Traditional agriculture dominates, but Pakistan has a more diversified economy with some manufacturing. Bangladesh is reducing trade restrictions and encouraging foreign investment in order to improve the economy. British colonial influences are important. Afghanistan continues to have internal conflict. In Sri Lanka, civil war between Sinhalese Buddhists and Tamil Hindus persists.
Subsistence agriculture is common.
In the Maldives, tourism is important, but has reached some environmental limits. Long running bloodshed between Tamils and Sinhalese hamper efforts to improve life in this island country. Farming covers most of the rural landscapes. Explain ways that Southern Asia is better off than Africa South of the Sahara. Know that Southern Asia has a massive population.