Final answer:
SAARC countries form the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, which includes India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Afghanistan. They work together to promote regional integration and economic cooperation. Cultural and geographical diversity among these countries is significant, with features like the Himalayas and the Indian Ocean defining the region.
Step-by-step explanation:
The SAARC countries, which stands for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, include eight countries primarily located in South Asia. These countries are India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Afghanistan. The goal of SAARC is to promote regional integration and economic cooperation among its member countries. While the countries Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and those in Central Africa are not part of SAARC, they have their own regional groupings and cooperation forums. It is important to note that all the South Asian countries tend to border India by either a physical or a marine boundary.
The region of South Asia is geographically diverse, with features ranging from the vast Himalayan mountain ranges forming a natural boundary with China, to the coastal nations like the Maldives and Sri Lanka. Deserts and the Indian Ocean also surround the realm, contributing to the distinct physical features of each SAARC country.
Cultural differences in religion and ethnicity continue to be a source of conflict and division in South Asian countries. However, forums such as the SAARC aim to foster unity and address such challenges through cooperation and dialogue among member states.