A Closer Look at South Asia…
Fatima Quadri’11
South Asia is made up of eight culturally rich countries. South Asia is also comprised of various climates, languages, religions, people, and much more. Each issue, there will be a spotlight on each country listed here, giving details about its past, present, and what can be seen for the future. But for now, just as a start, here is a little taste of each country’s uniqueness:
India:
Population: over 1.1 billion
Capital: New Delhi
Official Language: Hindi and English
Interesting Info:
- India produces the most movies in a year (Heard of Bollywood?)
- India is one of the world’s ancient civilizations
- India is the world’s largest democracy
- India is the second most populated country in the world after China
- One of India’s most famous attractions is the Taj Mahal, built by Shah Jahan, a mughal emperor, in the honor of his wife hundreds of years ago. It is even listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Pakistan:
Population: over 160 million
Capital: Islamabad
Official Language: Urdu and English
Interesting Info:
- Benazir Bhutto, elected as president of Pakistan in 1988, was the first woman to lead a Muslim country.
- Pakistan is the second most populous Muslim country after Indonesia.
- The national sport of Pakistan is field hockey.
- One of Pakistan’s major attractions is the Shalimar Gardens, built by Shah Jahan, the same mughal emperor responsible for the Taj Mahal in India.
Bangladesh:
Population: over 150,000,000…150,448,339
Capital: Dhaka
Official Language: Bangla
Interesting Info:
- Bangladesh is the fourth most populous Muslim country.
- Bangladesh was once known as East Pakistan before it was granted independence in 1971.
- Kabadi is the national sport of Bangladesh.
- Slightly smaller than Iowa.
Sri Lanka:
Population: over 21 million
Capital: Colombo
Official Language: Sinhala
Interesting Info:
- First country in the world to have a female prime minister
- Cinnamon is originated from Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka is the world’s leading exporter in tea
- The majority of Sri Lanka’s residents are Buddhist; 70% of the population is a follower.
Nepal:
Population: over 30 million
Capital: Kathmandu
Official Language: Nepali
Interesting Info:
- The flag of Nepal is a double triangle as opposed to the traditional rectangle.
- The birthplace of Buddha, is located in Nepal
- Nepal is the home to the deepest gorge in the world
- Nepal is also the home to the tallest mountain in the world: Mt. Everest.
Myanmar (Burma)
Population: over 50 million
Capital: Nay Pyi Taw
Official Language: Burmese
Interesting Info:
- Myanmar used to be known as Burma until 1989
- Largest country in Southeast Mainland
- Myanmar’s area is bigger than that of Texas and France
- 49% of the country is covered in forest
Bhutan:
Population: over 2 million
Capital: Thimpu
Official Language: Dzhongka
Interesting Info:
- In Sanskrit, Bhutan means “highlands”
- Bhutan was recognized as a country by the United Nations in 1971
- Archery is the national sport
- In 1973, Bhutan issued stamps that were actually mini phonographic records that played native folk songs on record players
Maldives:
Population: over 380,000
Capital: Male
Official Language: Dhivehi
Interesting Info:
- Maldives is made up of over 1,000 islands; only about 250 are habited
- Maldives is the world’s flattest country
- It is illegal to import alcohol
- It is about 1.7 size of Washington D.C
Afghanistan:
Population: over 31 million
Capital: Kabul
Official Language: Pashto and Dari
Interesting Info:
- Afghanistan translates into “Land of the Afghans” in Persian
- Before the 1770’s when Kabul became the capital, Kandahar used to be the capital of Afghanistan
- Afghanistan is slightly larger than Ukraine
- Sometimes Afghanistan is associated with Central Asia or even the Middle East