This is an
essay. It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of
Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, as it has not been
thoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints. |
This page in a nutshell: There is repeated discussion over the usage of the terms "India," "Indian subcontinent," and "South Asia." The purpose of this essay is to collect advice and discussions on the usage of these terms: when is which term appropriate. In time, this essay may be upgraded to a style guideline. |
Republic of India Bhārat Gaṇarājya | |
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ISO 3166 code | IN |
South Asia | |
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Greater India | |
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India may refer to, or be used interchangeably with, Republic of India (Bhārat Gaṇarājya) (main usage), Indian subcontinent, South Asia, and Greater India.
India may refer to, or used interchangeably with:
In a historical context, India may also refer to:
The Indian subcontinent or the subcontinent, also called the Indian continent, is a southern region of Asia, mostly situated on the Indian Plate and projecting southwards into the Indian Ocean from the Himalayas. Geologically, the Indian subcontinent is related to the land mass that rifted from Gondwana and merged with the Eurasian plate nearly 55 million years ago. [1] Geographically, it is the peninsular region in south-central Asia delineated by the Himalayas in the north, the Hindu Kush in the west, and the Arakanese in the east. [2] Politically, the Indian subcontinent usually includes Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. [3] [4] [5]
Sometimes, the term South Asia is used interchangeably with Indian subcontinent. [6] There is no consensus about which countries should be included in each. [7] [8] [9]
South Asia or Southern Asia is a term used to represent the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan SAARC countries and, for some authorities, adjoining countries to the west and east. Topographically, it is dominated by the Indian Plate, which rises above sea level as Nepal and northern parts of India situated south of the Himalayas and the Hindu Kush. South Asia is bounded on the south by the Indian Ocean and on land (clockwise, from west) by West Asia, Central Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia.
The current territories of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka form South Asia. [10] The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is an economic cooperation organisation in the region which was established in 1985 and includes all eight nations comprising South Asia. [11]
The term Greater India is most commonly used to encompass the historical and geographic extent of all political entities of the Indian subcontinent, and the regions which are culturally linked to India or received significant Indian cultural influence.
Several terms are being used for the period of ca. 1500-500 BCE:
This greater India is well defined in terms of topography; it is the Indian sub-continent, hemmed in by the Himalayas on the north, the Hindu Khush in the west and the Arakanese in the east.
This is an
essay. It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of
Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, as it has not been
thoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints. |
This page in a nutshell: There is repeated discussion over the usage of the terms "India," "Indian subcontinent," and "South Asia." The purpose of this essay is to collect advice and discussions on the usage of these terms: when is which term appropriate. In time, this essay may be upgraded to a style guideline. |
Republic of India Bhārat Gaṇarājya | |
---|---|
ISO 3166 code | IN |
South Asia | |
---|---|
Greater India | |
---|---|
India may refer to, or be used interchangeably with, Republic of India (Bhārat Gaṇarājya) (main usage), Indian subcontinent, South Asia, and Greater India.
India may refer to, or used interchangeably with:
In a historical context, India may also refer to:
The Indian subcontinent or the subcontinent, also called the Indian continent, is a southern region of Asia, mostly situated on the Indian Plate and projecting southwards into the Indian Ocean from the Himalayas. Geologically, the Indian subcontinent is related to the land mass that rifted from Gondwana and merged with the Eurasian plate nearly 55 million years ago. [1] Geographically, it is the peninsular region in south-central Asia delineated by the Himalayas in the north, the Hindu Kush in the west, and the Arakanese in the east. [2] Politically, the Indian subcontinent usually includes Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. [3] [4] [5]
Sometimes, the term South Asia is used interchangeably with Indian subcontinent. [6] There is no consensus about which countries should be included in each. [7] [8] [9]
South Asia or Southern Asia is a term used to represent the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan SAARC countries and, for some authorities, adjoining countries to the west and east. Topographically, it is dominated by the Indian Plate, which rises above sea level as Nepal and northern parts of India situated south of the Himalayas and the Hindu Kush. South Asia is bounded on the south by the Indian Ocean and on land (clockwise, from west) by West Asia, Central Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia.
The current territories of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka form South Asia. [10] The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is an economic cooperation organisation in the region which was established in 1985 and includes all eight nations comprising South Asia. [11]
The term Greater India is most commonly used to encompass the historical and geographic extent of all political entities of the Indian subcontinent, and the regions which are culturally linked to India or received significant Indian cultural influence.
Several terms are being used for the period of ca. 1500-500 BCE:
This greater India is well defined in terms of topography; it is the Indian sub-continent, hemmed in by the Himalayas on the north, the Hindu Khush in the west and the Arakanese in the east.