1. NEPAL, BHUTAN, SRI- LANKA, AND THE MALDIVES

2. NEPAL AND BHUTAN

3. MOUNTAIN KINGDOMS Geographic Isolation: The main feature of Nepal and Bhutan is the mountainous landscape. It has isolated the two countries throughout their histories. Neither has access to the sea. This isolation made the land hard to reach and settle. In the 18 th century Bhutan was controlled by China, and in the 19 th century due to their rule of India, but the isolation has generally kept Nepal and Bhutan independent. Evolving Monarchies: For much of their histories Nepal and Bhutan have been small religious kingdoms, but today they are both constitutional monarchies. This means the power of their rulers is limited by a constitution.

4. DEVELOPING ECONOMIES Limited Resources: Nepal and Bhutan are poor countries who’s isolation has greatly limited resources. The economy of both is based largely on agriculture, though the mountainous terrain has posed many barriers. Creating terraces on mountain sides has helped with this. Increasing Tourism: Many tourists want to visit to climb the Himalayas and visit the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu. Hotels and other tourism oriented industries have grown to accommodate this. This has taken a toll on the environment in Nepal. For this reason Bhutan limits tourism.

5. RICH CULTURAL TRADITIONS A Mix of Peoples: Nepal is mostly comprised of Indo-Nepalese Hindus, though there are many people of Tibetan descent, such as Sherpas. Most of the people of Bhutan belong to a group of Tibetan descent called the Bhote. Religious Customs: Though most Nepalese are Hindu, there is also a large Buddhist following, as Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism was born in what is now Nepal. Buddhism is the official religion of Bhutan. Arts and recreation: Folk art, festivals, sculptures, and colorful textiles are essential to Himalayan culture.

6. SRI LANKA AND THE MALDIVES

7. HISTORY OF THE ISLANDS Settlement of Sri Lanka: In the sixth century B.C. the Sinhales came from northern plains of India to inhabit Sri Lanka. In the fourth century B.C. a group of Hindus called the Tamils began to arrive. In the 16 th century it began to be colonized by Europeans. A civil war continues to be fought between the Tamils and others in Sri Lanka. A Muslim State in the Maldives: The Maldives were settled around the sixth century B.C. by Buddhists and Hindus from Sri Lanka and India. From the twelfth century until the 20 th century Muslim dynasties ran by Sultans ruled. In 1968 it was declared an independent country and now has elected leaders.

8. LIFE IN THE ISLANDS Ethic Diversity: Sri Lanka is about 75% Buddhist, 18% Hindu and about 7% Muslim. There is also a very small group of Christians of European descent. The cultural make-up of the Maldives is even more diverse, with influence of many ethnic groups. Cultural Life in Sri Lanka: Architecture, art, and literature are strongly influenced by Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity. Cultural Life in the Maldives: Islam is the state religion and it dominates the culture.

9. ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN THE ISLANDS Economic Strengths: Sri Lanka’s economy relies on agriculture like the rest of India. The economy in the Maldives relies mostly on tourism and fishing. Tough Challenges: Until the 1980’s tourism was growing in Sri Lanka as well. Around this time civil war broke out and tourism collapsed. It is not likely to revive soon as much of Sri Lanka’s infrastructure has been destroyed by the war.