
Afghanistan is a culturally mixed nation, a crossroads between the East and the West, and has been an ancient focal point of trade and migration. It has an important geostrategical location, connecting South, Central and Southwest Asia.

Bangladesh’s economy is ranked 31st largest in the world. The most largest and successful industry is the garment industry and the current GDP of Bangladesh is at 57%. And the agricultural economy is pretty strong as most Bangladeshis earn their living from it

Bhutan's indigenous population is the Drukpa. The Sharchops, Ngalops and the Lhotsampas are the three main ethnic groups. Bhutan's earliest residents, the Sharchops reside predominantly in eastern Bhutan. The Ngalops migrated from the Tibetan plains and are the importers of Buddhism to the kingdom.

India is the largest democracy in the world. For most of its democratic history, the federal government has been led by the Indian National Congress (INC). State politics have been dominated by several national parties including the INC, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Communist Party of India (CPI), and various regional parties.

The Maldives holds the record for being the flattest country in the world, with a maximum natural ground level of only 2.3 m (7½ ft), though in areas where construction exists this has been increased to several metres. Over the last century, sea levels have risen about twenty centimetres (8 in). The ocean is likely to continue rising and this threatens the existence of Maldives.

Modern Nepal was created in the latter half of the 18th century when Prithvi Narayan Shah, the ruler of the small principality of Gorkha, formed a unified country from a number of independent hill states. The country was frequently called the Gorkha Kingdom, the source of the term "Gurkha" used for Nepali soldiers.

Pakistan is a rapidly growing population. Pakistan has a mixture of many ethnic groups ranging from Pathans, Baluchis, Punjabis and Sindhis. 97% of the country is and Urdu is the official language, but Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto, Baluchi, and Brahui are also spoken. English is common among the upper classes and also in the government.
In February 1948, Sri Lanka became an independent member of the British Commonwealth. The country is now in the process of creating peace but in April 2006 this was disrupted by interethnic violence leaving the future of Sri Lanka in a balance. But one can only hope for the peace process for Sri Lanka will continue for the sake of its people and its beautiful land.
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established when its Charter was formally adopted on December 8, 1985 by the Heads of State or Government of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
SAARC provides a platform for the peoples of South Asia to work together in a spirit of friendship, trust and understanding. It aims to accelerate the process of economic and social development in Member States.
What strikes you most about the centre of Obuse is what's missing. There are no bland concrete box buildings, no criss-cross of overhead electric wires, no harsh neon lights. Instead, the view from my lunch table is a perfect balance of ancient pine trees and earthen roof tiles. Walkways made of chocolate-brown chestnut wood wind between the mottled buildings, and along them people stroll in the snow, holding brightly coloured paper umbrellas high to protect them from the falling flakes.
Chuuk Lagoon is a long way away. From anywhere. Which makes it all the more extraordinary that it should have been the setting for one of the most comprehensive defeats of the Second World War. In February 1944, the Americans launched Operation Hailstone, a two-day mission to wipe out the Japanese naval fleet, which was hidden in this distant Pacific atoll. It was a success; so much so that many historians see it as the turning point of the war in the Pacific. It also means that beneath the waters of Chuuk Lagoon are the wrecks of more than 70 ships and planes, making it a must-visit place for divers – and the ideal starting point for a new BBC expedition.