Geography of South Asia

  South Asia extends far into the Indian Ocean as a diamond-shaped land.  It is considered a subcontinent.  Subcontinent- a large area of land that is separated from other countries by water and land. Geography

  Eight countries are part of South Asia:  India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives Islands or Maldives.  Surrounding this subcontinent is the Indian Ocean. Geography

 Map of South Asia

  Earth’s surface is made of several moving plates.  The movement of plates may cause changes such as the development of mountain ranges, basins, and bodies of water.  South Asia is a location that is likely to have earthquakes. Plate Tectonics

  It is the highest peak in the Himalayas.  The Himalayas are still rising today.  Tibetans call Mount Everest “Goddess Mother of the World.” Mount Everest

  There are three seasons in South Asia.  Temperatures are mild to cool from October through February.  They shift to very hot from March through May.  Then comes the monsoon season which lasts from June to September. Seasons

  Also called the rainy season.  Nearly all of the yearly precipitation, or rain and snowfall, falls during the monsoon season.  It is very important to farmers, who depend on the rains for crops. Monsoon Season

  Three rivers flow through the subcontinent: the Indus, the Ganges, and the Brahmaputra.  From sources in the Himalayas, they fan out to the east and west through the wide, flat plain called the Indo-Ganges Plain. Great Rivers, Great Plain

  Remember that the rivers carry silt and water to the crops which enrich the fields.  Many people ONLY grow food for themselves here.  Some trade with small groups of people in their village.  The main crops grown here are: barley, peas, wheat, rice, beans and other vegetables.  They do NOT sell much of their crops. Indo-Ganges Plain

  Many families grow food just for themselves.  Subsistence farming- people trade food with small groups of people in their village.  It is called subsistence farming because people subsist, or live on, the food they grow. Farming

  There are three main industries in South Asia:  1. Most people work as farmers in India  2. Fishermen fish off of the coast of India.  3. Many people also work in the clothing and textile industries. Industry

  It lies between the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.  The climate is dry in this area, and more irrigation for farming is needed.  The plateau is rich in volcanic soil. Deccan Plateau

  Western Ghats- to the west of the Deccan Plateau  They are rugged mountains.  Eastern Ghats- to the east of the Deccan Plateau  They are rolling mountains.  Forests in the hills and mountain areas are home to wildlife. Mountains

  Most people work as farmers in India.  Manufacturing is an important industry in the coastal areas and Indian Ocean islands.  Many people work in the clothing and textile industries. Occupations