Why is India called a subcontinent? Name the countries which form the Indian subcontinent.

A subcontinent is a big geographical unit that has different geographical features than the rest of the continent. The Indian subcontinent exhibits such features in the continent of Asia

(i) It covers 2.4% of the Earth’s total land area. It has a long land frontier of about 15200 km and coastline of about 7516.6 km.

(ii) Its natural frontiers like Himalayas in the North and the Deccan Peninsula in the South provide it a unique identity on the globe.

(iii) Its longitudinal and latitudinal extent is about 30° in both directions. The Himalayas separate is from the rest of Asia. It enjoys a unique climate, natural vegetation and culture.

The Indian subcontinent comprises India.

Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Maldives.