South Asia is very large, so it is further divided into two main regions—the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. A subcontinent is a part of a larger landmass.

Question

The chart below lists the countries in each region of South Asia. Compare each list of countries with the map in the previous section.

Indian Subcontinent

Southeast Asia

Mainland

Islands

Mainland

Islands

Afghanistan
Pakistan
India
Nepal
Bangladesh
Maldives
Sri Lanka
Bhutan
Myanmar (Burma)
Thailand
Laos
Cambodia
Vietnam
Malaysia
Singapore
Brunei
Indonesia
Philippines
Papua New Guinea
East Timor
East Asia has fewer countries than South Asia. Look at the map. As you can see, the largest nation in East Asia is China. In fact, China is the third-largest country (by land size) in the world. In English, the official name of China is People’s Republic of China. China is divided into provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions. An autonomous region is one that has the power to govern itself.

Xigaze, a town in Tibet

Xigaze, a town in Tibet

Tibet is one well-known region of China. Tibet lies just north of Nepal and Bhutan. China ruled Tibet from the 1700s to 1911, when Tibet won its independence. China took control of Tibet again in 1951.

The second-largest country in East Asia is Mongolia. Mongolia is located just south of Russia and north of China. Mongolia was once considered part of China, and was known as Outer Mongolia. It is now an independent country.

North Korea and South Korea are two smaller nations in East Asia. They are located just east of northern China. Until 1945, these two nations were part of the same country—Korea. But at the end of World War II, the country was divided for political reasons. As World War II ended, the northern part of Korea wanted to maintain ties with Russia. The southern part wanted to maintain ties with the United States. The boundary between north and south was set at the 38th parallel, or line of latitude. This created two new nations. North Korea is larger in area than South Korea. But South Korea has a larger population.

TipCountries sometimes change their names. That is why you may find differences among reference sources. For example, the rulers of Burma call their country Myanmar. But many other countries in the world do not accept this new name. The United States is one country that does not accept Myanmar as a new name for Burma. The U.S. government says this is because the people who took over Burma did so by force. Countries might also change their names after they become independent nations. To be sure you have the latest information, use an up-to-date reference source.

Japan is an archipelago. It is located east of China across the Sea of Japan. It is the third-largest nation in East Asia in terms of land area. The island of Taiwan is also located off the east coast of China. It lies between Japan to the north and the Philippines to the south. Taiwan was part of China until 1949. When communist forces took control of mainland China, people who opposed them fled to Taiwan. They formed a government and claimed to be the voice of all China. However, the People’s Republic of China claims Taiwan as a breakaway province. Many other countries, including the United States, no longer recognize Taiwan as an independent nation.

Practice 2: Political Divisions

Match each description with a country or region.

This island nation lies off the east coast of China, between Japan and the Philippines.
China
Mongolia
Indonesia
Afghanistan
Taiwan
Tibet
This country is part of the Indian Subcontinent.
China
Mongolia
Indonesia
Afghanistan
Taiwan
Tibet
This region is now controlled by China, although it was an independent country between 1911 and 1951.
China
Mongolia
Indonesia
Afghanistan
Taiwan
Tibet
This is the largest country in East Asia.
China
Mongolia
Indonesia
Afghanistan
Taiwan
Tibet
This country lies just south of Russia and north of China.
China
Mongolia
Indonesia
Afghanistan
Taiwan
Tibet
This country is made up of many islands.
China
Mongolia
Indonesia
Afghanistan
Taiwan
Tibet

Answer 1

Here are the matched descriptions with the corresponding countries or regions:

1. This island nation lies off the east coast of China, between Japan and the Philippines.
   Answer: Taiwan

2. This country is part of the Indian Subcontinent.
   Answer: Afghanistan

3. This region is now controlled by China, although it was an independent country between 1911 and 1951.
   Answer: Tibet

4. This is the largest country in East Asia.
   Answer: China

5. This country lies just south of Russia and north of China.
   Answer: Mongolia

6. This country is made up of many islands.
   Answer: Indonesia