Southeast Asia: Physical Characteristics Francisci WG.4

Interesting Facts: Asia is the largest continent on Earth with over 4 million people. 2 out of 3 people in the world live in Asia China and India are the two most populous countries in Asia

Mountains of Asia Mountains of Asia: Himalayas: “Abode of Snow”; forms barrier between the Plateau of Tibet and India; highest mountain in the world. Western & Eastern Ghats: two mountains ranges on eastern and western sides of India. Mount Fuji: Located in Japan; is the highest volcano and highest peak in Japan; dormant.

Mountains of Asia Mountains of Asia influence: Where people live Climate Himalayas block moisture creating a rain shadow that forms the Gobi Desert. Windward side of a mountain is moist (ex. Himalayas) Leeward side of a mountain is very dry (ex. Gobi Desert)

Bodies of water In China, the Yellow River and the Yangtze River flood. Yellow River is named “China’s Sorrow” because the flooding of the river has killed numerous amounts of people over the centuries. The fertile soil that blows into the Yellow River is called loess; meaning yellow in color Loess is deposited on the land and makes the area very fertile Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers of South Asia also flood.

Bodies of water The bodies of water in Asia are extremely important for trade, transportation and agriculture. These bodies of water include rivers, seas, and ocean currents. Warmest ocean in the world – Indian Ocean Largest sea in the world – South China Sea

Natural Hazards East Asia experiences volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis because it is part of the Ring of Fire. Storms that occur in the Pacific Ocean bordering East Asia are called typhoons; in the Atlantic Ocean, they are called hurricanes. Japan – Averages 1,500 earthquakes per year – has 150 volcanoes, 60 of them still active

Natural Hazards South and East Asia experience monsoons: Winds that blow in certain directions depending on the time of year. During the summer, the monsoon season brings heavy rains that aid in the production of rice – Asian’s main food crop.

Climate of Asia The tropical rainforest and the tropical savanna are on or near the equator. Indonesia is mostly tropical rain forest; much of the rainforest is being cut down due to deforestation.

Climate of Asia Desert and steppe climates are found on the leeward side of the mountains. The Himalayas create a rain shadow that forms the Gobi Desert; a large desert region in northern China and southern Mongolia. The interior parts of Asia experience a humid continental climate.

Fertile soil of Asia There is abundant fertile (arable) land in Asia. The fertile soil that blows into the Yellow River in China is called loess; meaning yellow in color.