1. TEN KEYS TO UNDERSTANDING SOUTH ASIA

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

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

4. 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.

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

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

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

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

9. Today India is the world’s largest democracy.

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

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