Often known as a Sub-continent Surrounded by three bodies of water: Arabian Sea = west Indian Ocean =south Bay of Bengal = east

Mountains and Plateaus: Himalayas: created by the colliding of two continents; 1,000 square miles; contains the highest mountain in the World = Mount Everest at 29,028 ft. Other Northern ranges: Himalayas meet the Karakoram Mts. Meet Hindu Kush….creating a barrier between Indian sub-continent and Asia Nepal and Bhutan remained isolated to this recent century.

Vindhya Mts: lie across the center of the Indian subcontinent, create by collision; separated the people of Northern and Southern India. The Ghats and Deccan Plateau: rugged hills and eroded mountains; Plateau between the Eastern and Western Ghats and is arid. Other plateaus: Chota Nagpur covered with forest of bamboo and teak; stony tablelands boarder the northwestern; Karnataka Plateau where wild elephants live

I. Major River Systems: A. High in Himalayas sources for: Indus, Brahmaputra, Ganges B.Indus flows in Pakistan C. Brahmaputra and Ganges flow east to Bay of Bengal D. Carry fertile soil from the mountains E. Floods bring rich soil, silt, or alluvial soil Indo-Gangetic Plain: worlds largest continuous alluvial plain

Natural Resource Soil and Water -Rich soil from the Indo- Gangetic Plain;Rivers provide drinking water and transportation -Dams being built to harness hydroelectric power; Pakistan has one of the Worlds largest hydroelectric plants - Bhutan and India Fish thrive in this region (own consumption and exports)

Energy Resources: Few significant oil reserves some in: northwestern coast and in Pakistan; Natural gas fields are found in southern Pakistan; Uranium deposits in India; Bangladesh has few energy resources Minerals Scattered throughout the region; Iron-ore: India; 9/10 of the worlds mica: needed to manufacture electrical equipment; Sri Lanka: largest producers of graphite

Timber: rain forest produce sal and teak sandalwood: sweet smelling wood forest cover much of Bhutan Nepal’s forest: severely over cut To protect Sri Lanka's forest exporting of timber has been banned since 1977

Section 1: Population Patterns I. Human Characteristics:  Richest and most complex mixes of people in the world  6 major religions; 100’s of languages: numerous social groupings

India: 1. Religion - Hindu ; Muslim Buddhist ; Sikh ; Jain ; Christian 2. From central Asia and Europe 3. Roots over 8,000 years Jati: social groups that define one’s occupation and social standing

Pakistan and Bangladesh: 9 out of 10 people are Muslims Pakistan 5 major ethnic groups Bangladesh all are Bengali

Sri Lanka: Divided into 2 major ethnic groups Sinhalese and the Tamils Live on different parts of the island; speak different languages; practice religions Sinhalese: Buddhist; Tamils: Hindu Sinhalese dominate the government Tamil tigers

Bhutan and Nepal: most from Mongolia Nepal: one of the worlds most complex ethnic make-ups Nepalese (Sherpas) famous world-wide first conquest of Mount Everest

Population Density and Distribution 756 people per square mile 7 times the World average double in less than 40 years Regional Variation Varies from one region to another Climate, vegetation, terrain have an impact Fertile farmland vs. glacier- dotted mountains

Densely Populated Areas: Found on the Indo-Gangetic Plain; Live where rice is grown Sri Lanka: Tea and rubber are grown; most people live in rural areas Bangladesh: most densely populated (2,320 ppsm) -Despite good framing: there is not enough food for the people in Bangladesh -Population will double in the next 29 years

Less Densely Populated Regions: India’s Deccan Plateau less populated than IGP Thar desert very sparse Western part of Pakistan Southern most portions of Bhutan and Nepal

Urbanization: Rapid Urban Growth migrating for better jobs and higher wages cities are becoming over crowded strain on public facilities like schools and hospitals

The Region’s largest Cities Calcutta India’s largest city (located on the Ganges river) Slums vs. the bustling port, thriving iron and steel industries, efficient subway system, modern buildings Bombay India’s main western port Delhi, India’s 3 rd largest city New Delhi capital of India Cites of Bangladesh are as the rest of the country Dhaka has more ppsm than any other city in the world

Section 2: History and Government Early History: 1 st civilizations Indus Valley (2500 years ago) developed a writing system, strong central government, rich overseas trade Environmental changes led to decline of this civilization Stranded cities Hittite Script

Aryans: left little behind Vedas: four books tell about the Aryan religious beliefs Society divided into 3 classes: - nobles - priest - ordinary people

Caste System: developed in which people could not change their social status

Hinduism: Grew out of Aryan culture Way of life and set of beliefs Must live according to their Dharma (moral duty) Karma: all good actions are rewarded and bad deeds punished Reincarnated: reborn Recognizes many gods and goddesses Different forms of one being Different paths towards the same goal

Buddhism: Will discuss at a future date.

Invasions and Empires Maurya: lasted 320 b.c.e. and 180 b.c.e. Asoka (or Maurya) impressed with Buddhism and helped spread Buddhism Gupta Dynasty (320 b.c.e. to 550 b.c.e.) India advanced cultures in the world arts; science; technology numerals

700’s missionaries, merchants, adventurers enter countries Muslim armies conquered northern India (1100’s) ruled for several centuries Europeans arrived in the 1500’s 1600’s British entered: East India Company By 1700’s it occupied the entire region -Reorganized education -Introduced English language -Developed a civil service

Modern South Asia Independence:: Mohandas k. Gandhi (British trained leader) Non-violent methods to persuade the British to leave Encouraged Indians not to buy British goods

1947: divided into two independent states (Pakistan and nation of India) East and West Pakistan Ceylon was granted independence in 1972 (Sri Lanka) Bhutan and Nepal had always remained independent from the British Today’s Government: Tensions arose between the Hindus and Muslims East Pakistan declares independence in 1971 Democracies and Monarchies

Section 3: Cultures and Lifestyles Languages: - 14 major languages other languages and dialects - English commonly spoken in business - Hindu is the official language of India A.Indo-Aryan Languages: 1. Pakistan, Bangladesh and Northern India 2. Hindu, Urdu, and Bengali 3. Nepali and Sinhalese B.Other languages: 1. 1/5 in Southern India and Sri Lanka speak Dravidian Languages 2. Nepal and Bhutan: close ties to central Asia

Religions: Major Religions: Hinduism; Islam; Buddhism 1. Pakistan and Bangladesh are Muslim 2. Buddhism influence has declined in this region 3. Hinduism has absorbed many Buddhist teachings 4. Jainism: -founded by Mahavira (Hindu teacher) -every living thing has a soul 5. Sikhism: -combination of Hindu and Muslim beliefs -live in northwestern India 6.Christianity

Influence of Religion 1. Powerful influence on daily life 2. Prayer flags flap in the wind, sending out sacred messages called mantras 3. In India sadhus (Hindu teachers) can be found every where - wear yellow robes - carry a bowl and blanket - live on gifts from those who want to improve their karma 4. Consider cows to be sacred 5. Women in Pakistan dress modestly in accordance with Islamic law

The Arts: Architecture Taj Mahal is in India built in 1600’s for a beloved wife made of white marble has towers and domes in the Islamic style Mosques in Pakistan and Bangladesh Golden Temple Dzongs ( Buddhist monasteries)

Music and Dance: Classic Indian dance are based on Hindu mythology Bharta Natyam: danced in the South women dressed in gorgeously bright silk saris gold bracelets hand gestures rapid whirling and stamping feet Kathakali dances from the west Music is divided into Hindustani: practiced in the north Karnatak: practiced in the south Melody is raga and the rhythm is called the tala