World Regional Geography People, Places and Globalization Chapter 9 South Asia

Chapter South Asia Identifying the Boundaries Of the world seven continents , Asia is the largest . Its physical landscapes , political units , and ethnic groups are both and many . Besides Russia , Southwest Asia , and Central Asia , which have been addressed in previous lessons , Asian regions include South Asia , East Asia , and Southeast Asia . South Asia extends south from the main part of the continent to the Indian Ocean . The principal boundaries of South Asia are the Indian Ocean , the , and Afghanistan . The Arabian Sea borders Pakistan and India to the west , and the Bay of Bengal borders India and to the east . The western boundary is the desert region where Pakistan shares a border with Iran . The realm was the birthplace of two of the world great religions , and Buddhism , but there are also immense Muslim populations and large groups of followers of Various other religions as well . Islam , and Buddhism are the top three religions of South Asia . While Pakistan and Iran are both Islamic republics , each represents a significant branch of that faith Iran is predominantly , and Pakistan is mostly . Religious differences are also evident on the eastern border of the realm , where and India share a border with . is mainly a Muslim country , while most in India align themselves with . In , most follow Buddhist traditions . In addition , is a major religion in the Punjab region , which is located on India northern border with Pakistan . Figure Main Features of South Asia 731

Chapter South Asia 732 Arabian Sea mom , senses 7415 Updated from map courtesy at of Texas Libraries . The countries of South Asia include Sri , India , Nepal , Pakistan , and the Maldives . The , separating South Asia from East Asia along the border of China autonomous region of Tibet , are the highest mountains in the world and the dominant physical feature of the northern rim of South Asia . Other countries that share the include Nepal , India , and Pakistan . Farther north along the Himalayan range , the traditional region of Kashmir is divided between India , Pakistan , and China . On the opposite side of the are two island countries off the coast of southern India . The first is Sri , a large tropical island off India southeast coast , and the other is the Republic of Maldives , an archipelago ( group of islands ) off the southwest coast of India . Maldives comprises almost islands that barely rise above sea level the highest elevation is merely seven feet , seven inches . Only about two hundred islands in the Maldives are inhabited .

733 World Regional Geography The balancing of natural capital and population growth is and will remain a primary issue in the realm future . South Asia is highly populated , with about billion people representing a wide range of ethnic and cultural groups . The diverse population has been brought together into political units that have roots in the colonial past , primarily under Great Britain . British colonialism had a significant impact on the realm its term effects include political divisions and conflicts in places such as Kashmir and Sri . Current forces are compelling South Asian countries to establish a trade network and institute economic policies among themselves . South Asia is not one of the three main economic core areas of the world however , it is emerging to compete in the world marketplace . Some would call India a part of the semiperiphery , which means it is not actually in the core or in the periphery but displays qualities of both . All the same , India remains the dominant country of South Asia and shares either a physical boundary or a marine boundary with all the other countries in the realm . All countries north of Afghanistan were once part of the former Soviet Union . During the Cold War , the South Asian countries were in the shadow of the superpowers and had to engage in diplomacy to balance their relationships between the Soviet Union and the United States . Communist China is an emerging economic power and has used Tibet as a buffer state with its rival , India . Since the collapse of the Soviet Union , Russia has been working to reestablish itself in the global economy . Like India , Russia portrays qualities of the semiperiphery . The United States has had a major impact on the affairs of the South Asian realm , even though it is physically located on the other side of the world . The United States has been at war in neighboring Afghanistan since 2001 and has also been a major economic trading partner with the countries of South Asia . Complicating the situation , the United States has developed an extensive trade relationship with neighboring China . Economic advancements and global trade have catapulted the countries of South Asia onto the world stage .

the Realm Learning Objectives . Summarize the realm physical geography . Identify each country main features and physical attributes and locate the realm main river systems . Understand the dynamics of the monsoon and how it affects human activities . Outline the early civilizations of South Asia and learn how they gave rise to the early human development patterns that have shaped the realm . Describe how European colonialism impacted the realm . Learn about the basic demographic trends the realm is experiencing . Understand how rapid population growth is a primary concern for the countries of South Asia . The Physical Geography The landmass of South Asia was formed by the Indian Plate colliding with the Eurasian Plate . This action started about seventy million years ago and gave rise to the highest mountain ranges in the world . Most of the South Asian landmass is formed from the land in the original Indian Plate . Pressure from tectonic action against the plates causes the to rise in elevation by as much as one to five millimeters per year . Destructive earthquakes and tremors are frequent in this seismically active realm . The great size of the has intensely the beliefs and traditions of the people in the realm . Some of the mountains are considered sacred to certain religions that exist here . 734

735 World Regional Geography Figure Trekking Trail on the Way to . Everest in the of Northern Nepal . Everest is the highest peak at feet . The are the highest chain in the world and create a natural border between Asia and China . Steve Hicks The up in one picture ! BY . The Himalayan Mountains dominate the physical landscape in the northern region of South Asia . Everest is the tallest peak in the world , at feet . Three key rivers cross South Asia , all originating from the . The River , which has been a center of human civilization for thousands of years , starts in Tibet and through the center of Pakistan . The Ganges River flows through northern India , creating a core region of the country . The River flows through Tibet and then enters India from the east , where it meets up with the Ganges in to into the Bay of Bengal . While the northern part of this region includes some of the highest elevations in the world , the Maldives in the south has some of the lowest elevations , some barely above sea level . The coastal regions in also have low elevations . When the seasonal reversal of winds called the monsoon arrives every year , there is heavy flooding and its effect on the infrastructure of the region is disastrous . The extensive Thar Desert in western India and parts of Pakistan , on the other hand , does not receive monsoon rains . In fact , much of southwest region called dry , with desert conditions . The mountains on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan extend through Kashmir and then meet up with the high ranges of the . The create a natural barrier between India and China , with the kingdoms of Nepal and acting as buffer states with Tibet . Farther south along the east and west coasts of India are shorter mountain ranges called . The Western reach as high as eight thousand feet , but average around three thousand feet . These are home to an extensive range of biodiversity . The Eastern are not as high as the Western , but have similar physical qualities . The provide a habitat for

Introducing the Realm 736 a wide range of animals and are also home to large coffee and tea estates . The Plateau lies between the Eastern and Western . The Central Indian Plateau and the Plateau are located in the central parts of India , north of the two Ghat ranges . The monsoon rains ensure that an average of about inches of rain per year falls on the Plateau , which has a tiger reserve and is also a refuge for Asian elephants . The Monsoon A monsoon is a seasonal reversal of winds that is associated with heavy rains . The summer monsoon falling between June and the rivers and streams of South Asia and provide the water needed for agricultural production . In the summer , the continent heats up , with the Thar Desert fueling the system . The rising hot air creates a vacuum that pulls in warm moist air from the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean . This action shifts clouds over the land , where the water is precipitated out in the form of rain . Figure The Monsoon System in South Asia

737 World Regional Geography Rain Shadow River River Summer Monsoon June to September Commons I public domain . The monsoon rains bring moisture to South Asia right up to the . As clouds rise in elevation in the mountains , the water vapor condenses in the form of rain or snow and feeds the streams and basins that into the major rivers , such as the , Ganges , and . The Western creates a similar system in the south along the west coast of India . Parts of and eastern India receive as much as six feet of rain during the monsoon season , and some areas experience severe flooding . The places are along the coast of the Bay of Bengal , such as in . There is less danger of flooding in western India and Pakistan , because by the time the rain clouds have moved across India they have lost their moisture . Desert conditions are evident in the west , near the Pakistan border in the great Thar Desert . On average , fewer than ten inches of rain fall per year in this massive desert . On the northern rim of the region , the height of the restricts the warm moist monsoon air from moving across the mountain range . The act as a precipitation barrier and create a strong rain shadow effect for Tibet and Western China . The monsoon is responsible for much of the rainfall in South Asia . By October , the system has run its course and the monsoon season is generally over . In the winter , the cold , dry

Introducing the Realm 738 air above the Asian continent blows to the south , and the winter monsoon is characterized by cool , dry winds coming from the north . South Asia experiences a dry season during the winter months . A similar pattern of rainy summer season and dry winter season is found in other parts of the world , such as southern China and some of Southeast Asia . A final note about the monsoons small parts of South Asia , such as Sri and southeastern India , experience a rainy winter monsoon as well as a rainy summer monsoon . In their case , the winter monsoon winds that come down from the north have a chance to pick up moisture from the Bay of Bengal before depositing it on their shores . Early Civilizations The Indian subcontinent has a long history of human occupation , and is an area where cities independently developed and civilization emerged . The earliest civilization on the subcontinent was the Valley Civilization , in existence from about 3300 to 1500 . This Bronze Age civilization started as a series of small villages that became linked in a wider regional network . Urban centers developed into various religious and trade networks that spanned as far as Central Asia , Southwest Asia , and , perhaps , Egypt . The civilization is known for its planned structures . The cities and villages of the urban phases were planned with major streets going and . It had a system of drains that channeled waste water outside the city . Additionally , this civilization had a homogeneous material culture . Its artifacts of pottery and metallurgy all had a very similar style that was spread over a vast land area , a fact that aided in the recognition of the expanse of the culture . Invasions by outsiders have the potential effect of bringing with them an influx of new ideas , concepts , and technology . Likewise , the Valley Civilization no doubt had an impact on the region that it encompassed . Little is known of the historical events of earlier times . Some of the evidence we rely on today to discern historical events is gleaned from language , religion , and ethnicity . Significant to South Asia is the presence of languages . It is presumed that these languages were brought to the region by immigrants from the west , where these languages were dominant . Aryans from Persia and other cultures might have diffused languages such as Hindi to South Asia , which later may have led to Hindi , for example , becoming the lingua franca of the region . The northern plains of South Asia , which extend through the Ganges River valley over to the River valley of Pakistan , were fertile grounds for a number of empires that controlled the region throughout history . After the decline of the Valley Civilization , various phases of Iron Age traditions emerged . Most of this Iron Age culture is defined by the presence of iron metallurgy and distinctive characteristics of ceramics .

739 World Regional Geography The Empire existed between 322 and 185 and was one of the most extensive and powerful political and military empires in ancient India . This empire was founded by in 322 , who began to extend his regime westward , easily conquering areas that had been disrupted by the expansion of Alexander the Great armies . The Empire was prosperous and greatly expanded the region trade , agriculture , and economic activities . This empire created a single and efficient system of finance , administration , and security . One of the greatest emperors in the dynasty was the Great , who ruled over a long period of peace and prosperity . embraced Buddhism and focused on peace for much of his rule . He created hospitals and schools and renovated major road systems throughout the empire . His advancement of Buddhist ideals is credited with being the reason most of the population on the island of Sri is Buddhist to this day . Islam became a powerful force in South Asia upon its diffusion to the subcontinent . Muslim dynasties or kingdoms that ruled India between 1206 and 1526 are referred to collectively as the Delhi Sultanate . The Delhi Sultanate ended in 1526 when it was absorbed into the expanding Empire . The Islamic Empire ruled over much of northern and central India from the 15005 to about the middle of the nineteenth century . After 1725 , it began to decline rapidly because of a combination of factors , with European colonialism adding the finishing touch . The Empire had been religiously tolerant but Muslim oriented . The classic period of this empire began in 1556 and ended in 1707 . Many of the monuments we associate with India , including the Taj Mahal , the Red Fort in Lahore , and the Agra Fort , were built during the classical period . Colonialism in South Asia The force of colonialism was felt around the world , including in South Asia . South Asia provides an excellent example of colonialism role in establishing most of the current political borders in the world . From the sixteenth century onward , ships from colonial Europe began to arrive in South Asia to conduct trade . The British East India Company was chartered in 1600 to trade in Asia and India . They traded in spices , silk , cotton , and other goods . Later , to take advantage of conflicts and bitter rivalries between kingdoms , European powers began to establish colonies . Britain controlled South Asia from 1857 to 1947 .

Introducing the Realm 740 Figure Colonialism South Asia British Rule Created the Political Borders British in South Asia began in 1857 and lasted until 1947 . Goa is the smallest state in India . In the sixteenth century , it was first encountered by Portuguese traders , who annexed it shortly after arriving . Goa was a colony of Portugal for the next 450 years . By the , most of the population of the tiny area had been forcibly converted to Christianity . Many of the Hindu traditions , however , survived in the region . Hindu holidays are celebrated among the expatriate community in India . Christian holidays are also celebrated , especially Christmas and Easter , The cathedrals and secular architecture in many of the historic buildings of Goa are European in style , its Portuguese origins . This architecture is locally termed Goa was one of the colonial possessions in the world . It was finally annexed to India in 1961 . The British no longer controlled South Asia after 1947 . Local resistance and the devastating effects of World War II meant the British Empire could not be controlled as it once was , Great Britain pulled away from empire building to focus on its own redevelopment . Upon the British withdrawal from India , Britain realized the immense cultural differences between the Muslims and Hindus and created political boundaries based on those differences . West Pakistan was carved out of western India East Pakistan was carved from eastern India . However , the new borders separating Hindu and Muslim majorities ran through population groups , and some of the population now found itself to be on the wrong side of the border . The West partition grew into a tragic civil war , as Hindus and Muslims struggled to migrate to their country of choice . More than one million people died in the civil war , a war that is still referred to in today political dialogue between Pakistan and India . The , who are indigenous to the Punjab region in the middle , also suffered greatly . Some people decided not to migrate , which explains why India has the largest Muslim population of any state .

741 World Regional Geography Another civil war would erupt in 1973 between West Pakistan and East Pakistan . When the states were first created in 1947 , they operated under the same government despite having no common border and being over nine hundred miles apart and populated by people with no ethnic similarities . The civil war lasted about three months and resulted in the creation of the sovereign countries of Pakistan and ( formerly East Pakistan ) The name is based on the Bengali ethnicity of most of the people who live there . Both Pakistan and are among the top ten most populous countries in the world . Language is probably one of the more pervasive ways that Europeans affected South Asia . In India and Pakistan , English is the language of choice in secondary education ( schools ) It is often the language used by the government and military . Unlike many other Asian countries , much of the signage and advertising in Pakistan and India is in English , even in rural areas . Educated people switch back and forth , using English words or entire English sentences during conversation in their native tongue . Some scholars have termed this or as the base languages of northern India and Pakistan are Hindi and , respectively . The British game of cricket is an important cultural and national sport within this Asian subcontinent . The constant conflict between the nations of India and Pakistan are reflected in the intense rivalry between their national cricket teams . The Cricket World Cup is held every four years and is awarded by the International Cricket Council . South Asian countries have won the Cricket World Cup three times India ( 1983 ) Pakistan ( 1992 ) and Sri ( 1996 ) Population in South Asia South Asia has three of the ten most populous countries in the world . India is the second largest in the world , and Pakistan and are numbers five and six , respectively . Large populations are a product of large family sizes and a high fertility rate . The rural population of South Asia has traditionally had large families . Religious traditions do not necessarily support anything other than a high fertility rate . On the other hand , the least densely populated country in South Asia is the Kingdom of . has a population density of only fifty people per square mile . is mountainous with little arable land . More than a third of the people in live in an urban setting . Population overgrowth for the realm is a serious concern . An increase in population requires additional natural resources , energy , and food production , all of which are in short supply in many areas .

Introducing the Realm 742 Table Demographics of South Asia and the World Most Populous Countries Gross . domestic Rank Country Population Fertility Percentage product name in millions density density rate rate ( urban per capita ( China 361 143 47 India 937 52 30 United States 313 84 468 73 82 Indonesia 245 331 65 44 Brazil 203 62 884 62 87 Pakistan 187 604 45 36 158 45 28 155 435 36 50 Russia 138 21 301 73 10 Japan 126 867 67 11 Mexico 113 149 64 78 41 Nepal 29 525 44 19 57 Sri 21 862 75 14 165 50 58 35 176 Maldives 40 Countries noted with an asterisk are part of South Asia Empty cell indicates a negative population doubling time . Source CIA World , June 2011 , accessed September 13 , 2011 , South Asia growing population has placed exceedingly high demands on agricultural production . The amount of area available for food production divided by the population may be a more helpful indicator of population distribution than total population density . For example , large portions of Pakistan are deserts and mountains that do not provide arable land for food production . India has the Thar Desert and the northern mountains . Nepal has the . The small country of the Maldives , with its many islands , has almost no arable land . The number of people per square mile of arable land , which is called the density , can be an important indicator of a country status . Total population densities are high in South Asia , but the densities are even more astounding . In , for example , more than five thousand people depend on every square mile of arable land . In Sri the density reaches to more than people per square mile , and in Pakistan it is

743 World Regional Geography more than . The data are averages , which indicate that the population density in the fertile river valleys and the agricultural lowlands might be even higher . Figure Crowded Street in New Delhi , India Urban areas of South Asia are expanding rapidly . John 3555 BY . The population of South Asia is relatively young . In Pakistan about 35 percent of the population is under the age of fifteen , while about 30 percent of India almost billion people are under the age of fifteen . Many of these young people live in rural areas , as most of the people of South Asia work in agriculture and live a subsistence lifestyle . As the population increases , the cities are swelling to accompany the growth in the urban population and the large influx of migrants arriving from rural areas . shift is extremely high in South Asia and will continue to fuel the expansion of the urban centers into some of the largest cities on the planet . The shift that is occurring in South Asia also coincides with an increase in the region interaction with the global economy .

Introducing the Realm 744 The South Asian countries are transitioning through the five stages of the index of economic development . The more rural agricultural regions are in the lower stages of the index . The realm experienced rapid population growth during the latter half of the twentieth century . As death rates declined and family size remained high , the population swiftly increased . India , for example , grew from fewer than four hundred million in 1950 to more than one billion at the turn of the century . The more areas are transitioning into stage of the index and experiencing significant shift . Large cities such as Mumbai ( Bombay ) have sectors that are in the latter stages of the index because of their work force and higher incomes . Family size is decreasing in the more areas and in the realm as a whole , and demographers predict that eventually the population will stabilize . Figure Population Growth in India Population of India 800 600 Population in Millions 400 200 1951 1961 1971 1981 1991 2001 2011 of Census CIA World public domain . At the current rates of population growth , the population of South Asia will double in about fifty years . Doubling the population of would be the equivalent of having the entire 2011 population of the United States ( more than 313 million people ) all living within the borders of the US state of Wisconsin . The general rule of calculating doubling time for a population is to take the number seventy and divide it by the population growth rate . For the doubling time would be 70 45 years . The doubling time for a population can help determine the economic prospects of a country or region . South Asia is coming under an increased burden of population growth . If India continues at its current rate of population increase , it will double its population in years , to approximately billion . Because the region rate of growth has been gradually in decline ,

745 World Regional Geography this doubling time is unlikely . However , without continued attention to how the societies address family planning and birth control , South Asia will likely face serious resource shortages in the future . Key Takeaways All the South Asian countries border India by either a physical or a marine boundary . The form a natural boundary between South Asia and East Asia ( China ) The realm is surrounded by deserts , the Indian Ocean , and the high Himalayan ranges . The summer monsoon arrives in South Asia in late May or early June and subsides by early October . The rains that accompany the monsoon account for most of the rainfall for South Asia . Water is a primary resource , and the larger river systems are home to large populations . The River Valley was a location of early human civilization . The large empires of the realm gave way to European colonialism . The British dominated the realm for ninety years from 1857 to 1947 and established the main boundaries of the realm . Population growth is a major concern for South Asia . The already enormous populations of South Asia continue to increase , challenging the economic systems and depleting natural resources at an unsustainable rate . Discussion and Study Questions . are the Himalayan Mountains continuing to increase in elevation ?

Which of the countries of South Asia border the ?

Wiat are the three major rivers of South Asia ?

Where do they start and what bodies of water do they into ?

Why have these river basins been such an important part of the early civilizations of the realm and why are they core population areas today ?

does the monsoon usually arrive in late May or early June ?

What is the main precipitation pattern that accompanies the monsoon ?

Why is the monsoon a major source of support for South Asia large population ?

Wiat changes did British colonialism bring to South Asia ?

When did the British control South Asia ?

Why do you think the British lost control when they did ?

is the high population growth rate a serious concern for South Asian countries ?

What can these countries do to address the high population growth rate ?

How can Pakistan have a higher fertility rate than but still have the same growth rate and doubling time ?

would the country of the Maldives be concerned about climate change ?

How would you assess the status of each country with regard to the index of economic development ?

Wiat are the three dominant religions of the realm ?

How did religion play a role in establishing the realms borders ?

What happened to East Pakistan ?

10 . How can the principle of doubling time be used to assess a country future potential ?

What is the general formula to calculate a population doubling time ?

Introducing the Realm 746 Geography Exercise Identify the following key places on a map Arabian Sea Bay of Bengal River Central Indian Plateau Plateau Plateau Eastern Ganges River Indian Ocean River Kashmir . Everest Punjab Thar Desert Western The Peripheral States of South Asia Learning Objectives . Outline the main physical features of the countries described in this section . Understand how cultural differences in religion and ethnicity continue to cause conflict and division in South Asian countries and regions . Outline how and why Kashmir is divided and its importance for the region . Describe how tourism has been a means of gaining wealth for the listed countries . Summarize the main environmental concerns that are apparent in each of the countries . As detailed earlier , the Indian subcontinent is a large landmass that juts into the Indian Ocean along the southern side of Asia , between Afghanistan and ( Burma ) and south of China . The Indian perimeter includes the southern countries of the Maldives and Sri , and the northern regions of the Punjab , Kashmir , Nepal , and . This landmass has a long tectonic history and has been formed by the collision of the Indian Tectonic Plate with the Eurasian Plate . This tectonic collision has given rise to the highest mountain chains and ranges in the world along the northern and northwestern part of the Indian is , the . The Mountains are located in northern Pakistan and Kashmir . Together with the other Himalayan Mountain ranges , they form an arc that stretches across the entire northern border of South Asia . Nepal and are both located in the . The Himalayan ranges have some of the highest peaks in the region , including Mount Everest ( located on the border between Nepal and China ) and ( located in Pakistan ) In western Pakistan and western Afghanistan , the Hindu Kush mountain ranges that border this area are found . The River flows from the northern part of the mountains and creates a large , fertile flood plain . Along its northern area , the River System has four main tributaries . Together , these rivers constitute the five rivers of the Punjab regions of Pakistan and India Punjab means the land of the five rivers in the Punjabi language . 747

The Peripheral States of South Asia 748 The Punjab The Punjab is a fertile agricultural region with a high population density located on the border between India and Pakistan . Areas of the Punjab lie in both India and Pakistan . Where there is ample fresh water and bountiful food production , there is usually high population density . The Punjab is the most densely populated region in Pakistan . India has a separate state called the Punjab . Its river valleys are excellent areas for agricultural production and contribute heavily to the provisions needed to feed the enormous populations of the two countries . The Punjabi people are found in the Punjab State of India and the Punjab Province of Pakistan . This large cultural area was separated into two countries during Partition at the time of Indian independence and the creation of Pakistan in 1947 . Most of the people in the Punjab speak Punjabi , an language . In a larger context , people with Punjabi background are considered one of the main ethnic groups in South Asia . Punjabis account for about 45 percent of the population of Pakistan . In Pakistan , the Punjabis are grouped in clans and groups that correspond with traditional occupations . Traditionally , Punjabis are farmers and warriors , and in modern times are associated with agricultural professions and military life . Punjabis in Pakistan are predominantly Muslim , although a Christian minority exists . Indian Punjabis belong to traditional groups , including many of the same groups as in Pakistan , but many more . Most of the Muslim populations of the Punjab migrated to Pakistan in 1947 and , thus , most of the Indian Punjabis are with a Christian minority . Figure

749 World Regional Geography protest against India opposition to their proposed homeland ( state ) in the Punjab called . People gravitate toward systems , but globalization supports integration across political boundaries . Elliot Brown Remembering the Genocide . The Punjab region of Pakistan and India is the homeland of the , people who follow a religion that is different from Islam or . was founded by Guru Dev ( All distinctions of caste , creed , race , or gender are rejected in this religion . In there is no priestly class . Every person is equally and fully responsible for leading a moral life , which eventually leads to universal salvation . Heaven and hell are not physical places , and God is the cosmic universal spirit . Historically , traditional men wear turbans on their heads and never cut their hair or beard . is a universal religion . A prominent landmark and spiritual center is their Golden Temple , located in the city of in the Indian state of the Punjab . is a system of religious philosophy and expression , known as the or the counsel of the gurus , or the Dharma ( or way of life ) comes from the Hindi and Punjabi word , which means to The principal belief in is faith in the universal God . promotes the pursuit of salvation through discipline and personal meditation on the name and message of God . However , it must be mentioned that have a concept of God that is , do not envision God as having any form or shape or mind similar to that of humans . has become the widely adhered to religion on Earth . During British colonial occupation of South Asia , were elevated to positions of power to help the British rule over Muslim and Hindu populations . The are often overshadowed by the large Hindu and Muslim populations in the realm . Many of the would like to have their own , free from Muslim or Hindu domination , and would like to see the Punjab region become the new homeland for this , called . They have held rallies and demonstrations to promote the creation of . The Indian government has , however , cracked down on militant movements that support the concept . The movement was more popular in the 19705 and and has been scaled down in recent decades . Proponents still attempt to attract young people and foreign donations to its cause . does not have the support of the Pakistani and Indian governments and is not likely to become a reality any time soon . is an example of the devolutionary push for a political unit for a particular group of people with similar aspirations or heritage .

The Peripheral States of South Asia 750 The Kingdom of Kashmir Located in the high mountains of the north is the former Kingdom of Kashmir , a separate kingdom before the British divided South Asia . In 1947 , when the British drew the boundary between India and Pakistan , the leader of Kashmir , the ah , chose not to be a part of either country but to remain independent . About 75 percent of the population in Kashmir was Muslim the rest , including the maharajah , were mainly Hindu . This arrangement worked for a time , until the Muslim majority was encouraged by their fellow Muslims in Pakistan to join Pakistan . After a Muslim uprising , the maharajah asked the Indian military for assistance . India was more than pleased to oblige and saw it as an opportunity to oppose Pakistan one more time . Today Kashmir is divided , with Pakistan controlling the northern region , India controlling the southern region , and China controlling a portion of the eastern region . A has been implemented , but outbreaks of fighting have occurred . The future of Kashmir is unclear . None of the countries involved wants to start a war , because they all have nuclear weapons . Figure The Issues with Kashmir

751 World Regional Geography Pakistan controls the northern areas , India controls and Kashmir , and China controls the eastern portion , labeled Chin on this map . All three countries have nuclear weapons , and it seems apparent that none of the countries wants to start a nuclear war . Updated from map Courtesy of University of Texas Libraries . The conflict in Kashmir is about strategic location and control of water rather than labor and resources . It is unknown whether there are abundant minerals in the mountains in Kashmir to be mined , but regardless , there is little mining activity going on , not enough to cause conflict . One of the main physical geography features of importance is water . The River flows through Kashmir from Tibet and into Pakistan . The control of this river system is critical to the survival of people living in northern Pakistan . If India were to place a dam on the river and divert the water to their side of the border , to the dry regions of the south , Pakistan could suffer a water shortage in the northern part of the country . Another aspect of the Kashmir goes back to the division of Pakistan and India , which pitted Muslims against Hindus along the border region . The religious differences have come to the surface again in the over the control of Kashmir . Extremist movements within Kashmir by the Muslim population have fueled the division between those who support Pakistan and those who support dominated India . The Kingdom of Landlocked and mountainous , the small Kingdom of is remotely located next to the high between China and India . The mountain peaks reach more than thousand feet . is about half the size in physical area of the US state of Kentucky and has fewer than one million people . The southern plains are warm , with subtropical weather , but the higher altitudes of the mountains have climates . The local people call their country the Land of the Thunder Dragon because of the harsh storms they experience . has large areas of natural habitat that have not been disturbed by human activity . The natural environment and the unique heritage and culture of the people make an attractive destination for world travelers . is a small country without much industry or corporate involvement . Forestry and agriculture are the main economic activities , which account for approximately 60 percent of the country population . Grazing livestock and subsistence agriculture are the primary types of farming . Increasing the country modest infrastructure is hampered by its high mountains and remote location . India is main trading partner and has played an important role in the country development and economic situation .

The Peripheral States of South Asia 752 Figure Famous Buddhist Monastery , Commonly Known as the Tigers Nest The unique landscapes and cultural experience that offers In travelers have promoted tourism as an increasing activity . singh BY . Modern transportation and communication technologies are being introduced in and are changing how the country is connected to the rest of the global economy . Satellite and cable television , mobile phone networks , the Internet , and major airline service are opening the doors of opportunity and interaction between the people of and the rest of the world . Introduction of technological services has prompted government to take steps to protect its environment and unique heritage . Tourism has become a major focus of the changes . The country has stepped up its efforts to develop tourism but has targeted a specific type of traveler . is an expensive place to visit , which has been the biggest deterrent for travelers . Visitors from places other than India and must agree to strict requirements set by the suppliers of tourism , including large daily fees just to be in the country . Tourism is increasing in but remains highly selective in its requirements and regulations . These measures are to ensure that the environmental health of the country remains intact and that there is minimal cultural impact from outsiders . Buddhism is the state religion and is followed by about 75 percent of the population . is the largest religion and is followed by the other 25 percent of the population . One of the principles of the government in regulating development projects has been the concept of gross national happiness ( which is used as a guide to determine the impact of a project on the culture and people of . The stem measures regarding development have protected the country from serious environmental degradation and have helped to sustain the lifestyles of the people . Some measures may appear harsh to outsiders , but the country is implementing these measures to promote the health and of its people . For example , tobacco products are banned from

753 World Regional Geography being sold in the country . Democratic elections are becoming standard after centuries of by a monarchy . The intent of the transition is to provide the people with more direct control of their government and country . Interesting points about the culture of include the issue of marriage . Marriages based on love are becoming more common in the cities , while arranged marriages remain a tradition in many of the smaller villages . Under the current legal system , women have the right to inheritance . Homes and personal possessions are passed down through a family female children . Traditionally , male children do not inherit . Men are expected to earn their own livelihood and if they get married will most often live in the wife house . Archery is the national sport of . Most villages regularly hold archery competitions , which usually include festivities of sewing food and conducting community events . The Kingdom of Nepal Figure The Himalayan Mountains and the Lowlands of Nepal

The Peripheral States of South Asia 754 KATH alp , a av . CIA World public domain . Bordering the highest mountain range in the world , the , the country of Nepal is isolated from any seacoast and buffered from the outside world by India and China . Nepal is about the same size in physical area as , and is home to almost thirty million people . More than 80 percent of its people work the land in a region that is suffering from severe deforestation and soil erosion . Trees are cut down to build houses , to cook food , and to keep warm . Without trees to hold the soil , the monsoon rains wash soil from the mountain fields into the valleys . The combination of the population with the loss of capacity means it is only a matter of time before a major crisis occurs in Nepal . Nepal best farmland is in the lowlands of southern Nepal , while the north is quite mountainous . The towering elevation of the restricts human habitation in the north . High population growth has also been outstripping the country economic growth rate in recent years . Nepal has an abundance of tourist attractions , Everest being its best known . In addition , there are hundreds of ancient temples and monasteries . Swift flowing streams and terrain support a modest trekking industry . Visitors to Nepal have an opportunity to glimpse a rich culture that few outsiders can witness . The downside is that tourism demands an investment in infrastructure and services . Such investments direct funds away from schools , medical clinics , and public services needed by the Nepalese people . Income from tourism is needed and always welcome , but the with investments is a difficult choice to make . Tourism in Nepal is not as restrictive as that of , and the unique physical and cultural landscapes will continue to draw travelers from throughout the world .

755 World Regional Geography Figure The Deforested Landscape of Nepal is a serious problem . The trees are cut down fur firewood and building materials . The winding road connects with Tibet . Commons public domain . is the main religion in Nepal , but a blend of Buddhism is more prevalent in the north . The guardian deity of Nepal is Shiva . Temple , the world most significant Shiva worship site , is located in the capital city of . This Shiva temple is not only a World Heritage Site but a major destination for Hindu pilgrims from around the world . Buddhist and Hindu beliefs often mix in Nepal . There are certain situations where the same deities and temples can be honored or worshipped by members of both religions . In a different part of Nepal , the city of ( on the border with another World Heritage Site , this one focusing on the birthplace of the , the founder of Buddhism . Prince was born about 563 , near . The city has recognized the prince with a number of monasteries and temples built in his honor . An entire development zone is restricted to nothing but monasteries and temples . No other commercial or public as hotels , shops , or be constructed in the zone . The different branches of the Buddhist faith each have their own specific designated sections of the zone . is a major pilgrimage site for Buddhist believers from around the world . In the late , local states of Nepal were consolidated into the one kingdom and ruled by monarchy . The kingdom was ruled by royal families until the . Nepal has been free of British influence since 1947 , but has had trouble establishing a stable central government . The royal family in charge of the kingdom was replaced in 1951 , and further democratic reforms were made in 1990 . Communist partisans from China have been active in insurgent activities . Frequent protests and civil unrest have caused political instability , which has discouraged tourism and has depressed the economy even further . The Communist movement and other opposition political parties held mass protests , culminating in a peace accord . Ensuing elections created the establishment

The Peripheral States of South Asia 756 of a federal democratic republic . The first president of Nepal was sworn into office in 2008 . There is still much tension in the country between those loyal to the royal family and those wanting the royal family to be dissolved . Without a stable government , economic and political progress in Nepal will be a serious challenge . Sri Sri is a beautiful island about half the size of Nepal . The island has a warm , tropical type A climate , with forested hills and mountains in the center . Rivers flow from the center outward to water the farm fields of rice and other crops . The best farmland in located in the areas of the southwestern portions of the island . Cinnamon is native to the island and has been cultivated since colonial times as an important export . Coconuts , coffee , and tea are also important export products . The island is home to Various national parks , four biosphere reserves , and several wild elephant herds . Sri has the potential to become a major tourist destination with high incomes and a hub for international trade . Factors working against Sri reaching its potential are not based on its physical geography or location , but rather they are linked back to colonialism and cultural or ethnic divisions between the majority and the Tamil minority . The people of South Asia follow Various religions . Pakistan and are Muslim . India has a Hindu majority . About 90 percent of the people of Nepal are considered Hindu but many follow a unique blend of Hindu and Buddhist beliefs . The small , mystical , mountainous kingdom of is Buddhist . Sri has its own unique circumstances and is a mixed country with a strong Buddhist majority and an active Hindu minority . The between the majority and the minority ethnic groups fueled a civil war on the island for decades . Differences in religion , ethnicity , and politics have brought the country to halt on Various occasions .

757 World Regional Geography Figure Picking Tea in Sri Tea , coffee , and cinnamon are at Sri . Tallis Keaton My mother Sri BY . people from somewhere in northern India moved to the island of Sri about years ago . The brought with them Buddhism and the language , which belongs to the language family . They established themselves on the island for centuries . Sri was first colonized by Portugal , then Holland . When the British colonized South Asia , they took control of Sri . It was called at that time and changed its name to Sri in 1972 . The higher elevations of the center of the island were excellent for tea production British established tea plantations there . To work the plantations Britain brought thousands of additional Tamil laborers from southern India across the Polk Strait to . Most of the Tamil speak a language and follow the Hindu religion . Figure Claims of Tamil in Sri

The Peripheral States of South Asia 758 Peninsula Strait Claimed by Tamil Tigers but not controlled by them Best . agricultural I region ' The Tamil Tigers laid claim a large of the eastern part ul Lhe island but did not control it . The only areas were in the far north , including the Peninsula and a small area around it . When the British were forced out of South Asia and left , the remained on the island . The now make up only 10 percent of the population and live mainly in the northeastern region of the island . They have been pressuring the majority to split the island politically and grant them independence . An insurgent civil war was waged for decades between the Tamil the Tamil the government . About sixty to eighty thousand people died in this conflict . Originally only controlling the Peninsula , the Tamil Tigers later made claims on a large portion of the northeastern part of the island . The Tamil Tigers created a government in the north called and wanted to legitimize it . The Sri president announced an end to the civil war in 2009 , and the Tigers admitted defeat at that time . This civil war devastated Sri tourism industry and discouraged foreign investments , further reducing economic opportunities for the island .

759 World Regional Geography The Maldives Just north of the Equator in the Indian Ocean to the southwest of India lie the Maldives , a group of islands that consists of atolls encompassing a territory of only about 115 square miles . Within the atolls are approximately small islands , of which about 200 are inhabited . Portugal controlled the Maldives from 1558 during their colonial expansion into Asia . Holland took over from the Portuguese in 1654 . The Maldives became a British protectorate in 1887 , which lasted until 1965 , when independence was achieved . Three years later the country became a republic . The Maldives is a country with many extremes . It is Asia smallest nation in both physical area and population . The island nation has the smallest physical area of any country with a majority Muslim population . The average feet , eleven inches above sea the lowest in the world for any country . Fishing and tourism are the chief methods for to earn a living . Tourism has increased in recent years . The many islands and atolls are attractive destinations for world travelers . The first tourist resort opened in 1972 . Since that time , dozens of resort facilities have opened for business across the archipelago . Tourism is the country number one means of gaining wealth . The coral reefs that make up the island chain are excellent for diving and water sports . The tropical climate and miles of sandy beaches provide for an attractive tourism agenda . The Maldives is an example of an entire country that could be in danger of flooding because of climate change if polar ice melts and sea levels rise . Concerns over the future of the islands gave reason for the president of the country to announce a plan in 2008 to purchase land in other countries in case sea levels rise to a point where the Maldives are no longer habitable . The purchase of land from tourism receipts would provide a place for the to move in case they had to evacuate the islands . The administration of the Maldives has worked hard to lobby the international community to address the increase in greenhouse gas emissions and the possibility of an increase in sea level caused by the global warming aspect of climate change . Key Ta The Punjab is a highly productive agricultural region located partly in Pakistan and partly in India . The region is home to the population , which has proposed having its own . Kashmir is divided between Pakistan , China , and India . The religious differences and the control of a valuable water source are at the core of this . Nepal borders the Himalayan Mountains and has an economy based on agriculture and tourism . High population growth has been stripping the land of trees , causing serious deforestation issues and soil erosion . The Kingdom of has placed major restrictions on tourism to protect its environment and limit outside on its culture . The beautiful tropical island of Sri experienced a civil war for decades between the Buddhist majority and the Tamil Hindu minority . The island has an excellent location and potential for economic development . The archipelago of the Maldives is a small country that depends on tourism for its economic survival . The low elevation of its land area makes it subject to due to the effects of climate change .

The Peripheral States of South Asia 760 Discussion and Study Questions Why is the Punjab region vital to both Pakistan and India ?

What has been one political goal of the living in the Punjab ?

What three countries control parts of the Kingdom of Kashmir ?

Why is the region of Kashmir vital to South Asia viability ?

Why is so selective about admitting tourists ?

Explain guiding philosophy regarding development . Why is Nepal experiencing environmental degradation ?

What was the civil war about in Sri ?

What did each side want ?

What is it about each country listed that is attractive to the tourism industry ?

53 What plan was announced to address the Maldives environmental concerns ?

Geography Exercise Identify the following key places on a map Peninsula . Everest Polk Strait lowlands Pakistan and Learning Objectives . Outline how Pakistan and are similar in their populations and economic dynamics but different in their physical environments . Understand why the two countries were once under the same government and separated in 1972 , when East Pakistan became . Describe the various regions of Pakistan and their physical and cultural landscapes . Comprehend the impact that large populations have on the natural environment and outline the main environmental issues that confront these two countries . Pakistan and are two separate and independent countries physically divided by India . Historically , this was not always the case from 1947 to 1971 they were administered under the same government . The two countries share a number of attributes . They both have Muslim majorities and both have high population densities . The countries are two of the top ten most populous countries in the world . Their populations are youthful and mainly rural agriculture is the main economic activity in each country . shift is a major trend affecting urban development . Infrastructure is lacking in many areas of each country . These similar factors indicate that both Pakistan and will face comparable challenges in providing for their large populations and protecting their natural environments . The Muslim League was responsible for the formation of a united Pakistan , a predominantly Muslim state for South Asian Muslims . Pakistan was created from the former Indian territories of ( Sind ) North West Frontier Provinces , West Punjab , and East Bengal . Pakistan was formed with two separate physical regions , defined by religious predominance . East Bengal , on the eastern side of India , was known as East Pakistan , while the remainder , separated by more than one thousand miles , was known as West Pakistan . The two physical units were united politically . East and West Pakistan , administered by one government , became independent of their colonial master in 1947 , when Britain was forced out . Pakistan ( East and West ) adopted its constitution in 1956 and became an Islamic republic . In 1970 , a massive cyclone hit the coast of East Pakistan and the central government in West Pakistan responded weakly to the devastation . The Bengali populations were angered over the government lack of consideration for them in response to the cyclone and in other matters . The War changed the situation . In this war , East Pakistan , with the aid of the Indian military , challenged West Pakistan and declared independence to become in 1972 . West Pakistan became the current country of Pakistan . 761

Pakistan and 762 Pakistan The physical area of Pakistan is equivalent to the US states of Texas and Louisiana combined . Much of Pakistan land area comprises either deserts or mountains . The high Himalayan ranges border Pakistan to the north . The lack of rainfall in the western part of the country restricts agricultural production in the mountain valleys and near the river basins . The River flows roughly along the eastern side of Pakistan , flowing into the Arabian Sea . River sediments are deposited in large areas found between river channels and oxbow lakes formed from the constantly changing river channels . These lands between the rivers are called and represent some of the most fertile land in the Indian subcontinent . The River from the northern part of the mountains and creates a large , fertile flood plain that comprises much of eastern Pakistan . Pakistan has traditionally been a land of farming . The River Valley and the Punjab are the dominant core areas where most of the people live and where population densities are remarkably high . Figure

763 World Regional Geography North West Frontier Federally Administered Tribal Areas Capital Territory Political Provinces and Territories of Pakistan The Areas of and and Kashmir are disputed territories The two core areas of Pakistan are the Punjab and the River Valley . CIA World public domain . Approximately 64 percent of the population lives in rural areas and makes a living in agriculture . Most of the people are economically quite poor by world standards . In spite of the rural nature of the population , the average family size has decreased from seven to four in recent decades . Nevertheless , the population has exploded from about 34 million in 1951 to about 187 million as of 2011 . About half of the population is under the age of twenty 35 percent is under the age of fifteen . A lack of adequate medical care , an absence of family planning , and the low status of women have created an population , which will have dire consequences for the future of Pakistan . Service and infrastructure to address the needs of this youthful population are not available to the necessary degree . Schools and educational opportunities for children are rarely funded at the needed levels . As of 2010 , only about 50 percent of Pakistan population was literate .

Pakistan and 764 Figure The Provinces and Territories of Pakistan LEI . Sadr , A , Part . Bin Qasim Sea Commons public domain . The capital of Pakistan when it was under British colonialism was , a port city located on the Arabian Sea . To establish a presence in the north , near Kashmir , the capital was moved to in 1960 . This example of a forward capital was an expression of geopolitical assertiveness by Pakistan against India , The lingua franca of the country for the business sector and the social elite continues to be English , even though is considered the national language of Pakistan and is used as a lingua franca in many areas . More than sixty languages are spoken in the country , There are as many ethnic groups in Pakistan as there are languages . The three most prominent ethnic groups are Punjabis , and .

765 World Regional Geography Regions of Pakistan The three main physical geographic regions of Pakistan are the River Basin , the Plateau , and the northern highlands . These physical regions are generally associated with the country main political provinces . The four main provinces include the Punjab , Sind ) and ( North West Frontier ) To the north is the disputed region of Kashmir known as the Northern Areas . Each of these regions represents a different aspect of the country . The North West Frontier has a series of Tribal Areas bordering Afghanistan that have been traditionally under their own local control . Agents under Tribal Agencies have attempted to administer some type of structure and responsibility for the areas , with little SUCCESS . The Punjab Figure Donkey Cart on Busy Street in Lahore , Pakistan , in the Punjab

Pakistan and 766 This is an example of traditional mixing with modern technology . Lahore is a large city with a wide range uf methods of conducting business . A guy and his BY . As explained previously , the Punjab is a core area of Pakistan , and has about 60 percent of Pakistan population . The five rivers of the Punjab border India and provide the fresh water necessary to grow food to support a large population . Irrigation canals create a water management network that provides water throughout the region . The southern portion of the Punjab includes the arid conditions of the Thar Desert . The northern sector includes the foothills of the mountains and has cooler temperatures in the higher elevations . The Punjab is anchored by the cities of Lahore , and . Lahore is the cultural center of Pakistan and is home to the University of the Punjab and many magnificent mosques and palaces built during its early history . In the , many Punjabis migrated to Europe , the Middle East , and North America seeking opportunities and employment . This of people from the Punjab provided cultural and business ties with Pakistan . For example , trade connections between the Punjab and the United States are increasing . The Punjab is the most industrialized of all the provinces . Manufacturing has increased with industries producing everything from vehicles to electrical appliances to textiles . The industrialization of the Punjab is an indication of its skilled work force and the highest literacy rate in Pakistan , at about 80 percent .

767 World Regional Geography Figure Man with His Camel in the Desert Region of in Western Pakistan Muhammad CAMEL BY . encompasses a large portion of southwest Pakistan to the west of the River . The region connects the Middle East and Iran with the rest of Asia . The landscape consists of barren terrain , sandy deserts , and rocky surfaces . covers about 44 percent of the entire country and is the largest political

Pakistan and 768 unit . The sparse population a living out of the few mountain valleys where water can be found . Local politics provides the basic structure for society in this region . Within the province of Pakistan are several coastal and interior rivers the interior rivers from the Hindu Kush Mountains of Afghanistan , while most of the rivers along the coastal deserts from west of to the Iranian border are seasonal in nature and provide one of the few sources of fresh water in those coastal regions . Much of the coastal region is arid desert with sand dunes and large volcanic mountainous features . The The ( Sind ) region of the southeast is anchored by , Pakistan largest city and major port . The River is the border on the west and the Punjab region lies to the north . To the east of the is the border with India and the great Thar Desert . The is a region that misses out on the rains from the summer monsoon and the retreating monsoon season , when the winds sweep in from the north over South Asia . The city of Hyderabad , Pakistan , is located along the River , which is a key area . Food crops consist of wheat and other small grains , with cotton as a major cash crop that helps support the textile industry of the region . Hyderabad , Pakistan , is not to be confused with a large city with the same name in India . Figure Female Doctor Examining Patient from a Mobile Medical Clinic in the Region of Pakistan

769 World Regional Geography UK Department tur International Development A female doctor with the International Medical Corps BY . shift has pushed large numbers of residents into the city of to look for opportunities and employment . In previous sections , slums and have been described and explained for cities such as Mexico City and Sao Paulo has similar development patterns , The central business district has a thriving business sector that anchors the southern part of the country . The city has a large port facility on the Arabian Sea . As a city of twelve to fifteen million people or more , there are always problems with a lack of public services , law enforcement , or adequate infrastructure . Urban centers usually have a strong informal economy that provides a means for many of the citizens to get by but is outside the control of the city or national government . The is the populous region of Pakistan , after the Punjab . The North West Frontier )

Pakistan and 770 Figure Man Firing in the North West Frontier of Pakistan Kai 9062 BY . The North West Frontier is a broad expanse of territory that extends from the northern edge of to the Northern Areas of the former Kingdom of Kashmir . Sandwiched between the tribal areas along the Afghanistan border and the lands of the Punjab , the Province is dominated by remote mountain ranges with fertile valleys . The famous Pass , a major into Afghanistan , is located here . The frontier is a breeding ground for culture and sentiments , mainly fueled by the US military activity in Afghanistan . The Taliban movement that once controlled the government of Afghanistan has been active and generally more organized in this region than in Afghanistan . A push for more fundamentalist Islamic law has been a major initiative of the local leaders . Support for education and modernization is minimal . The government of Pakistan has also stepped up its military actions in the region to counter the activities of the militant Islamic extremists .

771 World Regional Geography The Tribal Areas The North West Frontier borders the Tribal Areas , where clans and local leaders are standard parts of the sociopolitical structure . These remote areas have seldom been fully controlled by either the colonial governments ( the British ) or the current government of Pakistan . There are about seven main areas that fall under this description . Accountability for the areas has been difficult and even when the national government stepped in to exercise authority , there was serious resistance that halted any real established interaction . These remote areas are where groups such as and the Taliban often find safe haven . South and North are two of the main areas that have been controlled by Tribal Agencies and not directly by the Pakistani government . Northern Areas with Disputed Kashmir Pakistan Northern Areas include the territories that were once part of the Kingdom of Kashmir , the boundaries of which are disputed with India . The region is , in other words , interconnected with the issues related to Kashmir that involve Pakistan , India , and China . There are two main political entities the large northern section bordering Afghanistan is called , and the narrow section near is called Kashmir ( and Kashmir ) The Northern Areas are highlands , bordered to the north by the towering and mountain ranges . the world second highest mountain , which reaches feet , is located here . The Northern Areas are sparsely populated except for the River valley . The conflicts over these territories fuel nationalistic forces in both Pakistan and India . The conflicts are as much between Islam and as they are between political factions . The early war between India and Pakistan over the border that the British placed between them in 1947 almost seems to be reenacted in the more recent conflicts over the region of Kashmir .

Pakistan and 772 Figure The Highlands of the Northern Areas in Pakistan This is an absolutely Amazing View . Religion and Politics in Pakistan Today most of the people living in Pakistan are Muslim . About 85 percent of the Muslim population in Pakistan is and about 15 percent of the Muslim population is , which is consistent with the percentages of the two Islamic divisions worldwide . Islam is considered the state religion of Pakistan . The state is a federal republic with a parliamentarian style of government . As an Islamic state following the Sharia laws of the , it has been a challenge for Pakistan to try to balance instituting democratic reforms while staying true to fundamental Islamic teachings . Pakistan has held elections for government leaders , and the status of women has improved . Women have held many governmental and political positions , including prime minister . The military has been a foundation of power for those in charge . As a result of weak economic conditions throughout the country , it has been the military that has received primary attention and is the strongest institution within the government . Pakistan has demonstrated its nuclear weapons capability in recent years , which established it as a major player in regional affairs . Pakistan has suffered from inadequate funding for public schools . As a rule , the wealthy urban elites have been the only families who could afford to send their children to college . With half the population consisting of young people , there are few opportunities to look forward to in Pakistan . Education has been supported in the form of Islamic religious schools called , which teach children the and Islamic law . Much of the funding

773 World Regional Geography for religious schools comes from outside sources such as Saudi Arabia . The result is a religious education that does not provide the skills needed for the modern world . Pakistan has worked to build schools , colleges , and universities to educate its people . The situation is that population growth has been outpacing what little budget was allocated for educational purposes . The government of Pakistan has struggled to meet the challenge posed by the democratic structure of its constitution . The combination of a federal republic and an Islamic state creates a unique and at times difficult balance in administrative politics . The legislative body of Pakistan consists of a National Assembly and a Senate . The leader of the National Assembly is the prime minister . The elected president not only is in charge of the military but is also head of state . The military establishment and the Intelligence ( ISI ) agency major political power in Pakistan . The political leadership has often between military and civilian rule . Transitions between the two types of leadership have been conducted through civil unrest or political demonstrations in the streets . The First Female Prime Minister of Pakistan Women roles in Pakistani leadership have been complex . To understand the impact of electing the first woman prime minister in Pakistan , one has to go back to 1972 . At that time , East Pakistan gained its independence and changed its name to . At roughly the same time , Pakistan elected President Ali to power . After ruling for five years , Ali was ousted from power and sentenced to death by General , who became the next president . General was the first military general to also be president . He allowed the Islamic Sharia law to be introduced into the legal system , which bolstered the influence of Islam on the military and government services . In 1988 , General was killed in an unexplained plane crash . The daughter of the first Ali then elected as prime minister . The was the first female prime minister of Pakistan . tenure as prime minister was . After a year and a half , the president removed her from office on accusations of corruption . She ran again in 1993 and was reelected to the prime minister position . Charges of corruption continued and she was removed as prime minister a second time in 1996 . Political corruption , or the accusations of such a charge , is not uncommon in Pakistan or other countries with volatile political situations . To keep from being prosecuted by her opposition , left Pakistan in 1998 and lived in Dubai . She did not return to Pakistan until 2007 , under an agreement reached with the military general who was president at the time , General . was given amnesty for any and all claims against her .

Pakistan and 774 Figure 775 World Regional Geography visits the United Stale in 1989 while she was the prime minister of Pakistan . Commons public domain . The elimination of the corruption charges against her allowed to become a candidate for the office of president . She organized an effective campaign . Her campaign for the presidency energized the political landscape of the country . In December of 2007 , her campaign was cut short . was assassinated after departing a political rally . She was assassinated a few weeks before the polls were to open for the election . was the leading opposition candidate . Her death rallied support against General with continued calls for his removal from office . General resigned from the presidency in 2008 . The winner of the presidential elections that followed was none other than husband , Asif Ali . President blamed the Taliban for the assassination of his wife .

Pakistan and 776 Environmental Issues in Pakistan Pakistan is confronted with severe environmental issues . One of the concerns is a fault zone that runs directly through the region . Pakistan regions are divided by the Eurasian tectonic plate and the Indian tectonic plate . Shifting tectonic plates cause earthquakes there have been several major ones in Pakistan recent history . For instance , an earthquake of magnitude in 2005 in the northern region of the North West Frontier claimed about thousand lives in Pakistan and a few thousand others in neighboring India and Afghanistan . About 150 were felt the next day , many of which were over the level on the Richter scale . This particular event in 2005 was listed as the fourteenth most devastating earthquake on record at the time . It left over three million people without a home in Pakistan alone and more people were left homeless in neighboring areas . Hardest hit outside of Pakistan was the portion of Kashmir that is controlled by India . Many countries , including the United States , stepped up and supported the aid effort to reach people in the devastated region . Major earthquakes that cause devastation for the large populations here are common along this tectonic plate boundary . Another environmental issue in Pakistan is water pollution . Raw sewage discharges into the rivers and streams and contaminates the drinking water for many Pakistanis . Most of the population lives in rural areas and relies on natural untreated water for their consumption . The water sources are heavily polluted , triggering disease and health problems . The urban areas lack public water works to handle fresh water supplies or to dispose of sewage properly . Industrial wastes and agricultural runoff also pollute and damage water supplies . Floods and natural runoff can carry pollutants from the land or urban areas into the rivers and streams that are used by human communities . The net effect of all these factors is that a majority of Pakistan population lacks safe drinking water . Figure Helping Pakistanis

777 World Regional Geography A US soldier and Pakistani help Pakistani residents as they disembark from a US Army helicopter in , Pakistan , as part of relief efforts to help flood victims on August , 2010 . Heavy rains forced thousands of to flee rising flood waters . US forces partnered with the Pakistani military to coordinate evacuation and relief efforts . The Helping Pakistanis BY . Deforestation is another environmental problem in Pakistan , because the demand for wood for cooking fuel and building is on the rise . Only about percent of Pakistan is forested . In the last two decades , Pakistan has lost about of its forest cover . The removal of forests causes widespread soil erosion during heavy rains and decreases natural habitat for organisms and wild animals . Efforts to protect the biodiversity of the country have been minimal and are complicated by the increase in population , which is expected to double in about years if population growth remains on its current trajectory . The reality is that deforestation is likely to continue in Pakistan , with little hope of a solution anytime soon .

Pakistan and 778 is a country that is associated with the types of marshy environments found in tropical areas and river deltas . The region is extremely prone to , particularly during the monsoon season because of the high amount of rainfall . One of the most important rivers of flows southward from the through India and into . While in India , this river is known as the River , but when it enters , it is known as the River . It provides a major waterway for this region and empties into the Bay of Bengal . Figure

779 World Regional Geography 50 IN ' has about the same geographical area as the US state of Wisconsin . population estimate in 2011 was 153 million Wisconsin ' was about million . CIA World public domain . Contributing to the immense of water through the country are the Ganges and the rivers , which join up with the River near the sea . The Ganges through India and is a major source of fresh water for a large population before it reaches . The is a collection of tributaries within the boundaries of that out of the eastern part of the country , The is a deep river that can reach depths of almost two thousand feet with an average depth of more than one thousand feet , The hundreds of water channels throughout the relatively flat country provide for transportation routes for boats and ships that move goods and people from place to place . There are few bridges , so land travel is restricted when rainfall is heavy .

Pakistan and 780 Population and Globalization Imagine a country the size of the US state of Wisconsin . Now imagine half of the entire population of the United States living within its borders . Welcome to . With an estimated population of about 158 million in 2011 and a land area of only square miles , it is one of the most densely populated countries on the planet . Most of the population in is rural , agriculturally grounded , and poor . The larger cities , such as the capital of , have modern conveniences , complete with Internet cafes , shopping districts , and contemporary goods . The rural areas often suffer from a lack of adequate transportation , infrastructure , and public services . Poverty is common income levels average the equivalent of a few US dollars per day . Remarkably , the culture remains vibrant and active , pursuing livelihoods that seek out every opportunity or advantage available to them . There are many ethnic groups in , and many languages are spoken . The official and most widely used language in is Bengali ( which is an language of Sanskrit origin and has its own script . A Presidential Order in 1987 made Bengali the official language for the government of . Bengali is also the main language for the Indian state of West Bengal , which neighbors . English is used as the lingua franca among the middle and upper classes and in higher education . Many minor languages are spoken in and in the region as a whole . Most of the population , about 90 percent , is Muslim , with all but about percent . There is a sizable minority , about percent , which adheres to , Buddhism , Christianity , or animism . The US State Department considers to be a moderate Islamic democratic country . Figure Street Scene in , the Capital of

781 World Regional Geography Ben The streets of BY . suffers from a demographic dilemma . Its tropical climate , availability of fresh water , and productive agricultural land have augmented a high population growth rate . The population is a growing concern . The government has stepped up its support for women health , birth control , and family planning services . This is an Islamic country , but practical approaches and common sense in regard to population control have won out over Islamic fundamentalism , which has not always supported family planning . This poor and highly populated country has experienced political problems . Most of the people work in agriculture , while the remaining population is primarily concentrated in the service sector . Small business enterprises have been encouraged by the issuing of , or small loans , to assist people in using their skills to earn income .

Pakistan and 782 Globalization is evident in . As a result of the availability of cheap labor , sweat shops have been implemented to manufacture clothing for export to the world markets . The country also receives financial from working overseas in places such as the region of the Middle East , which also is predominantly Muslim and is attracting cheap labor for its economic development projects funded by oil revenues . One example of how has been able to acquire materials such as steel is in the recycling of old ships . Shipping companies that have ships that are no longer viable for modern shipping have brought them to the shores of to be stripped down , taken apart , and the materials recycled . Environmental Issues The summer monsoons are both a blessing and a curse in . The blessing of the monsoon rains is that they bring fresh water to grow food . The northeast part of receives the highest amount of rainfall , averaging about eighteen feet per year , while the western part of the country averages only about four feet per year . Most of the rain falls during the monsoon season . can grow abundant food crops of rice and grain in the fertile deltas of the Ganges and Rivers , rivers that ultimately empty into the Bay of Bengal . About 55 percent of the land area is arable and can be used for farming , but causes serious damage to cropland by eroding soil and washing away seeds or crops . Every year , countless people die because of the , which can cover as much as a third of the country . One of the worst flooding events in history was experienced in 1998 , when river flooding destroyed more than three hundred thousand homes and caused more than one thousand deaths , rendering more than thirty million people homeless . Most parts of are fewer than forty feet above sea level , and the country is vulnerable to major flooding according to various global warming scenarios . Half of the country could be flooded with a rise in sea level . Storm surges from cyclones killed as many as one hundred fifty thousand people in 1991 . In comparison , about two thousand people died when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2006 . The high death toll from flooding does not receive its due attention from Western news media . Environmental concerns increase with the projections of climate change . If sea level rises or if storms increase , then the agricultural lands of would suffer even more and devastation . This would decrease the food supply of a growing population . Another environmental problem for is deforestation . Wood is traditionally used for cooking and construction . The needs of a larger population have caused widespread deforestation . Brick and cement have become alternative building materials , and cow dung has become a widely used cooking fuel even though it

783 World Regional Geography reduces the fertilizer base for agriculture . Even so , these adaptations have not halted the deforestation problem . The main remaining forests are located along the southern borders with India and Burma ( and in the northeast sector . Figure 925 Man Working in a Rice Field in Commons public domain . suffer because of widespread water pollution from naturally occurring arsenic that contaminates water wells . The pyrite bedrock underneath much of western has large amounts of arsenic in it . Millions of people drink groundwater contaminated with this arsenic on a daily basis . Arsenic kills people slowly , by building up in their bodies , rotting their fingernails , giving them dark spots and bleeding sores . Arsenic is

Pakistan and 784 a slow killer and a carcinogen that increases the risk of skin cancer and tumors inside the body . Villagers in began being affected by these symptoms in the 19705 . In 1993 , official tests indicated that up to 95 percent of the wells in one of the villages in the western region were contaminated . The widespread water contamination has also had a social cost . Reports indicate that husbands are sending their disfigured wives back to their families of origin , and some young people are remaining single . Stories are told of people who believe that the health problems are contagious or genetic and can be passed on to children , which causes dilemmas for women who are trying to find a husband . Women and Banking in Despite an overall languishing economy , economic success stories in this poor country do exist . The Bank has been working to empower women in for many years . The bank issues to people in the form of small loans . These loans do not require collateral . Loans are often issued to impoverished people based on the concept that many of them have abilities that are and can be transformed into activities . About 96 percent of these loans are to women , and the average loan is equivalent to about one hundred dollars . Women have proven to be more responsible than men in repaying loans and utilizing the money to earn wealth . The loan recovery rate in is higher than 98 percent ( Support Group , 2011 ) has energized poor women to use their skills to make and market their products to earn a living . More than five million women have taken out such loans , totaling more than five billion dollars . This program has energized local women to succeed . It has been a model for programs in other developing countries . Key Ta When Britain colonialism ended in South Asia in 1947 , the Muslim League was instrumental in creating the united Muslim state with both East Pakistan and West Pakistan under one government . East Pakistan broke away and became the independent country of in 1972 . Both Pakistan and have large populations that are increasing rapidly . Both countries have agriculturally based economies . shift is occurring at an rate in both countries . Population growth places a heavy tax on natural resources and social services . The political units within Pakistan include four main provinces . Tribal Areas border Afghanistan and are controlled by local leaders . The Northern Areas are disputed with India . Each of the provinces has its own unique physical and human landscapes . Earthquakes are common in Pakistan because the country is located on a tectonic plate boundary .

785 World Regional Geography Deforestation and water pollution are two other major environmental concerns . is a country with the River , Ganges River , and the River flowing into the Bay of Bengal . Flooding is a major environmental concern that has devastated the country on a regular basis . Discussion and Study Questions What happened to East Pakistan ?

Why did its name change ?

Why does Pakistan have a forward capital ?

Where is it ?

Where did the capital used to be ?

Compare the population density of Pakistan , and the United States . What are the four main provinces of Pakistan ?

How are they different from each other ?

How is affected by the summer monsoon ?

How much rain can it receive annually ?

What are the main environmental problems in Pakistan ?

In ?

What type of government does Pakistan have ?

What is the law based on ?

How could both countries address their population growth situation ?

Who was the first woman prime minister of Pakistan ?

What happened to her ?

53 How has aided in the economic development of ?

Geography Exercise Identify the following key places on a map Arabian Sea Kashmir Bay of Bengal River Ganges River Hyderabad River Pass Lahore River Pakistan and 786 Areas Punjab Thar Desert Tribal Areas References Support Group , on the Poor , accessed November 14 , 2011 , India Learning Objectives Outline the basic activities of British colonialism that affected the realm . Understand the basic qualities of the rural and urban characteristics of India . Summarize the main economic activities and economic conditions in India . Describe the differences between various geographic regions of India . Explain the measures the Indian government has taken to protect the biodiversity of India . India and Colonialism India is considered the world largest democracy . As the historic geography and the development patterns of India are examined , the complexities of this Hindu state surface . European of South Asia included the Dutch , Portuguese , French , and , finally , the British . In search of raw materials , cheap labor , and expanding markets , Europeans used their advancements in technology to take over and dominate the regional industrial base . The East India Company was a base of British operations in South Asia and evolved to become the administrative government of the region by 1857 . The British government created an administrative structure to govern South Asia . Their centralized government in India employed many in positions of the administration to help rule over the largely Muslim and Hindu population . The English language was introduced as a lingua franca for the colonies . In truth , colonialism did more than establish the current boundaries of South Asia . Besides bringing the region under one central government and providing a lingua franca , India developed the main port cities of Bombay , Calcutta , and Madras ( now called Mumbai , and Chennai , respectively . The names of the port cities have been reverted to their original Hindi forms ) The port cities were access points for connecting goods with markets between India and Europe . Mumbai became the largest city and the economic center of India . 787

India 788 In 1912 , to exploit the interior of India , the British moved their colonial capital from , which was the port for the densely populated Ganges River basin , to New Delhi . Chennai was a port access to southern India and the core of the ethnic south . Britain exploited India by extending railroad lines from the three main port cities into the , to transport materials from the interior back to the port for export . The Indian Railroad is one of the largest rail networks on Earth . The problem with colonial railroads was that they did not necessarily connect cities with other cities . The British connected rail lines between the hinterland and the ports for resource exploitation and export of commercial goods . Today , the same port cities act as focal points for the activity of globalization and remain core industrial centers for South Asia . They are now well connected with the other cities of India . Goa is the smallest state of India . In the sixteenth century , it was first encountered by Portuguese traders , who annexed it shortly thereafter to become a colony of Portugal , which it was for the next 450 years . Goa was one of the colonial possessions in the world , and was not annexed by India until 1961 . By the , most of the population of this tiny area had been forcibly converted to Christianity . Although many Hindu traditions survived the colonial period , and Hindu holidays are celebrated here , Goa is known for its Christian holiday celebrations , especially Christmas and Easter . The cathedral and secular architecture in many of the historic buildings of Goa are European in style , reflecting its Portuguese origins . The People of India Contrasts in India are explicitly evident in the regional differences of its human geography . The contrasts are apparent through the lingua franca and ethnic divisions . The main lingua franca in the north is Hindi . In the south , the main lingua franca is English . The densely populated core region along the Ganges River , anchored on each end by Delhi and , has traditionally been called the heartland of India . The south is anchored by the port city of Chennai and the large city of Bangalore . Chennai has been a traditional industrial center . The industrial infrastructure has shifted to more modern facilities in other cities , giving over to a syndrome for portions of the Chennai region . India is a dynamic country , with shifts and changes constantly occurring . Any attempt to stereotype India into cultural regions would be problematic .

789 World Regional Geography Figure The Three Main Language Families in India rag . Hindi New Delhi . Hindi . Mu bai I I Language or dialect Hindi is the official language of the government , and both Hindi and English are the lingua franca . public domain University of Texas Libraries . In 2010 , India had more than billion people , which is about of the human population of the earth . An 80 percent majority follow Hindu beliefs . About 13 percent of the population is Muslim . Thirteen may not seem like a high percentage , but in this case it equates to about 140 million people . This is equivalent to all the Muslims who reside in the countries of Iraq , Saudi Arabia , Syria , and Egypt combined . India is sometimes called the Muslim country in the world , after Indonesia and Pakistan , because of its large Muslim minority . India essentially has two lingua English and Hindi , of which Hindi is the official language of the Indian government . India has states and fourteen recognized major languages . Many different languages are spoken in rural areas . The languages of northern India are mainly based on the language family . Languages used in the south are mainly from the language family . A few regions that border Tibet in the north use languages from the language family .

India 790 Urban versus Rural Rural and urban life within the Indian Subcontinent varies according to wealth and opportunity . While concentrated in specific areas across the landscape , in general the population in rural areas is discontinuous and spread thinly . In urban areas , the populations are very concentrated with many times the population density found in rural areas . India has six cities , Mumbai , Delhi , Chennai , Bangalore , and Hyderabad . There are many other large cities in India in 2010 , India had cities with more than a million people each . India interior is mainly composed of villages . In rural villages , much of the economy is based on subsistence strategies , primarily agriculture and small cottage industries . The lifestyle is focused on the agricultural cycles of soil preparation , sowing , and harvesting as well as tending animals , particularly water buffalo , cattle , goats , and sheep . About 65 percent of the population lives in rural areas and makes a living in agriculture . About 35 percent of the is equal to the entire US . India is rapidly progressing toward urbanization and industrialization . Changes in technology , however , tend to be slow in dispersing to the rural villages . More than half the villages in India do not have road access for motor vehicles . For residents of those Villages , walking , animal carts , and trains are the main methods of transportation . Agricultural technology is primitive . Diffusion of new ideas , products , or methods can be slow . Modern communication technology is , however , helping connect these remote regions . Figure Field with Oxen in Rural India

791 World Regional Geography BY . India cities are dynamic places , with millions of people , cars , buses , and trucks all found in the streets . In many areas of urban centers , traffic may be stopped to await the movement of a sacred cow or a donkey or bullock cart loaded with merchandise . Indian cities are growing at an unsustainable rate . Overcrowded and congested , the main cities are modernizing and trying to keep up with global trends . Traditionally , family size was large . Large family size results in a swell of young people migrating to urban areas to seek greater opportunities and advantages . In modern times , family size has been reduced to about three children , an accomplishment that did not come easily because of the religious beliefs of most of India people . If current trends continue , India will overtake China as the most populous country in the world in about fifty years . The level of official governmental control is usually different in an urban setting from what it is in the rural areas . There may be more police or military personnel in areas of heavy traffic or in urban areas that need extra control . A central feature of many Indian cities is an older central city that represents the protected part of the city . In Delhi , for example , New Delhi represents the new construction of government buildings that was begun during the British occupation of the region as part of the British Empire . Old Delhi represents the old markets , government buildings , palaces , fortresses , and mosques that were built during the Mogul Empire , between the and the . These older parts of the cities , particularly the markets , are bustling with activities , merchants , shoppers , cab drivers , and pedal and motor rickshaws . Rickshaws are either cabs or cabs based on enclosed motor scooters . In urban areas , there is a socioeconomic hierarchy of a small group of people who are wealthy and can afford all the amenities we associate with modern , clean water , television , computers , and the like . One of the things that characterize modern Indian cities is an expanding middle class . Many young people see the kinds of material goods that are available in the West and are creating job markets and opportunities to allow them to

India 792 reach or maintain this type of lifestyle . One of the major markets to support this burgeoning middle class is the information technology field , as well as outsourcing in many of the cities of peninsular India . India is a country with considerable contrast between the wealthy urban elites and the poor rural villagers , many of whom move to the cities and live in slums and work for little pay . Low labor costs have enabled Indian cities to industrialize in many ways similar to Western cities , complete with computers , Internet services , and other modern communications services . India growing middle class is a product of educational opportunities and technological advancements . This available skilled labor base has allowed India industrial and information sectors to take advantage of economic opportunities in the global marketplace to grow and expand their activities . Development within India is augmented by outsourcing activities by American and European corporations to India . Service center jobs created by business process outsourcing ( are in high demand by skilled Indian workers . India Economic Situation In the past decade , India has possessed the second fastest growing economy in the world China is first . India economy continues to rapidly expand and have a tremendous impact on the world economy . In spite of the size of the economy , India population has a low average per capita income . Approximately of the people living in India live in poverty the World Bank classifies India as a economy . India has followed a central economic model for most of its development since it declared independence . The central government has exerted strict control over private sector economic development , foreign trade , and foreign investment . Through various economic reforms since the , India is beginning to open up these markets by reducing government control on foreign investment and trade . Many publicly owned businesses are being privatized . Globalization efforts have been vigorous in India . There has been substantial growth in information services , health care , and the industrial sector .

793 World Regional Geography Figure Mumbai ( Bombay ) the Economic Capital and Largest City in India Ajay cig father BY . The economy is extremely diverse and has focused on agriculture , handicrafts , textiles , manufacturing , some industry , and a vast number of services . A 60 percent majority of the population earns its income directly from agriculture and services , Land holdings by individual farmers are small , often less than five acres , When combined with the inadequate use of modern farming technologies , small land holdings become inadequately productive and impractical . Monsoons are critical for the success of India agricultural crops during any given season , Because the rainfall of many agricultural areas is tied to the monsoon rains of only a few months , a weak or delayed rainfall can have disastrous effects on the agricultural economy . Agricultural products include commercial crops such as coffee and spices ( cardamom , pepper , chili peppers , vanilla , cinnamon , and so on ) An important product for perfume and incense is sandalwood , harvested primarily in the dense forests of the state of , in southwestern India , Bamboo is an important part of the agricultural harvest as well . Of course , rice and lentils provide an important basis for the local economy . Over the last two decades , technology and related services are transforming India economy and society , In turn , India is transforming the world information technologies in terms of production and service as well as the export of skilled workers in financial , computer hardware , software engineering , and software services . Manufacturing and industry are becoming a more important part of India economy as it begins to expand . Manufacturing and industry account for almost of the gross domestic product ( and contribute jobs to almost of the total workforce , Major economic sectors such as manufacturing , industry , biotechnology , telecommunications , aviation , shipbuilding , and retail are exhibiting strong growth rates . A large number of educated young people who are fluent in English are changing India into a back office target for global outsourcing for customer services , These customer services focus on products but also

India 794 include industries and online sales companies . The level of outsourcing of information activity to India has been substantial . Any work that can be conducted over the Internet or telephone can be outsourced to anywhere in the world that has communication links . Countries that are attractive to are countries where the English language is prominent , where employment costs are low , and where there is an adequate labor base of skilled or educated workers that can be trained in the services required . India has been the main destination for activity from the United States . Firms with service work or computer programming are drawn to India because English is a lingua franca and India has an adequate skilled labor base to draw from . Tourism has always been an important part of India economy and has been focused on the unique natural environments as well as historical cities , monuments , and temples found throughout the country . Of particular importance are the tombs , palaces , and mosques in Delhi , Agra , and , India Golden Triangle of tourism . India is a country of contrasts . Scenic beauty abounds from the Eastern and Western to the high mountains of the . The monsoon rains provide abundant agricultural crops for densely populated regions such as the Ganges River basin . On the other hand , places such as the Thar Desert are sparsely inhabited . There is a wide gap between the wealthy elite and the massive numbers of people who live in poverty . Mumbai has some of the largest slums in Asia , yet it is the financial capital of India , teeming with economic activity . As incomes rise for the middle class in India , the price of automobiles becomes more accessible . On the downside , an escalation in the numbers of motor vehicles in use tends to lead to an escalation in the levels of air pollution and traffic congestion . Similarly , an expansion of transportation systems increases the use of fossil fuels . India is a major competitor for fossil fuels exported from the Persian Gulf and other Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries ( sources . The continued industrialization and urbanization in India foretells an increase in demand for energy . Rising energy costs and demand , combined with economic growth , have caused a serious problem for India . Many areas will be without power as they are shut off the power grid for hours or days , a process known as . This allows industry and manufacturing to use the energy resources during peak times . In general , India is poor in natural gas and oil resources and is heavily dependent on coal and foreign oil imports . India is rich in alternative energy resources , such as solar , wind , and however , alternative energy resources have not been sufficiently developed . Vehicle Manufacturing

795 World Regional Geography Figure The Nano , Made in India rne is considered the world must inexpensive car . Commons BY . Two examples of India growing economic milieu are motor vehicle manufacturing and the movie industry . India vehicle manufacturing base is expanding rapidly , Vehicle manufacturing companies from North America , Europe , and East Asia are all active in India , and India also has its own share of vehicle manufacturing companies . For example , Tata Motors is the country foremost vehicle production corporation and it claims to be the commercial vehicle manufacturer in the world . Tata Motors is India largest designer and manufacturer of commercial buses and trucks , and it also produces the most inexpensive car in the world , the Tata Nano , Tata Motors manufactures midsized and larger automobiles , too . The company has expanded operations to Spain , Thailand , South Korea , and the United Kingdom . The company is an example of an international corporation that is a force in the global marketplace , In 2010 , India was recognized as a major competitor with Thailand , South Korea , and Japan as the fourth main exporter of autos in Asia .

India 796 The Indian Cinema Cinema makes up a large portion of the entertainment sector in India . India cinema industry is often referred to as Bollywood , a combination of Bombay and Hollywood , Technically , Bollywood is only the segment of the Indian cinema that is based out of Bombay ( Mumbai ) but the title is sometimes misleadingly used to refer to the entire movie industry in India , Bollywood is the leading movie maker in India and has a film production center . In the past few years , India has been producing as many as one thousand films annually . The highest annual output for the US film industry is only about that of India . According to the Guinness Book of World Records , India city of Hyderabad has the most extensive film production center in the world . The Telugu film industry operates the studio in Hyderabad . Figure Bollywood is a major film production company located in Mumbai ( Bombay ) The film industry in India produces almost twice as many movies as the United States . Indian production scenes can be dramatic and expressive . Feminist julie . Indian films are produced in more than a dozen languages and appeal to a wide domestic and international audience . Indian movies range from long epic productions with stories within stories to dramas , musicals , and theatrical presentations . Their popularity extends beyond South Asia . Indian movies with modest dress , lack of explicit sexual scenes , and a focus on drama are popular in places such as Egypt , the Middle East , and other African countries . Movie stars are energetically promoted and enjoy celebrity in India , as is the case with the entertainment industry in the United States and Europe . The cinema is part of the cultural experience in Indian society , Urban life in India reserves a large presence for the entertainment industry , particularly the Indian film

797 World Regional Geography industry . One of the prime artistic endeavors in urban India is movie posters depicting all the glory of the latest Bollywood movie . Most of these colorful posters are painted by hand and they tend to be large some are several stories high . India East and West South Asia physical overview of its physical described at the beginning of the chapter . India makes up the largest physical area of the South Asia realm . Another way of looking at the physical and human landscapes of India is to study spatial characteristics . Additionally , the economic side of the equation can be illustrated by dividing India between east and west according to economic development patterns . To do this , on a map of India draw an imaginary line from the border with Nepal in the north , near , to the Polk Strait border with Sri in the south . This division of India illustrates two sides of India economic pattern an economically progressive West India and an economically stagnant East India . Figure

India 798 . NEW , Agra North North . West India ' I . spam South ' South Ben alum mi , Ben alum Ban ) mai Ban ) I I Am I I ' Blair ' dura . I ' I ' I Tut conn ' India can be divided either along dimensions or along dimensions . CIA World public domain . The progressive western side of India is anchored by Mumbai and its surrounding industrial community . Mumbai is the economic giant of India with the country main financial markets , and has been a magnet for tech firms and manufacturing . Mumbai port provides access to global markets and is solidly connected to international trade networks . Auto manufacturing , the film industry , and computer firms all have major centers in the large urban metropolitan areas of the west . Large industrial cities such as Bangalore and Hyderabad have established themselves as production centers , attracting international business in the computer industry and the information sector . Chemical processing has been ongoing in , which is noted for an environmental disaster , a gas leak in 1984 that resulted in the deaths of as many as ten thousand people . The nation capital is located in New Delhi , which borders the massive city of ( Old ) Delhi . The western half of India has been progressing along a pattern with a positive economic outlook that views the global community outside of India as a partner in its success . The eastern half of India has not been as prosperous as the west in its economic growth . The renowned city of has traditionally anchored the eastern sector , but its factories have deteriorated into status with aging and outdated heavy industries . The labor activities of textile and domestic goods manufacturing are not as economically viable as they were in the past . The stagnant economic scene in the east is signified by the low average income levels of many of the states in the eastern region . Neighboring offers little in support of economic growth , and , another neighbor to the east , has its own set of problems and lacks support for East India . The eastern half of India does not have the strong partnerships with the global economy found in the west and thus relies more on internal resources for survival .

799 World Regional Geography India North and South There are differences in the geographic patterns between the northern and southern halves of India as well as between the eastern and western on the criteria used to compare them . Climate patterns , for example , are more diverse in the north , with a wide range of temperatures throughout the seasons . Winter temperatures in the mountainous north are cold and summer temperatures in the Thar Desert can be extremely high . Southern India has a more moderate range of temperatures throughout the year . The far north has high mountains . The south has only the Eastern and Western . The north has the extensive Ganges River basin . The south has different drainage networks based on the plateaus of the region . Besides physical aspects , there are cultural differences between the north and south as well . India is a complex societal mix of many ethnic groups , languages , and traditions . Spatially separating the country into vernacular regions is not conducive to agreeable results . Still , there are some recognizable trends that have been stereotyped or commonly stated between the northern and southern parts of India . The north is portrayed as a society , with more edge and competitiveness . The south has been portrayed as more relaxed and less insistent . As the section on languages illustrated , languages are mainly spoken in the north and languages are predominantly spoken in the south . Hindi is more commonly the lingua franca of the north , while English is more frequently the lingua franca of the south . People in the north are of descent , while the people in the south have a heritage . dominates all of India , but the north has a wider diversity of religions , such as , Buddhism , and Islam , practiced by a large number of people . The south has a substantial Christian population along its west coast . Food is an important aspect of the culture of societies , and there are clearly distinctions between the cuisine of the north and of the south in India . Indian cooking is primarily vegetarian , emphasizing aspects of . However , many dishes , particularly in North India , contain goat , chicken , lamb , fish , and other meats . Beef is not eaten by Hindus , while pork and some species of fish are not traditionally eaten by Muslims . North India has more products and less rice . Their dishes are prepared with spices and herbs , including black and chili peppers . Northern Indian food is characterized by its use of dairy products ( yogurt milk paneer , or homemade cheeses and ghee , or clarified butter ) Onions , ghee , and spices are the common base for different types of or curries ( are used for preparing different types of flat , naan , and . Rice , lentils , and chickpeas are a staple part of the diet in North India . Figure

India 800 A meal uf fish curry with rice and peppers can be found in South India . Fish Curry BY . Food in the southern parts of India includes more rice as a staple , and seafood ( fish and prawns ) is common along the coastal areas . Coconut oil is used as a basis for cooking , Sambar , a stew made of peas and vegetables , is an important staple of the region as are rice and , which are a type of cake or bread made from steaming fermented black lentils , Chili peppers are also common in South Indian cooking . Biodiversity and the Environment Earlier sections have introduced the issues of population growth and resource depletion in South Asia . India has its share of the same environmental problems . Water pollution along the Ganges is severe and affects the largest concentration of people in India , India is the consumer of coal in the world , coal that is mainly

801 World Regional Geography burned to produce electricity . Burning coal adds significantly to air pollution . A rise in the number of vehicles in use , combined with few emission controls , also adds to the air pollution in urban areas . Deforestation continues in many rural areas , as was noted in earlier sections about Pakistan and . India has a number of rare animal species that need habitat if they are going to survive . A few of the larger animals include the Indian Rhinoceros , Clouded Leopard , Indian Leopard , Snow Leopard , Asiatic Lion , Bengal Tiger , Asian Water Buffalo , Asian Elephant , Stripped Hyena , and the Red Panda . Many species are endangered or threatened along with many other organisms . The high human population growth throughout South Asia places a strain on the natural habitat of wild animals . Habitat loss caused by human development makes holding on to the wide array of biodiversity difficult . Figure The Indian Leopard is a species that once lived throughout South Asia . Sid Indian Leopard . India has instituted measures designed to preserve its biodiversity . The Indian government has created sanctuaries

India 802 for threatened or endangered species . National parks were established before India declared independence and were substantially expanded in recent decades . In 1972 , The Wildlife Protection Act was instituted to create critical habitat for tigers and other rare species . There are hundreds of protected wildlife areas and fifteen biosphere reserves in India . Four of the were created in conjunction with the World Network of Biosphere Reserves . The Indian government has established protected areas throughout the country , many of which are in the highland regions and the northern mountains . For example , the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary , including an area preserved for Asian Lions , is located on the Peninsula north of Mumbai , which juts out into the Arabian Sea . India is the only place left with Asian Lions in the wild . Tigers , elephants , rhinos , and leopards can be found in the sanctuaries . The country has about national parks , which are also home to rare wildlife species , and more than three hundred fifty wildlife sanctuaries of all sizes . There are about tiger reserves in India . The country also has a number of marine reserves and protected areas along its coastlines . The efforts of the Indian government to protect the country biodiversity constitute an admirable environmental undertaking . The government has stepped up law enforcement efforts to combat poaching , which is a major cause of the decrease in numbers of rare species . Poachers kill animals such as tigers , leopards , elephants , and rhinos for their hides , horns , or body parts , which are sold on the black market in Asia for large sums of money . Many of the rare , threatened , or endangered species of India would not have a chance of survival without the government efforts to protect and provide for them . Balancing finding resources for rapid human population growth with wildlife management will continue to be a challenge in the years ahead for India and all countries of the planet . Key Takeaways Colonialism had a tremendous impact on South Asia and its people . Colonial development patterns were implemented to control the people and to extract resources , not necessarily to benefit the realm . India has a wide disparity between its poor rural areas with agricultural economies and its wealthier bustling cities with expanding business sectors . Various urban centers of India have positioned themselves well to take advantage of the global economy and expand their manufacturing and industrial base . India is becoming a major manufacturing country for vehicles and industries . There are noticeable economic differences between the more progressive Western India and the stagnant economic conditions of Eastern India . There is also a noticeable cultural difference between the North and the South in India in the categories of language , ethnicity , food , and society . The Indian government has created national parks , wildlife sanctuaries , and game reserves to help protect rare , threatened , or endangered species . Discussion and Study Questions . Outline the main ways in which British colonialism impacted South Asia . What are the three main language families in India ?

What is the lingua franca ?

803 World Regional Geography . List the main qualities that are different between the rural and urban areas of India . How did British transport resources from the hinterland to the port cities for export back to Great Britain ?

How has this system changed since 1947 ?

Explain the various ways in which the rapid population growth is impacting India . Why is India a major target for ?

List various ways the Indian film industry impacts India and the world . How is economic development different between Western India and Eastern India ?

Outline some cultural differences between the North and the South in India . 10 . How has the government of India worked to protect the biodiversity of the natural environment ?

What are some of the animals that are being protected ?

Geography Exercise Identify the following key places on a map Agra Bangalore Bombay ( Mumbai ) Calcutta ( Delhi Goa Hyderabad Peninsula Madras ( Chennai ) New Delhi Religions of India and South Asia Learning Objectives Outline the basic religions of the realm . Name the largest minority religion . Understand the basic structure and concepts of , including the caste system . Describe how Buddhism differs from . Summarize religions other than Buddhism and that are prominent in India . Figure Islamic Architecture in Hindu India 804

805 World Regional Geography The Taj Mahal was constructed as a mausoleum for the wife of the ruler Shah in 1553 when the Muslim Mogul Empire controlled northern India . The Taj Mahal is located at Agra , India , and is a World Heritage Site . Ta Mahal BY . The realm of India and its surrounding countries is the native land for more than a few ancient religions . There are people in the realm who continue to adhere to animist beliefs who are not followers of any of the main world religions . The oldest world religions of India are and Buddhism . Other important religions in the realm include Islam , Christianity , and the i faith . India is at times labeled a Hindu state , but the accuracy of the label is dubious . A more suitable way to describe India is to say that it is a secular country where approximately 80 percent of the population follows Hindu traditions . Islam is the most popular religion , practiced by about 13 percent of the population . Christianity is India religion , practiced by about percent of the population . accounts for about percent of the population of India . Buddhism and are two other minority religions that have their origins in South Asia . And finally , there are still Indians who practice animist religions that predate all the other religions listed , especially in remote areas . is one of the world oldest major religions still practiced . Its origins can be traced to ancient civilizations in India approximately three thousand years ago . The religion is found mainly in India , and it has the number of believers of religions in the world . does not originate from a single teacher but from many traditions . The Hindu belief system consists of a number of schools of thought , with a wide variety of rituals and practices . has a vast body of written scripture that discusses theology , mythology , and philosophy as well as providing important guidance on the practice of dharma , religious or right living . These texts include the and the . Other important scripts include the , the , the , and the epics of the and the . The Girl ?

is a small part of the that is a conversation between one of the brothers and the god Krishna , concerning the meaning of life and worthiness . This is often thought to be a summary of the spiritual teachings of the .

Religions of India and South Asia 806 Figure Shiva Statue in Bangalore , India Andrea Lord Shiva BY . Predominantly , follows the teachings of many gods or goddesses , frequently including a Supreme Being . While there are hundreds , if not thousands , of gods and goddesses , many are thought to represent different aspects of the same individual or Supreme Being . These individuals can be recognized by items that they are holding as well as by the vehicle or avatar that carries them . The three main deities and most widely venerated of the Hindu faith are Shiva the Destroyer , Vishnu the Preserver , and Brahma the Creator . There is a continuous cycle in which the original creation was accomplished by Brahma , Shiva destroys the universe , and Vishnu will

807 World Regional Geography recreate or preserve that universe from destruction . Different Hindu traditions have venerated each of the three main deities as the Supreme Being . The polytheistic traditions of consider a large number of deities or spiritual entities . Since there is no one creed or unified systems of beliefs , has been referred to as more of a religious tradition than a religion . It has been said that can not be defined , but is instead experienced . This understanding allows a variety of beliefs to be included in the vast array of Hindu religious practices . There is actually freedom for the individual as to the form of worship or individual beliefs . The religion in general is more of a tradition and lifestyle with different avenues of practice . This allows for the diversity of spiritual deities or their manifestations within one Hindu faith . is an extremely diverse religion , making it extremely difficult to define set doctrines that are accepted by all denominations . Within the wide spectrum of religious traditions are general concepts that are common to Hindu beliefs . Hindus believe in Dharma ( code of conduct or duty ) Samsara ( Karma ( personal actions and choices ) and Moksha ( salvation ) by belief in God and through an individual path of faith . Reincarnation is a cycle of death and rebirth for a soul to transmigrate through until it reaches Moksha . Karma governs how the soul is reincarnated . Actions in this life determine the soul life cycle for the next life . Positive and upright works will draw one closer to God and a rebirth through reincarnation into a life with a wider consciousness or higher caste level . Evil or bad actions take the soul farther from God and into a lower form of worldly life or caste level . In the Hindu faith the eternal natural law applies to all life forms . The cycle of death and rebirth for the soul is necessary to reach the ultimate goal of reaching the universal divine spirit . Yoga is often used as a practice or path for following the traditions . Pilgrimages are common in Hindu practice . Holy sites or temples are located throughout India and are regular destinations for the Hindu faithful . Pilgrimage is not required but is routinely conducted by a good number of Hindus . Besides many holy temples , a variety of cities and other holy places are pilgrimage destinations for Hindus . one such city , is considered by many as the holiest city of , although other cities also hold this distinction . Located on the Ganges River , is home to a large number of temples and shrines . The most visited shrine in is one in honor of a manifestation of Shiva . Hindu festivals are held in throughout the year , many along the banks of the Ganges . is also one of the holiest places in Buddhism it is said to have been designated by Buddha as one of four prime pilgrimage sites . boasts more than one hundred that provide access to the Ganges River . These are not to be confused with the Eastern and Western that are highland ranges located along the coasts of India . For this application , a ghat is a term for a set of steps leading to the water . Some are used for bathing , some for religious rituals , and others for the cremation of the dead . More than one million Hindu pilgrims visit annually . Mother Ganga , as the river is referred to in , is considered holy by many Hindu followers . Devotees ritually bathe in the river or take holy water from it home to ill family members . Some Hindus believe that the water can cure illnesses . Others believe that bathing in the Ganges will wash away your sins . The nonspiritual truth is that the Ganges is a highly polluted waterway . The water is not considered safe for human consumption by most universal health standards .

Religions of India and South Asia 808 Figure Ghat in , where Hindu Faithful Access the Ganges River xiii . Ill ?

aw . I ! People washing at India BY . Hindu Marriage Act India 1955 Hindu Marriage Act addresses the issues of marrying outside of one religion or caste . The act proclaims that all , Buddhists , and Hindus of any sect , creed , or caste level are considered as Hindus and can intermarry . A is allowed to marry a Hindu , with the provision that specific legal stipulations must be followed , regardless of the ceremony . Every Hindu marriage has to be witnessed by the Sacred Fire , in deference to , the fire deity . To complete the marriage , the bride and groom must together encircle the Sacred Fire seven times .

809 World Regional Geography Figure Hindu Wedding In India .

Religions of India and South Asia 810 The Hindu Caste System The exact origins of and the caste system are unknown , but powerful nomadic Aryan warriors appeared in northern India about 1500 . The Aryans conquered most of India at the time , including the groups of central and southern India . They organized society into separate groups or castes . Every person was born into an unchanging group or caste that remained his or her status for the rest of his or her life . All lifetime activities were conducted within one own caste . The caste a person was born into was considered to be based on what they had done in a past life . The caste system has evolved differently in different parts of Asia . Each Hindu branch has its own levels of castes , and thousands of have been established over time . In , the basic system originated around five main caste levels . priests , teachers , and judges warrior , ruler , or landowner merchants , artisans , and farmers workers and laborers ' Untouchables or ) outcasts or tribal groups The ( Untouchables or ) traditionally worked in jobs relating to polluting activities , including anything unclean or dead . have been restricted from entering Hindu places of worship or drinking water from the same sources as members of higher castes . They often had to work at night and sleep during the day . In many areas , needed to take their shoes off while passing by neighbors . could leave their Hindu caste by converting to Christianity , Buddhism , or Islam . The Indian government has implemented a positive affirmative action plan and provided the with representation in public offices and certain employment privileges . This policy has received harsh opposition by groups . Technically , the caste system is illegal under current Indian law . Nevertheless , the opportunities that are available to the upper castes remain out of reach to many of the lowest caste . In some areas , education and industrialization have diminished the caste system influence . In other areas , Hindu fundamentalists have pushed for a stronger social structure and opposed any reforms . Traditional socioeconomic status tends to be more important in rural areas , where the caste system is more formally adhered to . If you live in a community of millions of people , caste affiliations tend not to be important , but in a smaller , more rural community , these relationships and the status they hold can be very important , especially as many of the castes are associated with traditional village tasks , such as religious leaders , politicians , farmers , leather workers , or other activities .

811 World Regional Geography Buddhism Around 535 in northern India , a prince by the name of broke from the local traditions that shaped and taught religious salvation through meditation , the rejection of earthly desires , and reverence for all life forms , is recognized as the first Buddha . He taught that through many cycles of rebirth a person can attain enlightenment and no longer have a need for desire or selfish interests . Enlightenment is being free from suffering and is reaching a state of liberation often referred to as Nirvana . Buddhism is considered a faith that concerns following a path of duty for a proper life . According to Buddhism , life is dictated by karma , which connects our actions with future experiences , Buddhism spread across the Indian Subcontinent after the sixth century and became the region dominant religion within years . However , since that time , the religion has diminished in the Indian Subcontinent , although it has seen some revival under the of Buddhist scholars . Buddhism in the northernmost areas of India . Figure Statue of Buddha at , India

Religions of India and South Asia 812 Man Untitled BY . Buddhism is the majority religion in , Sri , Tibet , and most of Southeast Asia . It was prominent in China , and North Korea before their governments adopted Communist ideology . Communist governments officially announced that their countries were nonreligious , although many people still followed religious systems . Various branches of Buddhism have developed , with many schools established within each branch . Buddhism can be divided geographically into southern , northern , and eastern Buddhism . Scholars and Buddhists practitioners may arrive at various methods of classification of the various schools of thought within the Buddhist faith the geographic basis of recognition provides only one way to understand the variations within the religion . One feature common throughout all branches of the faith is that Buddhism does not have caste levels . The southern branch of Buddhism is known as Buddhism ( the Teaching of the Elders ) most prominent in Southeast Asia and Sri . This branch , referred to as the oldest branch of Buddhism , attempts to follow the original Buddha teachings . Meditation and concentration are seen as keys to enlightenment . Spiritual forces do exist but it is up to the individual to attain his or her own path toward awakening . The northern variety of Buddhism is associated with the Buddhist tradition and is often called Tibetan Buddhism . It has its strongest allegiance in Tibet , Western China , Nepal , and parts of . Rooted in the Buddha original teaching , Northern Buddhism seeks to break out of the cycle of birth , death , and rebirth . Spiritual techniques are often used , along with the main principle of meditation . Buddhism is considered by some to be a branch of Buddhism . In the east , the main form of Buddhism is the tradition , which is most common in Japan , Korea , parts of Vietnam , and eastern China . There are various forms of the eastern traditions , including Zen Buddhism . Meditative in nature , there is a strong emphasis on universal compassion , altruism , and selflessness . Considered by many to be compatible with other religions , it is often touted as more a lifestyle than a religion . The meditative activities are often said to focus on calming the body and mind , which can provide a positive outcome for anyone seeking inner direction , even those following other religions . All branches of Buddhism teach nonviolence , honesty , selflessness , tolerance , and moral living . Buddhism holds to the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path ( The Middle Way ) to enlightenment . Suffering is a standard component of humanity . Only through the Eightfold Path to enlightenment is freedom from suffering possible . Enlightenment comes through wisdom , ethical conduct , and meditation . Buddhism has become the world fourth main religion , with most of its followers in Asia .

813 World Regional Geography The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path The Four Noble Truths . Suffering exists . Suffering arises from attachment to desires . Suffering ceases when desire ceases . Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Eightfold Path . The Middle Way or Eightfold Path Attainable through wisdom . Right view . Right intention Attainable through ethical conduct . Right speech . Right action . Right livelihood Attainable through meditation . Right effort . Right mindfulness . Right concentration

Religions of India and South Asia 814 Other Religions of South Asia Islam Islam diffused to South Asia from the Middle East through traders and merchants shortly after its creation . The Mogul Empire dominated northern India for centuries and is an example of the Islamic presence in the region . India has the largest Muslim minority in the world . In 2010 , India had an estimated population of 140 million Muslims , which made up about 14 percent of the population . India has the Muslim population in the world , after Indonesia and Pakistan . Most Muslims in India live in the north along the Ganges River Basin and in Nepal . There is also a large Muslim population in eastern India near the border with . Kashmir , in northern India , also continues to hold a significant Muslim population . Christianity Christianity is India religion , practiced by about percent of the population . Christianity is a monotheistic religion following the teachings of Jesus Christ that originated in the Middle East . Tradition has it that Christianity first came to India through CE missionary activity linked to the Apostle Thomas , and later arrived to other parts of India through the activities of western missionaries from 1500 CE onward . A major Christian stronghold is the state and city of Goa on the southwest coast , a colony of Portugal from the to the . There is also a strong Christian presence in eastern India , in the region bordering .

815 World Regional Geography or Dharma is a spiritual , religious , and philosophical tradition in India that dates back to about the ninth century . followers of ) believe that their religion origins extend back to the distant past . A is a follower of ( the saints ) who are humans who have rediscovered the dharma ( or the way ) and have become fully liberated . These can then teach this spiritual path to other people . A major characteristic of is the emphasis on the consequences of physical and mental behavior . There are about five million in India , and others around the world . Great care must be taken while going about one daily life , as believe that everything is alive and that many beings ( including pests such as insects ) possess a soul . All life is considered worthy of respect and all life is equal and deserves protection , especially the life of the world smallest creatures . While in India , you can recognize , because many of the strictest adherents will wear masks to prevent themselves from inhaling insects and thus destroying the insects souls . are a religious minority , with around five million followers in India . All followers of are vegetarians . Their diet is part of the practice of nonviolence at the heart of their religion . They will eat only food items such as fresh fruit , vegetables , cereals , and legumes . Most root vegetables such as potatoes and onions are avoided by the more devout because of the harm that would be done to the plants themselves or other organisms in the soil when the roots are pulled . Additionally , will not eat honey , consume any food that may have fermented overnight , or drink water that has not been filtered . was previously discussed in the section on the Punjab , the region at the center of the community . is a monotheistic religion centered on justice and faith . In , salvation can be obtained through devotion to God and through disciplined meditation . There is a high importance placed on the principle of equality between all people in the religion . There should be no discrimination on the basis of gender , creed , caste , or ethnicity every person is equal . The writings of former gurus are the basis for the religion . The center of the religion is found in the Golden Temple , in the city of , in the Punjab . This is where gather to unite in the faith and associate with each other . There are about million in the world , and about of them live in the Punjab state of India .

Religions of India and South Asia 816 ' i Faith Figure ' i Faith Lotus Temple in New Delhi India has the largest population of i in the world . Commons BY . The i Faith is found in many large urban areas of the Indian Subcontinent , particularly New Delhi , where a large temple complex is found . This temple is commonly known as the Lotus Temple based on its shape , which looks like a large lotus flower , Two million is live within India , which has the largest population of is in the world . Iran has the i population in the world , There is also a major i temple and center in Haifa , Israel . The i Faith was founded by in Persia ( Iran ) during the nineteenth century CE . This religion focuses on the spiritual oneness of humanity and the unity of the other major world religions .

817 World Regional Geography originated in Iran ( or Persia ) in fact , it was once the dominant religion of Greater Iran , but it has now dwindled to about two hundred thousand around the world , with concentrations in Iran , India ( primarily Mumbai ) and Pakistan ( primarily and Lahore ) follows the teachings of the prophet ( also known as or ) This philosophy acknowledges the divine authority of Ahura ( as proclaimed by . One of the tangible forms of this religion is the use of fire as a purifying agent in ceremonies . The temples are commonly known as fire Additionally , because of a prohibition of burials of bodies in the ground , allow natural exposure of bodies to the elements in structures known as Towers of The greatest numbers of followers of can be found in India , with additional numbers in southern Pakistan . Key Takeaways is one of the world oldest religions . There is no one specific path in the religion . is more of a religious tradition based on core concepts than it is a formal religion . The caste system is a Hindu practice of placing people in social layers with similar occupations , privileges , and status . The untouchables are the lowest caste . Buddhism was created around 535 from the traditions that shaped by , who taught religious salvation through meditation , the rejection of earthly desires , and reverence for all life forms . There is no caste system in Buddhism , which has a number of branches that vary throughout Asia . Islam and Christianity are the and religions in India but did not originate in South Asia . and got their start in South Asia and are still practiced by millions of people . The i Faith and are also active in India . Discussion What are the major religions in India in terms of population percentage ?

What are four of the main concepts of ?

How is yoga related to ?

Who are the three main deities in the Hindu tradition ?

What are each of these three associated with ?

Is the caste system a centripetal force or a centrifugal force ?

In other words , does it divide or unite India ?

What is the relationship between and the Ganges River ?

What are used for ?

What is the caste system based on ?

How does one become a member of a caste level ?

Does the United States have a caste system ?

What other countries or groups have levels ?

What is the difference between and Buddhism ?

Who started Buddhism , and when ?

What are the three main branches of Buddhism , based on geographic location ?

53 What are the general aspects of ?

How is this religion different from Islam ?

Material Chapter Summary . The Himalayan Mountain ranges border South Asia to the north . Nepal is located along this border and is somewhat of a buffer state between India and China . Nepal has a high population growth rate . Most of its people work in agriculture . Deforestation is a major environmental concern and causes erosion of the landscape . Landlocked and poor , Nepal struggles to maintain a stable government and adequate public services . South Asia was colonized by Britain for ninety years . Colonialism brought a structured administration , a railroad system of transportation , and large port cities used for the export of goods from the interior . The political borders were established for South Asia by British , based on religious affiliation and economic advantages . The British elevated from the Punjab to help rule over the Hindu and Muslim populations . English is widely used as a lingua franca . Conflicts continue in mountainous Kashmir and tropical Sri . Kashmir remote territory in the northern part of the realm is divided between Pakistan , China , and India . All three countries have nuclear weapons . Sri majority Buddhist population is and is based in the southwest , controlling most of the island . Sri minority Tamil population is Hindu and is based out of the Peninsula in the northeast . The Tamil want their own country and have claims on the island . Port cities of South Asia are centers for international trade and development . There is a wide disparity between the rural poor and the affluent elites . India has been developing a strong economy based on a growing information sector , health care , and manufacturing . Motor vehicles and computer technologies are emerging in India and competing worldwide . Pakistan economy struggles under the high population growth and Islamic extremism in the country . Pakistan and were once under the same government . was formerly East Pakistan . These Muslim countries have extremely high population densities and have agrarian economies . The River flows through Pakistan and the two rivers of the and the Ganges flow through . Monsoon flooding is a serious concern for earthquakes have caused serious damage in Pakistan . Hindu and Buddhist traditions first developed in South Asia . India has the most of the world Hindu followers . The concept of the caste system has created socioeconomic layers in the culture that are being tempered by high urbanization rates . Buddhism has a number of branches that can be geographically identified as eastern , northern , and southern . and Sri have Buddhist majorities . South Asia is 818

819 World Regional Geography also home to and . Islam is strong in South Asia Pakistan is the world Muslim country , India has the world Muslim population , and is a Muslim country as well . South Asia is also home to a Christian minority in addition to various other minority religious groups .