South Asia An Introduction

Countries  India  Nepal  Bangladesh  Sri Lanka  Pakistan  Bhutan  Maldives

India  1/3 size of United States  2 nd most populated country (over 1 billion)  Life expectancy (M-67, F-73)  Main Religions-Hindu, Islam, Christianity, Sikh  Natural Hazards-Monsoons, Earthquakes, Typhoons  Government- Federal Republic

Pakistan  Slightly smaller than California  Very Dangerous country  Life Expectancy-Male-63, Female-66  Religion- 95% Islam  Natural Hazards- Earthquakes; Flooding in Indus Valley  Government-Federal Republic

Sri Lanka  Slightly larger than West Virginia  Life Expectancy: Males-73; Females-77  Religion- Buddhist 69.1%, Muslim 7.6%, Hindu 7.1%, Christian 6.2%  Natural Hazards-Tsunami, cyclones, tornados  Government-Republic

Bangladesh  Slightly smaller than Iowa  Life Expectancy-Male-58; Female-63  Religion-Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1%  Natural Hazards-droughts and cyclones  Government-Parliamentary Democracy

Bhutan  ½ the size of Indiana  Thimphu is the only capital city in the world without a traffic light!  Life Expectancy-Male-65; Female 67  Religion-Buddhist 75%, Hinduism 25%  Natural Hazards-violent storms from the Himalayas; frequent landslides during the rainy season  Government-Constitutional Monarchy

Nepal  Slightly larger than Arkansas  Life Expectancy- Male- 64; Female-67  Religion-Hindu 80.6%, Buddhist 10.7%, Muslim 4.2% (only official Hindu state in the world)  Natural Hazards-severe thunderstorms; flooding; landslides  Government-federal democratic republic

Maldives  Almost 2X the size of Washington DC  Life Expectancy- Male- 72; Female-77  Religion- Sunni Muslim  Natural Hazards-low level of islands makes them sensitive to sea level rise  Government-republic