South Asia Today

Regions Home to nearly one-fourth of the world’s people, South Asia plays an important role in world affairs. is the world’s most populous democracy and is becoming one of the world’s largest economies. Pakistan, a major Muslim nation, is an ally of the United States in the war on terrorism, and its economy is growing as well. How do a country’s resources affect its role in world affairs?

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Tom Cockrem/Lonely Planet Images Section 1: India BIG IDEA Patterns of economic activity result in global interdependence. India is a vast country with a large and varied population. In recent years, India has become a key player in the global economy. Section 2: Muslim Nations BIG IDEA All living things are dependent on Outside Chennai, India one another and their surroundings for survival. Millions of people in Pakistan and Bangladesh make their living by farming. Natural disasters, such as flooding and drought, however, often threaten their livelihoods. Section 3: Mountain Kingdoms, Island Republics BIG IDEA Cooperation and conflict among people have an effect on the Earth’s surface. Ethnic and religious conflicts continue to be a challenge in South Asia’s mountain kingdoms and island republics.

Categorizing Information Make the Foldable below to help you organize information about the countries of South Asia today. Step 1 Fold an 11 x 17 Step 2 Then Step 3 Label Mountain Island India Pakistan Republics piece of paper length- fold it to form your Foldable Bangladesh Kingdoms wise to create four six columns. as shown. equal sections. Society

ernment Gov

Economy

Reading and Writing On your Foldable, take notes for each category under each of the areas listed. Use your notes to write a generalization about the region in the future.

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Tom Cockrem/Lonely Planet Images India

Patterns of economic activity result in global interdependence.

Content Vocabulary What do you think it might • green revolution (p. 656) be like to carry hundreds of bricks for up to • jute (p. 656) • cottage industry (p. 656) 12 hours per day? In India, brickworkers need • outsourcing (p. 657) plenty of energy to get through a workday, since they are paid based upon the amount Academic Vocabulary of work they do. The brick-making indus- • overlap (p. 653) try, however, provides men and women with • fundamental (p. 654) steady work and allows families to live and • professional (p. 657) work together at the plant site. India’s econ- Reading Strategy omy has grown dramatically in the past 40 Organizing Information Use a years. To learn more about India’s economy diagram like the one below to list key and how it is connected to—and dependent facts about India’s economy. upon—other nations, read this section.

Indian workers carrying bricks India’s Economy

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Amit Dave/Reuters/CORBIS India’s Government A Federal System India, like the United States, is a federal republic. In other words, power is shared MMainain IIdeadea India has a democratic between a national government and vari- government in the form of a federal ous state governments. The national gov- republic. ernment, located in the capital city of New Geography and You Can you recite the first words of Delhi, has certain clearly defined responsi- the U.S. Constitution? India’s constitution begins exactly bilities. These include defending the coun- the same way: “We the people. . . .” Keep reading to learn try and dealing with other countries. The more about the form, structure, and values of India’s fed- states have their own duties, such as car- eral government. rying out energy policies and providing police protection. With more than a billion people, India is The powers of the national and state the world’s largest democracy. Its citizens governments sometimes overlap, or cover rarely speak with one voice, because they some of the same areas. When a state law come from many different ethnic, cultural, conflicts with a national law, the national and religious backgrounds. Nevertheless, law must be followed. India’s government and political system India’s federal system includes 28 states are remarkably stable. that vary widely in area and population.

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Figure 1 Languages of India

70°E 90°E 110°E Official Languages N Assamese EAST ASIA Bengali PAKISTAN E W 0 400 kilometers Gujarati 30°N BHUTAN S Hindi N E 0 400 miles PA Albers Equal-Area projection Kannada L New Delhi Kanpur Marathi Malayalam BANGLADESH TROPIC OF CANCER Oriya Punjabi Ahmadabad Tamil Telugu (Calcutta) Other Mumbai State (Bombay) boundary Hyderabad 1 Place How many different Bay of Bengal Other official official languages are shown languages: English, Bengaluru on the map? Kashmiri, Sanskrit, (Bangalore) Sindhi, Urdu Chennai 2 Regions Which language is 10°N (Madras) spoken in the largest area of Arabian Sea INDIAN OCEAN India? SRI LANKA

Chapter 24 • 653 Several states are dominated by a particu- lar ethnic or religious group. Having their own states allows groups to focus on their unique needs and interests. India’s many languages, as shown in Figure 1 on the pre- vious page, also vary among the states. In addition to the states, India has seven union territories. These are small politi- cal areas directly under the control of the national government. The union territories include some of India’s cities and offshore islands. Structure of the Government India’s national government has much in common with our own. There are three branches of government—executive, leg- • islative, and judicial—that operate under Election Day in India the principle of separation of powers. This means that each branch of government has Election day in India is a national holiday. specific rights and responsibilities that the More than 670 million voters go to the polls to select other branches cannot interfere with. members of the People’s Assembly. Place How do India’s head of state is a president, but the the rights granted to citizens in India’s constitution differ from those guaranteed in the U.S. Bill of position is different in India and the United Rights? States. The duties of India’s president are mainly ceremonial. Executive power lies guarantees all citizens certain fundamental, with the prime minister, as it does in the or basic, rights—including freedom of United Kingdom. The prime minister leads speech and religion—much as the U.S. the government and sets policy. India’s Bill of Rights does. It also lists many more first prime minister was Jawaharlal Nehru rights, such as the right to preserve local (juh∙WAH∙huhr∙lahl NEHR∙oo), elected cultures and languages. In addition, the in 1947. His daughter, Indira Gandhi, was Indian constitution states certain duties. also prime minister. She led India for many For example, citizens must defend the years until her assassination in 1984. country when necessary and promote har- India’s legislature is made up of two mony among ethnic and religious groups. houses that make the laws. The larger house India’s democratic values remain strong. is the People’s Assembly. Its members are The country has a great influence on the elected directly by Indian voters. Members rest of Asia, and it is becoming a stronger of the smaller Council of States are chosen player in world affairs, too. by the prime minister or state legislatures. India’s Supreme Court interprets laws to see if they uphold the country’s consti- Analyzing Information tution. India’s constitution is one of the What are the roles of the president and prime longest and most detailed in the world. It minister in India’s government?

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Ami Vitale/Reportage/Getty Images A STRANGE AND SUBLIME ADDRESS Amit Chaudhuri By Amit Chaudhuri (1962– ) Amit here are several ways of builders and contractors had Chaudhuri was born in spending a Sunday eve- somehow overlooked, was usu- Calcutta (now ning. You could drive ally a meeting place for fireflies. Kolkata) and toT Outram Ghat, and then stroll . . . [Many people] had now educated in India and Great with your family by the River gathered in the field to watch Britain. Chaudhuri has writ- Hooghly. . . . You could stay at the seenema; a great piece of ten several novels and short home and listen to plays on the white cloth had been hung stories exploring life in mod- radio once the football com- between two poles at one end. ern India. mentary was over: comedies, After some time, giant black- melodramas, whodunits. and-white figures came alive on Background Sometimes Chhaya would the piece of cloth, and a white Information come in and say excitedly: funnel of light ran from the pro- In A Strange and Sublime “They’re showing a seenema jector to the screen; the audience Address, Chaudhuri describes in the field!” sat dwarfed by the indistinct the experiences of a boy “Seenema! What seenema?” majesty of the figures moving named Sandeep from Mamima would ask. before them. Voices, loud and Bombay (now Mumbai). “Street-Singer,” she would reply, elemental as thunder, boomed Sandeep is visiting Calcutta or the name of some other such from a scratchy soundtrack. and finds life in that eastern city different from what he is film made forty years ago. . . . From: A Strange and Sublime Address, in The boys would run up to Freedom Song, Amit Chaudhuri. New York: used to. Knopf, 1999. the terrace and lean out to look Reader’s Dictionary at the field that lay beyond the Outram Ghat: a waterfront professor’s house. This surpris- area in Calcutta ing piece of empty land, which River Hooghly: branch of the River on which Calcutta Analyzing Literature is located plays: radio programs 1. Making Inferences Do you think the movie is a football: soccer special event for the neigh- whodunits: mysteries borhood? Explain. Chhaya: a serving woman 2. Read to Write Write a seenema: cinema; a movie paragraph describing what you might do on a warm summer evening.  Chapter 24 • 655

(t) Jerry Bauer Photography, (b) Sucheta Das/Reuters/CORBIS India’s Economy

MMainain IIdeadea India has shifted from a largely government-run economy toward a free market economy. Geography and You Have you ever made a phone call asking for help with a computer software problem? If so, the person who helped you might have been living in India. Read to learn about India’s growing role in the world economy.

After India became independent, the government worked to improve the econ- Bollywood omy. At first the government brought much • of the country’s industry under its con- India’s movie industry is big business. trol. It also increased the amount of land “Bollywood” produces hundreds of movies each year that could be farmed. During the 1970s, and generates about $1.5 billion annually. Location the economy slowed. In hopes of boosting How has a free market economy benefited India? growth, India began moving toward a free market economy. The government reduced Indian farmers raise a variety of crops, its controls, and businesses were shifted including rice, wheat, cotton, tea, sugar- to private ownership. Foreign investment cane, and jute. Jute is a plant fiber used was also encouraged in order to create jobs. for making rope, burlap bags, and carpet Today India has one of the world’s most backing. rapidly growing economies. Even so, with India produces more than just agricul- such a large population, not enough jobs tural products. The country has rich depos- exist and many residents remain poor. its of coal and ranks as one of the world’s top coal producers. India also mines iron Agriculture and Related Industries ore, manganese, bauxite, and diamonds. Farming is an important economic activ- Fishing is becoming another important ity in India. Nearly 75 percent of Indian industry in coastal areas and river val- workers are farmers, and more than half of leys. In recent years, India’s government India’s land is used for farming. has promoted deep-sea fishing. It has built Today India produces most of the food processing plants and invested in ocean- it needs. It has benefited greatly from the going ships, and fish exports are in- green revolution, a set of changes that mod- creasing. ernized agriculture and greatly increased food production in the 1970s. New strains Manufacturing of wheat, rice, and corn were developed There are two types of manufacturing that produce more grains. The government industries in India: cottage industries and also built dams to store water for irrigation factory-based industries. Cottage industries during the dry season. involve people working in their homes and

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Joerg Boethling/Peter Arnold, Inc. using their own equipment to make goods. lar, are booming, especially in southern They craft pottery, spin and weave cloth, or Indian cities such as Hyderabad and Ben- create metal or wooden items. These items galuru (Bangalore). Many of India’s soft- can then be sold to individuals or to com- ware developers and tech support people panies for resale or export. work for American companies. In a prac- Most of India’s industrial goods, how- tice known as outsourcing, many Ameri- ever, come from factories. Textile facto- can businesses hire overseas workers to do ries produce quantities of cotton, jute, and certain jobs. Outsourcing work to India is synthetic, or human-made, fabrics. This popular because wages there are low and industry employs the most manufacturing because the country has large numbers of workers. Food-processing plants also pro- workers who are educated, skilled, and vide many jobs, although mainly around fluent in English. harvest time. Other factory workers are India also has a large number of doc- employed in heavy industry and make tors, scientists, and engineers with skills steel, locomotives, trucks, and chemicals. to apply. These professionals, too, are Factories in India also produce a variety of increasingly doing outsourced work. They electronic products such as televisions. perform research, writing, and other tasks for American companies. Services India’s service industries are growing faster than any other part of the economy. Making Connections How Computer software services, in particu- is India’s economy linked to the U.S. economy?

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Vocabulary Critical Thinking 1. Explain the significance of: 4. Analyzing Information In what way does a. green revolution c. cottage industry India’s government reflect the principle of b. jute d. outsourcing separation of powers? Main Ideas 5. What are three examples of economic links between India and other 2. Organizing Information Use a diagram like countries? the one below to show the organization and 6. Challenge Why do you think the ability to powers of the branches of India’s government. speak more than one language is important in Branch of Government Structure and Powers India’s growing economy? Writing About Geography 7. Using Your Use your Foldable to analyze how India’s economy makes use of the country’s resources. 3. Explaining Why do many Indians remain poor, even with a growing economy?

Chapter 24 • 657 Call Centers: Are They Good for India’s Workforce?

Because India has a young, well- Indians believe that call centers provide educated workforce and low salaries, experience working for international many foreign companies have estab- businesses. Others think that these jobs lished call centers there. Call center jobs take advantage of Indians and do not include answering customer questions provide the skills that are important for or entering data online. Many young working in a global economy.

Call Centers

I have been associated with three call centres,* and I find [Harish] Trivedi’s** depiction truly bizarre. What he sees as exploitation [unfair use] by multinationals [worldwide corporations], the young boys and girls see as an exciting chance to work with the world’s top brands and acquire new skills to make a career in the global economy. It is true that many work the night shift but so do 21.2 percent of all American workers. Yes it isn’t much fun to persuade someone . . . [in America] to pay his credit card bill, but it does build valuable negotiating skills. [Some] call centre employees do highly skilled back office jobs on-line—for example, medical students prepare medical dictionaries, accountants prepare payrolls. Is it better to have an idle son at home or a productive one at work? —Gurcharan Das The Times of India

*Centre is the British spelling of center. ** Das is referring to Harish Trivedi’s opinion on the next page.

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Sherwin Crasto/Reuters/CORBIS, Royalty-Free/CORBIS Call Centers

Indeed, so glamoured are many of them [Indians] by the prospect of working for a multinational [world- wide corporation] and so beguiled [excited] by what they imagine to be the American life-style swirling around their work-place, that they feel that they are already half-way to America. Except that, for most of them, the enchantment wears off sooner rather than later. Many find that they have no social life left to speak of, as they are at work when their friends and family are at home. Some develop long-term sleep disorders, and some take so much verbal abuse, day after day, from irate [angry] American customers that they actually need psychological help, which some call-centers have themselves [learned] to provide. The burn-out is high, the turnover is rapid, and the [mental] scars . . . run deep. . . . —Harish Trivedi Little India Magazine

YYouou BBee tthehe GGeographereographer

1. Summarizing In your own words, summa- 3. Read to Write Do you think working in call rize the opinions of Das and Trivedi. centers is good for young Indians? Write a 2. Critical Thinking Why is India appealing to paragraph that explains your opinion. foreign companies?

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Royalty-Free/CORBIS, Fredrik Renander/Alamy Images Muslim

All living things are dependent on one another and their surroundings Nations for survival.

Content Vocabulary Rows of vermicelli noodles • nationalize (p. 661) are hung out to dry in Bangladesh. The noo- • ship breaking (p. 664) dles are being prepared to celebrate the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. During Academic Vocabulary Ramadan, Muslims fast all day––they do not • temporary (p. 661) eat, drink, or even chew gum from dawn to • cooperate (p. 662) sunset. Muslims are expected to use this time • resolve (p. 664) to reflect on their spiritual lives. When Rama- Reading Strategy dan ends, Muslims celebrate their blessings Comparing and Contrasting Use with family and friends at Eid-al-Fitr, or the a Venn diagram like the one below to “Festival of Breaking the Fast.” Read this sec- compare and contrast the economies of Pakistan and Bangladesh. tion to learn more about the Muslim nations in South Asia. Pakistan Bangladesh Preparing food for a festival

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Rafiqur Rahman/Reuters/CORBIS Pakistan

MMainain IIdeadea Pakistan is a Muslim country that is playing an increasingly important role in world affairs. Geography and You How well do you get along with your neighbors? Read to find out about relations between Pakistan and the countries it borders.

Pakistan is a long, wide country wedged between Afghanistan, Iran, and India. Tall mountains rise in the far north, and the Indus River valley is located to the south. This area provides the fertile land Pakistan needs to support its growing population. The People With more than 160 million people, Pak- istan is one of the world’s most populous nations. Its population continues to grow Stock Trading in Pakistan • rapidly too. Although Pakistan’s death rate has declined, its birthrate is still very high. Pakistan’s stock market is vital to its growing Almost all the people of Pakistan are economy as leaders encourage local and foreign investment in business. Place What are Muslim. Their religion gives them a com- some of Pakistan’s major exports? mon bond, but it does not always bridge their cultural differences. Pakistanis come from many ethnic groups, and each one has grow crops such as sugarcane, wheat, rice, its own language, territory, and identity. and cotton. Cotton cloth and clothing are among the country’s major exports. Manu- The Economy facturing and service industries are another For many years, Pakistan’s govern- important part of the economy. Many peo- ment had a strong role in the economy. ple also work in cottage industries making In the 1970s, Pakistan’s industries were metalware, pottery, and carpets. nationalized, or put under government Even though Pakistan’s economy has control. Since the 1990s, however, many grown and incomes have risen, there are government-owned industries have been not enough jobs for everyone. Most Paki- sold to private owners. The government stanis are still poor. To escape poverty, mil- maintains control over certain parts of the lions of people leave Pakistan to become economy, such as banks, hospitals, and temporary workers in other countries. The transportation. money they send home helps support their About half of Pakistan’s people are farm- families and also boosts the local economy ers. A large irrigation system helps them in Pakistan.

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Syed Zargham/Getty Images boring Afghanistan. This government had supported terrorists. Some Pakistanis approved of Musharraf’s position, but others have protested it. In December 2003, Musharraf survived two assassination attempts. It was suspected that mili- tant Islamic groups within Pakistan were responsible for the attacks. Mush- arraf responded by cracking down on Islamic militants. He also promised to help •• Conflict in Pakistan the United States locate and capture Tal- iban and other militant Islamic forces along Pakistani soldiers display weapons taken from Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan. Islamic militants. A crowd protests U.S. air strikes Pakistan has also had trouble with against militants based in Pakistan (inset). Place What position does Pakistan’s leader take in the its eastern neighbor, India. Both coun- war on terrorism? tries claim the territory of Kashmir, and they have fought two wars for control of the area. Each country occupies a part of Government and Foreign Relations Kashmir and keeps troops there. In 1998 Like India, Pakistan is a federal repub- tensions rose when both countries success- lic. Democracy, however, is limited in Paki- fully tested nuclear weapons. The possi- stan. Since independence, the military has bility that Pakistan and India could start a often forced elected leaders out of office nuclear war worried many world leaders. and seized, or taken, power. This happened Since then, Pakistan and India have most recently in 1999, when General Pervez moved toward greater cooperation. In 2003 Musharraf (puhr∙VAYS moo∙SHAHR∙uhf) they agreed to a cease-fire in Kashmir. Two took over the government. Three years years later, they worked together to rebuild later, Pakistan’s people overwhelmingly after a powerful earthquake struck north- voted to keep him as president. ern Pakistan and Kashmir. The two coun- One of Musharraf’s most important tries also have agreed to closer trade ties. decisions was to join with the United States in the struggle against terrorism. In 2001 Summarizing Information Musharraf helped the United States over- Describe the relationship between Pakistan and throw the Taliban government in neigh- India.

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(l) Anjum Naveed/Pool/Reuters/CORBIS, (r) Shakil Adil/AP Images Bangladesh

MMainain IIdeadea The problems facing Bangladesh include overpopulation, severe poverty, and deadly floods. Geography and You Think about what might hap- pen if a natural disaster, such as a flood, struck your com- munity. Read to find out how natural disasters and other obstacles hinder Bangladesh’s development.

Bangladesh, established in 1971, is the “youngster” in South Asia. It is struggling for success as an independent nation, but • with a large population and few resources, Drying Fish it has not been easy. This processing plant in Bangladesh produces Bangladesh sits surrounded by India more than 3,000 tons of dried fish every year. on three sides, with the Bay of Bengal to Location What are the strengths and weaknesses the south. In area, Bangladesh is slightly of agriculture in Bangladesh? larger than Wisconsin, but it holds 144 mil- lion people—about half the population of drown crops and cause food shortages. As the entire United States. As a result, Bangla- a result, malnutrition affects many people desh is one of the most densely populated in Bangladesh. countries in the world. The Economy The People Most people in Bangladesh earn their Bangladesh’s people are largely Muslim. living by farming. The warm climate, fertile They are also overwhelmingly poor. About soil, and plentiful water make it possible to 75 percent of the people live in rural vil- plant and harvest three times a year. Rice is lages. In recent years, however, many peo- the country’s most important crop. Other ple have moved to crowded urban areas crops include sugarcane, jute, wheat, and to find work in factories and workshops. tea. Despite favorable growing conditions, Many go to Dhaka (DA∙kuh), Bangladesh’s Bangladesh cannot produce enough food capital and major port. for its growing population. Farmers have In urban and rural areas alike, people few modern tools, and they use outdated face serious threats from natural disas- farming methods. ters. The country is made up of lush, low Although Bangladesh has to import some plains crossed by the Brahmaputra and foodstuffs, it has a thriving clothing indus- Ganges Rivers. Heavy monsoon rains try that accounts for a large share of exports. cause the riverbanks to overflow almost yearly. Powerful cyclones can also cause flooding. Because of the country’s high Social Studies ONLINE population density, floodwaters can kill Student Web Activity Visit glencoe.com and complete the thousands of people at a time. Floods also Chapter 24 Web Activity about Bangladesh.

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Rafiqur Rahman/Reuters/CORBIS The clothing industry provides jobs to decided whether to use these reserves to nearly 2 million people, mainly women. meet the country’s own energy needs or to In the past, children also worked in this earn money by selling natural gas abroad. industry, but the government has moved to end child labor. Relations With Other Countries Ship breaking is another profitable indus- Bangladesh tries to stay on good terms try for Bangladesh. Ship breaking involves with its neighbors. Tensions have some- bringing ashore and tearing apart large, times arisen with India, though, over use oceangoing ships that are no longer in ser- of the Ganges River, which flows through vice. The scrap metal is then sold for reuse both countries. Thus far, the countries have in steelmaking or construction projects. Ship resolved their disputes peacefully. breaking is dangerous work, but it offers Bangladesh also takes pride in being a needed income to thousands of people. main supplier of forces for United Nations Bangladesh’s economy will have to peacekeeping missions. In 2005 nearly grow in the future to provide enough jobs 10,000 Bangladeshi soldiers served as for its growing population. It is likely that peacekeepers overseas in Africa, Europe, agriculture will soon support only about a and Haiti. third of Bangladesh’s workers. One option for improving the economy may be increas- ing natural gas production. Large reserves Determining Cause and of natural gas were recently discovered in Effect Why can Bangladesh produce three rice Bangladesh. The government has not yet crops per year?

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Vocabulary Critical Thinking 1. Explain the meaning of nationalize and ship 4. Making Inferences How democratic is Paki- breaking by using each term in a sentence. stan’s government? Explain your answer. Main Ideas 5. Why do most people in Bangladesh depend on the land to live? 2. Explaining What new policy did President 6. Challenge Describe changes Pakistan could Musharraf of Pakistan adopt? How do Paki- make to support its growing population. stan’s people view that policy? 3. Summarizing Information Use a diagram Writing About Geography like the one below to summarize key facts 7. Expository Writing Write a paragraph eval- about the people of Bangladesh. uating Pakistan’s economic progress.

Bangladesh’s Population

664 • Chapter 24 Mountain

Cooperation and conflict among people have an effect on the Earth’s Kingdoms, surface.

Content Vocabulary Island • consumer goods (p. 666) • tsunami (p. 668) Republics Academic Vocabulary • link (p. 666) According to Buddhist • discriminate (p. 667) teaching, sand mandalas are thought to bring positive energy to people who view them. Reading Strategy Mandalas can be made of sand, ground marble, Evaluating Information Use a chart or powdered flowers, herbs, or grains. After like the one below to list an important issue facing each country, and explain the mandalas are created, the sand is poured its significance to that country. into a nearby stream or river. It is believed that

Issue Signifi cance the water will transmit the positive power of 1. 1. the mandala to others. Continue reading to 2. 2. learn more about traditions in South Asia. 3. 3.

Sand mandala in Bhutan

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Jeremy Horner/CORBIS 10 highest mountains, including Mount Nepal and Bhutan Everest. Hills, valleys, and a fertile river plain are also part of the landscape. MMainain IIdeadea Limited resources and More than 85 percent of Nepal’s peo- political unrest have held back devel- ple live in rural villages. Kathmandu opment in Nepal and Bhutan. (kat·man·DOO), the capital, is the only Geography and You Imagine not having books, major city. Many ethnic groups make up paper, or pens when you go to school. How successful the population. is Nepal’s offi- do you think you would be? Read to learn how a lack of cial religion, but Buddhism is practiced as resources affects Nepal and Bhutan. well. Nepal’s economy depends almost Nepal and Bhutan are small, mountain- entirely on farming. Farmers grow rice and ous kingdoms to the north of India. Both other crops on small patches of land. Unfor- are still largely rural and struggling to tunately, the need for new fields leads to the build stronger economies. clearing of forests, which causes erosion. Valleys often flood, fields are destroyed, Nepal and rivers fill with mud. Not only does the Nepal forms a steep stairway to the environment suffer, but so do the people Himalaya. In the north are 8 of the world’s who earn a living from the land. Tourism and trade, however, help the economy. For centuries, Nepal had no • links to other countries because the moun- Outfitting Travelers • tains formed a strong barrier. Today, there are roads and air service to India and Pak- istan. Nepal exports clothing and carpets, and it imports gasoline, machinery, and consumer goods—products that people buy for personal use. In recent years, Nepal has been torn by political conflict. The king has been locked in power struggles with pro-democracy groups and also with communist rebels. The instability in government has made it difficult for Nepal to strengthen its econ- omy. Even with substantial foreign aid, the country remains desperately poor. Bhutan East of Nepal is tiny Bhutan, about half the size of Indiana. As in Nepal, the Hima- Business owners in Kathmandu benefit from the laya are Bhutan’s major landform. Thick tourist industry, as more than 300,000 people flock to Nepal each year to explore the landscape. Place forests cover the foothills. To the south— How do you think political unrest in Nepal might along Bhutan’s border with India—lie impact its economy? plains and river valleys.

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Paul Dymond/Lonely Planet Images Island Republics

MMainain IIdeadea Sri Lanka and Maldives have growing economies sustained partly by tourism, but ethnic and politi- cal conflict is a problem in Sri Lanka. Geography and You What kind of place would you like to visit for a vacation? Read to find out why tourists enjoy Sri Lanka and Maldives.

South Asia includes two island repub- lics: Sri Lanka and Maldives. Both lie south of India in the Indian Ocean. • Birthday Celebration Sri Lanka These marchers are taking part in an annual Sri Lanka lies off the southeastern coast parade to celebrate the king of Bhutan’s birthday. of India. Much of the country is rolling Place What ethnic conflict is occurring in Bhutan? lowlands, with white sandy beaches that attract tourists. Highlands cover the cen- Once isolated by mountains, Bhutan is ter, and tourists come here, too, to hike on still difficult to travel to, and the country is nature trails that are rich with wildlife. struggling economically. Most of Bhutan’s For many years, Sri Lankans have people live in remote rural villages and are farmed. In lowland areas, they grow food subsistence farmers. However, roads now crops, especially the rice that people eat link Bhutan to the outside world. With daily. At higher elevations are large plan- India’s help, Bhutan has built hydroelec- tations of rubber trees, coconut palms, and tric plants to create electricity from rush- the Ceylon tea that is a famous export. ing mountain waters. Tourism is a growing Sri Lanka’s economy is becoming more industry, but the government limits the industrialized. Factories produce textiles, number of tourists to protect Bhutan’s cul- fertilizers, cement, leather goods, and tural traditions. wood products for export. Sri Lanka also Most of Bhutan’s people belong to the exports sapphires, rubies, and other gem- Bhutia ethnic group and are faithful Bud- stones. Colombo, the largest city, is a busy dhists. Tensions are high between the port on the country’s western coast. Bhutia and the smaller Nepali group, who Sri Lanka’s people are made up are mostly Hindu. The Nepali complain of two main groups. The Sinhalese of discrimination during years of rule by (sihng∙guh∙LEEZ), who form about 74 powerful Buddhist kings. Recently, though, percent of the population, live in the south Bhutan has moved toward democracy. and west and are mostly Buddhist. The Tamils (TA∙muhlz), who make up about 17 percent of the population, live in Describing Describe the other parts of the country and are mainly economies of Nepal and Bhutan. Hindu.

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Michael Melford/National Geographic Image Collection Since 1983, the Tamils and the Sinha- Maldives lese have been fighting a violent civil war. About 1,200 coral islands make up the The minority Tamils claim they have not Maldive Islands, which lie southwest of been treated justly by the majority Sinha- India. None of the islands is more than lese. They want to set up a separate Tamil 6 feet (1.8 m) above sea level. Some sci- nation in northern Sri Lanka. Thousands entists believe that global warming will have died in the fighting. eventually cause ocean levels to rise and Adding to its troubles, Sri Lanka suf- completely cover the Maldives. fered its worst natural disaster in December About 360,000 people, mostly Muslims, 2004. A tsunami, or huge ocean wave, was live in Maldives. Some 80,000 of them released by a powerful earthquake near reside in the capital city of Male (MAY∙lay). Indonesia on the eastern edge of the Indian Farmers in Maldives can grow only a few Ocean. The tsunami struck Sri Lanka two crops in the sandy soil, so most food must hours later, killing more than 30,000 people be imported. In recent years, Maldives’s and leaving 850,000 homeless. Tourist areas palm-lined, sandy beaches and coral for- were damaged and much of the country’s mations have attracted many tourists. As a fishing fleet was destroyed. The thousands result, tourism is now the largest industry. of people who survived the disaster were Fishing and boatbuilding are other impor- in need of food, water, and medical care. tant economic activities. Governments and international aid orga- nizations responded to the tragedy with one of the largest relief efforts in modern Explaining How did the history. tsunami of December 2004 affect Sri Lanka?

Social Studies ONLINE Study Central™ To review this section, go to Section Review glencoe.com.

Vocabulary Critical Thinking 1. Explain the meaning of consumer goods and 4. Making Connections How has India helped tsunami by using each term in a sentence. Bhutan’s economy? Main Ideas 5. What effect might the civil war in Sri Lanka have on the country’s political 2. Summarizing What economic and social future? Why? changes have occurred in Bhutan recently? 6. Challenge Compare the strengths and weak- 3. Describing Use the following diagram to nesses of the economy of each country studied describe the two main ethnic groups in Sri in this section. Lanka. Sri Lanka: Ethnic Groups Writing About Geography 7. Expository Writing Describe the similarities and differences in the ethnic situations in Bhutan and Sri Lanka.

668 • Chapter 24 VVisualisual SummarySummary

India Bangladesh ● India is the world’s most populous ● Bangladesh is one of the democracy. world’s most densely populated countries. ● India is a federal republic with a central government, states, and ● Most Bangladeshis live in rural territories. areas and farm the land. ● India’s economy is based on ● Because of low elevation, farming as well as cottage and Bangladesh often faces flooding factory industries. from monsoon rains and cyclones. ● The computer software industry is a growing part of India’s economy.

Pakistan Precious gems, Sri Lanka ● Pakistan has many ethnic groups but is overwhelmingly Muslim. Island Republics ● Sri Lanka produces cash crops ● Pakistan has fertile land and but also has developed new energy resources, but its economy industries. is still developing. ● Sri Lanka’s Sinhalese and Tamil ● Democracy is limited, and military ethnic groups are engaged in a leaders have often ruled the civil war. country. Women picking tea, Bangladesh ● Tourism is a major industry in ● Pakistan is a key player in the war Maldives. against terrorism. Mountain Kingdoms Political protest, Nepal ● The Himalaya dominate the landscapes of Nepal and Bhutan. ● Most people in Nepal farm the land. ● Buddhism has shaped Bhutanese culture. ● Political conflict has divided Nepal in recent years.

Mother and daughter praying, Study anywhere, anytime! Download quizzes and Pakistan flash cards to your PDA from glencoe.com.

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(tr) Topham/The Image Works, (c) Howard Davies/CORBIS, (bl) Markus Kirchgessner/bilderberg/Aurora Photos, (br) Devendra Man Singh/AFP/Getty Images CHAPTER 24 STANDARDIZED TEST PRACTICE

TESTTAKING TIP

If you are stuck on a question, skip it temporarily. Return to the question once you have answered those you are more sure about. Do not forget to come back to the question before you turn in your test. If you are still not sure, take a guess.

Reviewing Vocabulary Reviewing Main Ideas Directions: Choose the word(s) that best completes the Directions: Choose the best answer for each question. sentence. Section 1 (pp. 652 –657) India has benefi ted greatly from changes known 1. 5. India’s government has three branches that oper- as that have modernized agricultural ate under the principle known as . practices. A communism A the green revolution B separation of powers B regulated production C monopoly of powers C cottage farming D combination of powers D outsourced farming 6. In recent years, India’s economy has shifted 2. In a practice known as , many American toward a economy. businesses hire workers in India to provide tech A government-run support and other services. B command A cottage industries C free market B insourcing D socialistic C outsourcing D protectionism Section 2 (pp. 660–664) 7. India and Pakistan have fought two wars over a territory called , which both countries 3. Products that people buy for personal use are claim. called . A Kashmir A boycotted goods B Musharraf B consumer goods C Indus C exported goods D Taliban D foreign goods Section 3 (pp. 665–668) 4. In 2004 a huge ocean wave called a killed 8. Eight of the world’s ten highest mountains, more than 30,000 people in Sri Lanka. including Mount Everest, are located in . A earthquake A Bhutan B cyclone B Pakistan C rip tide C Bangladesh D tsunami D Nepal

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670 • Chapter 24 ASSESSMENT

Critical Thinking Document-Based Questions Directions: Use the population pyramid below to help Directions: Analyze the document and answer the you choose the best answer for each question. short-answer questions that follow.

Expected Population of Pakistan, 2025 As global warming seems to be more of an obvious 80+ reality, Maldivian scientists and government offi cials alike are concerned about the eff ects of rising sea lev- 75–79 Male Female 70–74 els. Since the Maldives islands are on average 5 feet 65–69 (1.5 meters) above sea level, even a sea level rise of 60–64 half a meter would cause severe problems. . . . Not 55–59 only would fl ooding be a problem, but the seas may 50–54 rise so quickly that they could erode the coral islands. 45–49 If the reefs supporting an island fail to keep up with 40–44 the rising waters, the island itself will inevitably disin- Age 35–39 tegrate. To date the only recourse the Maldivians have 30–34 . . . are concrete retainer walls. While such walls have 25–29 eff ectively kept the sea at bay in a few key areas regu- 20–24 larly struck by high waves, constructing them around 15–19 dozens of inhabited islands would be . . . impossible 10-14 . . . for the relatively poor country. And no amount of 5–9 retainer wall would completely stave off [prevent] the 0–4 erosion of an island. 12 10 81068462402 12 —John Weier, “Amazing Atolls of the Maldives” Population (in millions) Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Data Base, 2006. 11. Why are rising sea levels such a concern to the people of the Maldives? 9. What will be true of Pakistan’s population? A Males and females in every age group will 12. How are the Maldivians handling the problem be equal. of rising waters? Why is this ineffective? B The population of males ages 65 to 69 will be more than 2 million. C Expected populations of older age groups Extended Response will outnumber those of younger age groups. 13. If you lived in the Maldives, you would be con- D Females under the age of 4 will number fewer cerned about global warming. Write a letter to a than 8 million. newspaper editor warning about the danger to your country. 10. What will be true of age groups in Pakistan? A Age groups will increase in size as they get older. STOP B The largest age group in 2025 will be 30–34. C The 20–24 age group will outnumber the 40–44 age group. Social Studies ONLINE D Males older than 75 will outnumber females For additional test practice, use Self-Check Quizzes— of the same age. Chapter 24 at glencoe.com.

Need Extra Help? If you missed question. . . 12345678910111213 Go to page. . . 656 657 666 668 654 656 662 666 661 661 668 668 668

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