subcontinental

Subcontinent is a geographic term used to describe a large landmass that forms a distinct part of a continent. It is most commonly applied to the Indian subcontinent in South Asia, a contiguous and culturally connected region that includes the Indian mainland and its neighbors. The set of states typically associated with the subcontinent includes India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh; Nepal and Bhutan are often included, while Sri Lanka and the Maldives are sometimes treated as part of the subcontinent in cultural discussions. Afghanistan is occasionally grouped with the broader South Asian region.

Geographically, the subcontinent is bounded to the north by the Himalayas, to the south by the Indian Ocean, with the Arabian Sea to the west and the Bay of Bengal to the east. It sits on the Indian Plate, whose collision with the Eurasian Plate created the Himalayas. The terrain ranges from high mountain ranges to vast plains, deserts, and plateaus. The region has a monsoon-driven climate and contains several major river systems, including the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra basins.

The subcontinent has a long history of civilizations and empires, including the Indus Valley Civilization and successive states that fostered cultural and linguistic diversity. It is home to several major religions and widespread linguistic traditions, and it played a central role in transregional trade, science, and arts. In the modern era, the term remains common in cultural and historical writing, while politically the region is often referred to as South Asia.

In summary, the term subcontinent denotes a culturally and geographically distinct part of Asia, with usage that overlaps with but is not identical to contemporary geopolitical terms.