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Diego Astudillo
2023SP World Geography (GEO-101-098WB)
Professor Chu
4/29/23
South Asia Essay
South Asia consists of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives,
Bangladesh, and Bhutan. The region is bounded to the north by a series of mountain ranges. The
Hindu Kush Mountains to the northwest, the Karakoram Mountains to the central north, and the
Himalayas to the northeast. To the south of the range is the Indo-Gangetic Plain, formed by the
combined alluvial plains of the Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers, and to the north, which
runs parallel to the Himalayas. South Asia can be described as the birthplace of religions. South
Asia is home to one of the world’s earliest known civilizations. Two nuclear powers that quarrel
over Kashmir are India and Pakistan. The Indian Ocean is a crucial part of the world's geopolitical
area. The waters of the Indian Ocean, rich in oil and minerals, have become energy hubs in terms
of both supply and demand, which are slowly turning the engine of the global economy towards
Asia. South Asia is relevant in world geography today, its long and detailed history has made an
impact and molded the world to what we know it as today.
The Indus Valley Civilization, which is now one of the most densely populated regions on
earth. The history of religious life in South Asia begins with the Indus River and its tributaries.
The Indus was the earliest complex urban cultural center with evidence of the Indus Valley or
Harappan culture (2800-1500 BC). Some scholars postulate continuity between elements of
culture such as possible goddess of fertility worship and subsequent religious developments in
South Asia, including the growth of goddess worship in Hinduism. According to world history.org,
“. The total population of the civilization is thought to have been upward of 5 million, and its
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territory stretched over 900 miles (1,500 km) along the banks of the Indus River and then in all
directions outward. Indus Valley Civilization sites have been found near the border of Nepal, in
Afghanistan, on the coasts of India, and around Delhi, to name only a few locations”. It’s
interesting that with its over 900 miles, the Indus Valley civilisation was larger than the ancient
Egyptian civilisation, and that unlike other ancient civilisations, archaeologists have never found
any evidence of palaces or temples in the Indus Valley. It can be inferred that there were no priests
or kings.
India and Pakistan do not have a strong relationship, both countries have been at war over
claiming the territory of Kashmir. Kashmir is a territory with high mountains, which is surrounded
by China, India, and Pakistan. It is an ethnically diverse region of the Himalayas, that covers about
86,000 sq miles (222,738 sq km). Besides its snow capped mountains, Kashmir is home to
beautiful lakes and meadows. As stated by the text, “"When partition took place in 1947, the
existing States of British India were asked to decide whether they wanted to be incorporated into
India or Pakistan. It had about 5 million inhabitants at the time, nearly three-quarters of them
Muslims, but the maharajah of Kashmir himself was a Hindu. When he decided not to join Pakistan
and instead aimed to retain autonomous status, this was answered with a Muslim uprising
supported by Pakistan(pg 339)". India and Pakistan are embroiled in an almost constant battle for
control of the Kashmir region. Numerous proposals for the future of Kashmir but the Kashmir
conflict is much more complex. Major changes in Pakistani policy, along with India's willingness
to resume full-fledged and unjust negotiations need to take place in order to begin to put an end to
this conflict.
The Indian Ocean has a span which reaches 28 states and three continents. In total this
body of water covers 17.5% of global land area. In an economic standpoint, the Indian Ocean holds
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16.8% of the world's proven oil reserves, and 27.9% of the proven natural gas reserves. As
highlighted by airuniversity.af.edu, “The Indian Ocean has emerged as a critical conduit for trade,
commerce, and energy. The waters of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) have become a home for
economic developments, disputes, conflicts, and competition for regional influence by regional
and extra regional powers. All major powers, such as the United States, Australia, Japan, United
Kingdom, India, and China have sought stakes in the security of the IOR”. The Indian Ocean
provides a major contribution within trade routes connecting the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe
and the Americans. It’s important to understand that the Indian Ocean not only plays a major role
in helping the world economy run, but it is also home to many of the world's endangered sea
species. These include the loggerhead sea turtles, seals, dugongs, and whale sharks.
To conclude, the South Asia region and the body of water around it have and are an
essential factor within the world community as a whole. Recognized as the birthplace of religions,
South Asia has been a model for civilization to come. While there are lots of high points to come
out of South Asia, there are also some low ones too. The Kashmir situation is an excellent example
of this. In all, every country within South Asia is rich within culture, history and global influence/
impact.
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Work Cited
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Nijman, Jan. Geography: Realms, Regions, and Concepts, 18th Edition.
https://platform.virdocs.com/r/s/0/doc/1649719/sp/184193496/mi/582455878/?cfi=%2F4
%2F2%2F10%2F24%2F22%2F8%2F4%2F2%2F2%2C%2F1%3A0%2C%2F1%3A7.
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Mark,
Joshua
J.
“Indus
Valley
Civilization.”
World
History
Encyclopedia,
Https://Www.worldhistory.org#Organization,3Aug.2022,https://www.worldhistory.org/I
ndus_Valley_Civilization/.
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Ghosh, Priyanjoli. “India's Indian Ocean Region Strategy.” Air University (AU),
https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/JIPA/Display/Article/2331112/indias-indian-oceanregion-strategy/.