Overview

South Asia is a subregion of Asia located in the southern part of the continent, consisting of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. It is bordered by Western Asia, Central Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean to the south and the Himalayas, Karakoram, and Pamir mountains to the north. With a population of 1.9 billion, South Asia is the most densely populated region in the world, and is home to the world's largest populations of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Jains, and Zoroastrians. 

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established in 1985 to promote economic cooperation in the region.