South Asia Regional Overview
Physical Geography: South Asia is a subcontinent formed by plate tectonics. The South Asia plate is still moving.
I. Physical Features Himalayas Run through India, Nepal, and China Formed when the Indian Plate collided with the Eurasian Plate
I. Physical Features Himalayas Run through India, Nepal, and China world’s highest mountain range. Formed when the Indian Plate collided with the Eurasian Plate
Review What effect can mountains have on trade and migration? What about culture? What about population?
B. Mt. Everest The highest point in the world 29,035 feet (5+ miles) Sits on the border of Nepal and China Still growing today, but less than 2 inches per year
Climbing Mt. Everest The climb is broken into stages over several weeks Climbers much stop to acclimatize (Adjust to lower oxygen levels) Accute Mountain Sickness: nausea, headache, brain swells
Sherpas Sherpas are Everest’s expert climbers They are native to Nepal Serve as guides/cooks, set up camps, and carry supplies
Frostbite
Rivers Rainwater and snowmelt from the Himalayas form the region’s major rivers, the Indus and Ganges.
C. Indus River
D. Ganges River
D. Ganges River Drinking, farming and transportation Sacred– Hindus believe it brings life to its people; believe it has healing powers Ashes of deceased scattered in river sometimes
Ganges River - Pollution Pollution in the Ganges video
E. Deccan Plateau and Ghats The Deccan Plateau is surrounded by the eastern and Western Ghats (mountains).
Deccan Plateau and Ghats Why do you think the Deccan Plateau is arid? Rain shadow effect.
II. Climate The climate of much of this region is shaped by monsoons Strong, seasonal winds that create distinct rainfall patterns In summer, monsoons blow in from the ocean toward the land, bringing heavy rains
Monsoons Challenges of summer floods: Death, polluted water, and disease Crop loss Closed streets, schools, and businesses In the winter months, little to no rainfall
Supual, in the northern Indian state of Bihar, as seen from the air on August 2, 2007. Though the monsoon is an annual event, this is the heaviest season Bihar has seen in 30 years, bringing incessant rains to a wide area of north India and Bangladesh since June.
III. Vegetation
IV. Population
IV. Population Give two facts regarding India’s population you can learn from this graph.
IV. Population High population densities: The region is still mostly rural, but rapid urbanization is taking place. Jobs, space, resources?