Why India is a Subcontinent: Unpacking its Unique Geographic and Cultural Identity

• India's vast territorial size of 3.8 million square kilometers, comparable to Europe, justifies its classification as a subcontinent.
• Natural geographic borders, including the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean, and northern mountains, create a distinct 'geographic pocket'.
• The Indo-Gangetic Plains, fed by the Indus and Ganges rivers, provide a massive agricultural foundation sustaining civilizations for 5,000 years.
• The Himalayan barrier effectively 'walls off' the Indian landmass, allowing it to develop an independent climate and ecosystem.
• Unique biodiversity, high population density, a distinct monsoonal climate, and rich cultural diversity further define India as a subcontinent.