Indian sub-continent

[cardinal]

Why is India known as a sub-continent and not just part of Asia as is China?

[geofbob]

In fact, today, the former Indian sub-continent also includes Pakistan, and this is the way the term is used by cricket commentators, who usually simply refer to "the sub-continent" (possibly also including Sri Lanka). The problem with China is that it has land borders with a number of countries to the west and south of it (eg Burma, Vietnam, Laos etc) so it does not form as neat a genographical entity as the Indian sub-continent. But the breakdown of continents is by no means fixed - the Antarctic is a fairly recent addition; and many people now refer to North and South America as separate continents.

[sddsddean]

Also, I think I'm right in saying that the Indian Sub Cont. is on its own tectonic plate and rammed into the bottom of Asia forming the Himalayas, so it is a bit of an add on continent.