ABSTRACT

South Asia has developed from a group of newly independent post-Colonial states of at most secondary importance to the wider world to its current position as a region of central strategic importance to both global economic development and world peace and stability.

This Atlas highlights the global significance of South Asia in relation to economic, geopolitical and strategic interests. It provides a coherent descriptive and analytical account of the key elements of the complex societies that make up the region and its component countries. Illustrated with more than 100 original maps and offering concise entries on key issues, the book is structured thematically in these sections:

Global Context

Geographical Environments

Historical Evolution of South Asia

Key Issues in modern South Asia

Economy and Security

Designed for use in teaching undergraduate and graduate classes and seminars in geography, history, economics, anthropology, international relations, political science and the environment as well as regional courses on the South Asia, this book is also a comprehensive reference source for libraries and decision makers focusing on South Asia.

section A|27 pages

The Global Context

chapter 1|8 pages

South Asia and the World Powers

chapter 2|4 pages

South Asia and its Neighbours

chapter 3|4 pages

South Asia and the Muslim World

chapter 4|10 pages

South Asia

The Cultural Fabric

section B|51 pages

The Geographical Environments

chapter 6|4 pages

Mountains, Valleys and Plains

The Relief of South Asia

chapter 7|7 pages

South Asian Climates

chapter 8|18 pages

Water Resources

chapter 10|8 pages

Energy Resources

chapter 11|4 pages

Non-Energy Mineral Resources

section C|44 pages

The Historical Background

chapter 12|5 pages

The Settlement History of South Asia

chapter 13|4 pages

British and Princely India at Independence

chapter 15|22 pages

Independent South Asia

Contrasting Experiences of Governance

chapter 16|6 pages

South Asia

The Cold War Era

section D|119 pages

Key Issues in Modern South Asia

chapter 17|7 pages

Population Issues

Density and Growth

chapter 18|8 pages

Fertility and Mortality

chapter 19|6 pages

Urbanisation

chapter 20|6 pages

Health and Morbidity

chapter 21|6 pages

Literacy in South Asia

chapter 22|9 pages

South Asia's External Borders

The Legacies of an Imperial Past

chapter 23|11 pages

New Borders and Unresolved Disputes

The Post-Colonial Legacy

chapter 24|15 pages

South Asia's Water Resources

Reaching the Limits?

chapter 26|13 pages

Natural Disasters and Environmental Risk

chapter 27|10 pages

Environmental Security

Air and Water Pollution and Soil Degradation

chapter 28|12 pages

Climate Change in South Asia

section E|30 pages

Economy and Security

chapter 29|14 pages

The Economies of South Asia

chapter 30|10 pages

Defence and Security in South Asia

chapter 31|5 pages

South Asia

Entering an Era of Co-Operative Development?