The Physical Geography of South Asia Unit 8 – Chapter 23 The Physical Geography of South Asia Ch 23 PP

I. Section I The Land Ch 23 PP

A. A Separate Land Subcontinent – a large distinct landmass that is joined to a continent The seven countries in this region are separated from the rest of Asia by mountains Most of South Asia is a peninsula Ch 23 PP

B. A Land of Great Variety The Himalayas Theory – the force of the collision between the subcontinent & Asia formed these Mt. Everest – highest peak in the world – located here – 29,035ft. – border of Nepal & China Ch 23 PP

K2 (Godwin Austin) – 2nd highest peak – 28,250ft. – Pakistan Ch 23 PP

A Land of Great Variety (cont.) Other Northern Landforms Karakoram Mtns., Hindu Kush In the past, invaders could only enter through the Khyber Pass Ganges Plain (or Indo-Gangetic Plain) 1/10 of the world’s population lives here! Ch 23 PP

B. (cont) Central Landforms Southern Landforms Vindhya Range – also “pushed-up” by the collision Divides India into northern & southern regions Southern Landforms Eastern & Western Ghats – form a triangle Between them lies the Deccan Plateau Ch 23 PP

C. Major River Systems Indus & Brahmaputra Rivers Indus flows mainly through Pakistan Empties where? Brahmaputra flows through the Himalayas and then into India & Bangladesh Joins with the Ganges to form a delta Where does the Brahmaputra empty? Brahmaputra – ‘braided’ river Ch 23 PP

Major River Systems (cont.) Ganges River Most important river of this region! Its waters are considered to be sacred Ganges Plain is considered the world’s largest alluvial plain – India’s most densely populated area! Ch 23 PP Bathing in the Holy waters of the Ganges

D. Natural Resources Water Energy Resources Minerals Timber Rivers Alluvial soil, drinking water, transportation, hydroelectric power Dams In Pakistan, the Tarbela Dam, one of the largest dams in the world, will soon be unusable! (Built up silt from the Indus) Energy Resources Petroleum, natural gas, uranium Minerals Leading exporter of iron ore Mica – layered rock used to make electric equipment (90% of world) - India Sri Lanka – one of the world’s largest producers of graphite Timber Very important to this region! Economy & Soil Ch 23 PP

II. Section II Climate & Vegetation Ch 23 PP Rampur, India

A. South Asia’s Climates Tropical & Subtropical Climates Tropical Rain Forest & Tropical Savanna Highlands Climate Northern edge of region Dry Climates Great Indian Desert (Thar Desert) Steppe Ch 23 PP

B. Monsoons Monsoon Rains Natural Disasters Monsoons – Seasonal Winds Rains needed for crops Sometimes they cause floods though! Natural Disasters Drought, Floods, Cyclones Ch 23 PP