subcontinents

Subcontinents are large landmasses that are part of a continent but are treated as a distinct geographical, cultural, or historical region. The term is informal and imprecise, not a formal geographic category, but it is frequently used to describe regions with shared geographies, climates, or histories that set them apart within a larger continental context. The concept is especially common in discussions of South Asia.

The most widely recognized subcontinent is the Indian subcontinent, which encompasses India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives; Afghanistan is sometimes included depending on context. Boundaries are not strictly defined, but the region is typically bounded by the Himalayan mountain range to the north, the Indian Ocean to the south, and the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal to the west and east, with surrounding plate tectonics and cultural linkages.

Geologically, the subcontinent is associated with the Indian Plate, which collided with the Eurasian Plate to create the Himalayas. This separation in geological history informs distinctive climatic patterns, such as the South Asian monsoon, and biodiversity.

Historically and culturally, subcontinents have developed distinct languages, religions, and civilizations within the broader continental framework. The concept helps explain patterns of settlement, colonial history, and regional identities within continents.