South Asia 2012

New Features for 2012:

• all essays and chapters fully revised and updated for this edition, with the addition of a brand new essay looking at Islamism as a political force in the region
• new expert contributors bring a fresh perspective to essays on the recent history of Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka, and those on the economies of Bhutan and India
• coverage of recent events in the region, including the phased handover of security responsibility from the International Security Assistance Force to the domestic security forces in Afghanistan, and political developments following recent state elections in India
• information on new phenomena such as the impact of political and sectarian violence in Pakistan, and the protracted struggle to form a new Government and Constitution in Nepal
• fully updated statistical information including provisional details of the 2011 census of India.

The book is divided into three sections:

General Survey

• introductory essays by key specialists provide impartial coverage of issues of regional importance. Essays include: The USA's AfPak Strategy; Corruption and Governance in South Asia; Current Security Issues in South Asia; Forced Migration in South Asia; India as an Emerging Superpower; the Religions of South Asia; Political Islam in South Asia; and Population and Environmental Issues in South Asia.

Country Surveys

Detailed coverage of the eight countries of South Asia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. In addition, there are separate sections covering each of the states and territories of India.

Each chapter contains:

• information on physical and social geography
• essays covering political history and the economy
• up-to-date statistical surveys, including the latest available figures on area and population, health and welfare, agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining, industry, finance, trade, transport, tourism, communications and media, and education
• a comprehensive directory section providing essential contact names, addresses, and e-mail and internet details in key areas such as government, political organizations, diplomatic representation, the judiciary, religion, the media, finance, trade and industry (including major companies), transport, tourism, defence and education.
• a select bibliography.

Regional Information

• a biographical section profiling prominent figures in the South Asian region
• a survey of the most important industrial and agricultural commodities in the region
• detailed information on selected regional and international organizations
• directory details of research institutes studying the area
• select bibliographies of relevant books and periodicals.