South Asia

Bhangra Dance

II. Human Geography: II. Human Geography: A. Human Characteristics In South Asia, particularly in India there is a rich, complex mix of cultures.  Six major religions and hundreds of languages

1. India a.Hindu majority  Also Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain, and Christian b.People belong to one of hundreds of jati  Social groups/ classes 2. Pakistan and Bangladesh a.Mainly Muslims b.Pakistan has five ethnic groups c.Most of Bangladesh is Bengali

Human Characteristics cont. 3.Sri Lanka a.Sinhalese: Buddhists  The majority, run the govt. b.Tamils: Hindu  Resort to terrorism  Tamil Tigers c.Have different languages and fight for control of the nation 4.Bhutan and Nepal a.Originally descendants of the Mongols b.Different in appearance  Complex mix in Nepal: Sherpas

B. Language is also an area of concern. India alone recognizes 15 official languages and 35 other major regional languages. English English Hindu Hindu

C. Population Density and Distribution people per Sq. mile  7 times the world average 2.Densely Populated Areas a.Indo-Gangetic Plain i.Excellent farming ii.Rice abundant b.Sri Lankan plantations c.Bangladesh has 2,454 people per sq. mile!!! 3.Less Dense Regions a.Deccan Plateau b.Thar Desert is sparse c.Mountains of W. Pakistan d.Nepal and Bhutan: per sq. mile  Less in the north

Deccan Plateau farmers The region is also divided due to politics and religions. The majority of the population live in the Deccan Plateau. Most of the people are farmers who have developed their own regional and local culture due to geographic features. Due to the large population, food shortages, malnutrition, famines and low standards of living is common. The region is also divided due to politics and religions.

D.Urbanization  Generally a low urban population  Bhutan: 15%, Pakistan: 28%  Rapid Urban Growth  People migrate for better jobs and higher wages  Cities are overcrowded

 The Largest Cities  Calcutta: India’s largest  Grim slums and bustling ports  Mumbai (Bombay): main western port  Delhi, 3rd largest city in India  New Delhi was built in the early 1900s  Dhaka, Bangladesh: the 2nd most crowded city in the world  Islamabad, Pakistan is growing from a middle class surge Urbanization

E. Political concerns 1. India has the largest and most complex democracy in the world. With a largely illiterate population, symbols represent the various political parties. Voting is for the political party not for an individual. 2. The increase of terrorism has prompted India to obtain nuclear weapons. Pakistan also has nuclear capabilities. 3. As the region has industrialized, industrialized, environmental concerns has increased in importance. Environmental groups are pushing India to pass regulations for manufacturing.