 From the civilizations of 5,000 years ago to the present day, South Asia has hosted countless numbers of cultures, creating a land with diverse beliefs where modern concerns mesh with traditional values.
Comprising the nations of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan, South Asia encompasses a variety of geographical features. These mountains, deserts, and tropical climes have influenced both the history of the region and the lives of its people.The towering Himalayas cross the northern border of India and travel through Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. This mountain range is home to dozens of ethnic groups and for centuries has served as a natural defense to invaders.
Torrential monsoons drench South Asia every summer, bringing life to the region along with potentially disastrous floods.South Asia is home to five major world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Islam. All but Islam (which was brought to the region by Middle Eastern invaders) had their origins on the subcontinent.
 Religion is more than just a set of beliefs in South Asia — it is a way of life. Each of the major religions has guidelines for the lives of its followers, including regulations for diet, behavior, and dress.
One of the most powerful and influential of these regulations is the Hindu caste system. The caste system, though largely shaped by foreigners from central Asia known as Aryans, became deeply incorporated into Hindu tradition and created an enduring framework of ascribed social status. Although some Hindus consider the system antiquated, caste still permeates the South Asian landscape.
South Asia cruises
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