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South Asia facts for kids

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South Asia
South Asia (orthographic projection)
Area 5,134,641 km2 (1,982,496 sq mi)
Population 1,814,014,121 (2018) (1st)
Population density 362.3/km2 (938/sq mi)
GDP (nominal) $3.461 trillion (2018)
GDP (PPP) $12.752 trillion (2018)
GDP per capita $1,908 (nominal)
$7,029 (PPP)
HDI Increase0.642 (medium)
Ethnic groups Indo-Aryan, Iranian, Dravidian, Sino-Tibetan, Austroasiatic, etc.
Religions Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism
Demonym South Asian
Countries
Dependencies
Languages
Time zones
Internet TLD .af, .bd, .bt, .in,
.lk, .mv, .np, .pk
Calling code Zone 8 & 9
Largest cities
UN M49 code 034 – Southern Asia
142Asia
001World

South Asia or Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan SAARC countries and, for some authorities, adjoining countries to the west and east. Topographically, it is dominated by the Indian Plate, which rises above sea level as Nepal and northern parts of India situated south of the Himalayas and the Hindu Kush. South Asia is bounded on the south by the Indian Ocean and on land (clockwise, from west) by Western Asia, Central Asia, East Asia and Southeast Asia.

The current territories of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka form South Asia. The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is an economic cooperation organisation in the region which was established in 1985 and includes all eight nations comprising South Asia.

South Asia covers about 5.2 million km2 (2 million mi2), which is 11.71% of the Asian continent or 3.5% of the world's land surface area. The population of South Asia is about 1.891 billion or about one fourth of the world's population, making it both the most populous and the most densely populated geographical region in the world. Overall, it accounts for about 39.49% of Asia's population, over 24% of the world's population, and is home to a vast array of people.

In 2010, South Asia had the world's largest populations of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Jains and Zoroastrians. South Asia alone accounts for 98.47% population of global Hindus, 90.5% of global Sikhs, 31% of global Muslims, 35 million Christians and 25 million Buddhists.

Natural resources

The natural resource most used by the people is the rich land. Most of the people living there are farmers. They make lots of cashews, millets, peanuts, sesame seeds, and tea. Lots of natural gas are there, but these resources are usually underdeveloped. Many people there raise cattle and sheep. The cattle are raised for their milk or to carry things in Hindu areas.

Climate

The climate of South Asia can be divided into three basic kinds: tropical, dry, and temperate. The northeast is from tropical to subtropical (temperate). Moving west the moisture and elevation change, causing a steppe and a desert climate that is like the Middle East. There is also a part of steppe climate in the center of the lower peninsula. Two parts of the South Asia climate especially affect the people. One is the monsoons. These changing winds bring lots of the area's rain, so when they do not come early, the land becomes very dry. Hurricanes also happen every year and sometimes destroy many things. In the extreme north of India and Pakistan, the climate is affected by the mountains. There is a mild climate near the Indus river where farmers grow crops like rice and tea.

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Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Asia del Sur para niños

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