<P> The geographical region has historically simply been known as "India" (in antiquity referring to the Indus Valley region, not the entire subcontinent). Other related terms are Greater India and South Asia . And the terms "Indian subcontinent" and "South Asia" are sometimes used interchangeably . There is no globally accepted definition on which countries are a part of South Asia or the Indian subcontinent . The less common term "South Asian subcontinent" has seen occasional use since the 1970s . </P> <P> Geologically, the Indian subcontinent was first a part of so - called "Greater India", a region of Gondwana that drifted away from East Africa about 160 million years ago, around the Middle Jurassic period . The region experienced high volcanic activity and plate subdivisions, creating Madagascar, Seychelles, Antarctica, Austrolasia and the Indian subcontinent basin . The Indian subcontinent drifted northeastwards, colliding with the Eurasian plate nearly 55 million years ago, towards the end of Paleocene . This geological region largely includes Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka . The zone where the Eurasian and Indian subcontinent plates meet remains one of the geologically active areas, prone to major earthquakes . </P> <P> The English term "subcontinent" mainly continues to refer to the Indian subcontinent . Physiographically, it is a peninsular region in south - central Asia delineated by the Himalayas in the north, the Hindu Kush in the west, and the Arakanese in the east . It extends southward into the Indian Ocean with the Arabian Sea to the southwest and the Bay of Bengal to the southeast . Most of this region rests on the Indian Plate and is isolated from the rest of Asia by large mountain barriers . </P> <P> Using the more expansive definition--counting India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives as the constituent countries--the Indian subcontinent covers about 4.4 million km (1.7 million sq mi), which is 10% of the Asian continent or 3.3% of the world's land surface area . Overall, it accounts for about 45% of Asia's population (or over 25% of the world's population) and is home to a vast array of peoples . </P>

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