• Main exports: Electricity, timber, cement, agricultural products, handicrafts

• GNI per capita: US $660 (World Bank, 2003)

Religion is more than just a set of beliefs in South Asia — it is a way of life. Each of the major religions has guidelines for the lives of its followers, including regulations for diet, behavior, and dress.  

In the following a brief description of events with reference to Muslims coming to Indo-Pak (India & Pakistan) and sattling here is given. The source of this imformation is K. Alis Book on History of Indo-Pakistan.