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With more than a billion people, India is the worlds largest democracy. It is a federal republic, and the power is shared between the national and state governments. When the powers of the national and state governments overlap, the national law must be followed.
The smaller house of India legislature is Council of States, and the larger house is the Peoples Assembly.
It guarantees all citizens certain fundamental and general rights and also lists citizens duties.
Indias Economy
India has one of the worlds most rapidly growing economies, but with such a large population, not enough jobs exist and many residents remain poor. Nearly 75 percent of Indian workers are farmers, and more than half of Indias land is used for raising such crops as rice, wheat, cotton, tea, sugarcane, and jute.
Pakistan
Pakistan is a long, wide country wedged between Afghanistan, Iran, and India. Mountains rise in the far north, and the Indus River valley is located to the south.
This area provides the fertile land Pakistan needs to support its growing population.
Pakistan (cont.)
In the 1970s, Pakistans industries were nationalized, or put under government control.
Since the 1990s, however, many government-owned industries have been sold to private owners. Some of the government-controlled industries include banks, hospitals, and transportation.
Pakistan (cont.)
Pakistan is a federal republic, but democracy is limited. Since independence, the military has often forced elected leaders out of office and seized power as in 1999, when General Pervez Musharraf took over the government.
Pakistan (cont.)
Pakistan and India each claim the territory of Kashmir, and they have fought two wars for control of the area.
Each country occupies a part of Kashmir and keeps troops there.
Bangladesh
With a large population and few resources, Bangladesh, established in 1971, is struggling for success as an independent nation.
Bangladesh sits surrounded by India on three sides, with the Bay of Bengal to the south.
Bangladesh (cont.)
In area, the country is slightly larger than Wisconsin, but holds 144 million people, making it one of the most densely populated countries in the world.
Bangladesh (cont.)
Bangladeshs people are largely Muslim and are overwhelmingly poor.
About 75 percent of the people live in rural villages, but many people have moved to crowded urban areas, such as Dhaka, the capital and major port, to find work in factories.
Bangladesh (cont.)
Despite good growing conditions, Bangladesh cannot produce enough food for its people. Farmers have few modern tools, and they use outdated farming methods.
For these reasons, may people are affected by malnutrition.
Bangladesh (cont.)
Bangladesh has a thriving clothing industry that accounts for a large share of exports.
The clothing industry provides jobs to nearly 2 million people, mainly women. In the past, children also worked in this industry, but the government has moved to end child labor.
Bangladesh (cont.)
Large reserves of natural gas were recently discovered in Bangladesh, but the government has not yet decided whether to use these reserves to meet the countrys own energy needs or to earn money by selling the resource abroad.
Bangladesh (cont.)
Bangladesh takes pride in peacekeeping.
About 10,000 soldiers from Bangladesh serve as United Nations peacekeepers in twelve countries.
Tourism is a growing industry, but the government limits the number of tourists to protect Bhutans cultural traditions.
Island Republics
Sri Lanka lies off the southeastern coast of India. Much of the country is rolling lowlands, with white sandy beaches, but highlands cover the center of the country. The beaches and highlands attract tourists.
At higher elevations are large plantations of rubber trees, coconut palms, and the Ceylon tea that is a famous export. Also exported are gemstones such as sapphires and rubies.
Island Republics
Sri Lankas people are the Sinhalese, who form about 74 percent of the population and are mostly Buddhist, and the Tamils, who make up about 17 percent of the population and are mainly Hindu.