Physical Geography of Asia Exploring Our World

South Asia India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Maldives

Watch out for Ra's al Ghul!! Landforms Watch out for Ra's al Ghul!! Three mountain systems—the Hindu Kush, the Karakoram, and the Himalaya—separate the subcontinent from the rest of Asia. Mount Everest, the world’s tallest mountain at 29,028 feet high, rises in the Himalaya of Nepal Scientists believe that the subcontinent of South Asia was once part of Africa’s landmass. The subcontinent broke away and drifted across the Indian Ocean. When it collided with Asia, the force pushed up the mountains https://vimeo.com/121045965

Landforms Wide, fertile plains lie south of the mountains. Three great rivers—the Indus, the Ganges, and the Brahmaputra—water the plains. People depend on these rivers for farming, transportation, and trade. Maldives lies off India’s western coast and includes more than 1,300 islands. Many of these are atolls, or circular- shaped islands made of coral Indus River in India Ostracod Crustaceans in Maldives

Resources South Asia is not rich in natural resources. Most of the people farm small plots of land or tend livestock. Energy resources in the region include natural gas and coal India has most of the region’s mineral resources. These include iron ore, manganese, and chromite (chrome plating and stainless steel)

Environmental Concerns Freshwater is scarce Water pollution is widespread. The Ganges River is one of the most polluted waterways in the world. Sewage, runoff from factories and fertilizers, and human waste flow into urban areas South Asia is one of the most densely populated regions on Earth. 20% of the world’s people live on 3% of the world’s land, and the population is increasing

Environmental Concerns The number of cars in the cities has risen rapidly in recent years. All of these vehicles release exhaust fumes, which makes the air dangerous to breathe. In rural areas, people burn wood, kerosene, charcoal, and animal dung, which releases smoke and chemicals. Many people develop breathing problems.

Climate South Asia has three distinct seasons— hot, wet, and cool. Seasonal winds called monsoons determine when these seasons begin and end The high temperatures of the hot season and the rains of the wet season have good and bad effects on South Asia Too much rain can cause floods, which kill people and animals, ruin crops, destroy homes, and wipe out roads. Cyclone Tropical storm (same as hurricane, just different name)

Climate Zones Tropical Wet and Dry Steppe Desert Humid Subtropical Highland

East and Southeast Asia China, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, East Timor, Brunei, and the Philippines

Landforms Himalaya and Kunlun Shan tower over western parts of region Fertile plains and valleys support most of the population Japan and Taiwan are volcanic islands Located in Ring of Fire, they experience numerous earthquakes and volcanic eruptions

Landforms South of China, Southeast Asia is made up of mainland peninsulas and thousands of islands. Like East Asia, the islands of Southeast Asia are part of the Ring of Fire and experience earthquakes and active volcanoes 744 active volcanoes

Seas and Rivers The countries here have long coastlines along the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, and many seas. These waterways influenced the region’s history. For example, as an isolated island nation, Japan developed a unique culture

Seas and Rivers Nearness to water affects the region’s economies as well. Oceans and seas serve as trade routes. Much of the world’s shipping traffic travels on the South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca. The people here also depend on the sea for food. Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and China have the world’s biggest deep-sea fishing industries.

Seas and Rivers Major Rivers Yellow Yangtze Chao Phraya Mekong

Natural Resources Oil Coal Hydroelectric Iron ore Chromium Manganese Nickel Tungsten Pearls Teak Mahogany

Climate Zones Desert Humid Subtropical Tropical (most of the region) Highland