World Geography / Unit 9: Southwest, South and Central Asia
9.4 South Asia
Notes
- Countries and capitals: India (New Delhi), Pakistan (Islamabad), Bangladesh (Dhaka), Nepal (Kathmandu), Bhutan (Thimphu), Sri Lanka (Colombo is the largest city), Afghanistan (Kabul) and the Maldives (Malé).
- Hinduism is the majority religion in India and Nepal; Islam in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan; Buddhism in Bhutan and Sri Lanka; Sikhism began in Punjab.
- In 1947, British India was partitioned into India and Pakistan (East Pakistan became Bangladesh in 1971). The status of Kashmir is disputed between India and Pakistan.
- India has many languages; Hindi and English are national-level languages and many others are regional.
- The caste system is a traditional social hierarchy, now outlawed as discrimination in India's constitution.
Practice
What is the capital of India?
New Delhi is India's capital; Mumbai and Kolkata are large cities but not the capital.
In 1947 British India was divided into
Bangladesh became independent from Pakistan in 1971.
Which of these is a disputed territory in South Asia?
India and Pakistan both claim parts of it.
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