Southern Asia

Not to be confused with Southeast Asia or East Asia.

Climate zones of South Asia

Southern Asia (or South Asia) is the southern part of the continent of Asia.There are 8 countries that are generally included in this region. It is surrounded by (clockwise) West Asia, Central Asia, Eastern Asia, Southeastern Asia and the Indian Ocean. Countries in this part of the world are as follows:

• Afghanistan
• Bangladesh
• Bhutan
• Myanmar
• India
• Maldives
• Nepal
• Pakistan
• Sri Lanka
• Iran

Map of countries most often or rarely included in the Southern Asian UN Region.

The natural resource most used by the people is the rich land. Most of the people living there are farmers. They produce a lot of cashews, rice, peanuts, sesame seeds, and tea. A lot of natural gas is 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. In India, the cattle are very important to the environment because the manure is a fertilizer for farmers.

The climate of South Asia can be divided into three basic types: tropical, dry, and temperate. The northeast is from tropical to subtropical. Moving west the moisture and elevation change, causing a steppe and a desert climate like in the Middle East. There is also a steppe climate in the center of the lower peninsula. Two parts of the South Asian climate especially affect the people. One is the monsoon. 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 and kill and injure people. 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.

Related pages

• Central Asia
• East Asia
• Southeast Asia
• West Asia
• Indian subcontinent

Other websites

• "The Countries of South Asia". World Atlas. 23 February 2021.

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