TEN KEYS TO UNDERSTANDING SOUTH ASIA

South Asia is clearly defined by natural boundaries— mountains, deserts, and oceans.

South Asia is half the size of the United States but has four times more people.

More than a billion people live in South Asia and population is growing rapidly. Population growth, inefficient farming and conflicting cultures are major obstacles to progress. India’s population reached a billion in 1999.

Over half of South Asians farm for a living. Most are subsistence farmers who live in crowded villages.

After Sub Saharan Africa, South Asia is the poorest region in the world in terms of income, education, diet and health.

Indian civilization, which is over 3000 years old, is based on Hinduism and the caste system.

Hinduism, Islam, and British colonialism are the major cultures that have influenced South Asia.

Today India is the world’s largest democracy.

There is great conflict between different political, religious, language and ethnic groups.

Religion remains a powerful force with all religions showing tendencies toward fundamentalism and nationalism.