South Asia Chapter 24 Geography Overview

Physical Geography Natural Resources Natural Resources Rivers Rivers For irrigation and drinking For irrigation and drinking Rich soil Rich soil Growing cotton and rice Growing cotton and rice Himalayas Himalayas Natural barrier to China Natural barrier to China

Mountains and Plateaus South Asia – subcontinent South Asia – subcontinent Himalayas and Hindu Kush – formed when tectonic plates collided Himalayas and Hindu Kush – formed when tectonic plates collided Mount Everest The Himalayas

Sherpas- are a Nepalese ethnic group numbering around 150,000. They are renowned for their climbing skills and superior strength and endurance at high altitudes

Rivers, Deltas and Plains 3 great rivers of South Asia 3 great rivers of South Asia Ganges Ganges Indus Indus Brahmaputra Brahmaputra Indo-Gangetic Plains Indo-Gangetic Plains Extends from Pakistan across northern India and Bangladesh Extends from Pakistan across northern India and Bangladesh Most heavily populated, 3/5 of India’s population Most heavily populated, 3/5 of India’s population Alluvial Plains – lands that are rich farmlands Alluvial Plains – lands that are rich farmlands

Offshore Islands Two island countries Two island countries Maldives Maldives Composed of small islands (archipelago) Composed of small islands (archipelago) Atolls – individual volcano islands surrounded by coral reefs and shallow lagoons Atolls – individual volcano islands surrounded by coral reefs and shallow lagoons Sri Lanka – single large island Sri Lanka – single large island

Natural Resources Water Water River systems – Provide water River systems – Provide water for irrigation for irrigation Fishing Fishing Transportation and power Transportation and power Minerals Minerals Iron ore – steel industry Iron ore – steel industry Mica – computer industry Mica – computer industry Deforestation problem – causes erosion, flooding, landslides, and loss of fields Deforestation problem – causes erosion, flooding, landslides, and loss of fields

Climate South Asia has 6 main climate zones South Asia has 6 main climate zones Monsoons – seasonal winds Monsoons – seasonal winds October thru February – dry weather from northeast October thru February – dry weather from northeast June thru September – heavy rains from southwest June thru September – heavy rains from southwest Most extreme weather in South Asia? Most extreme weather in South Asia? Cyclone Cyclone violent storm w/ fierce winds and heavy rains violent storm w/ fierce winds and heavy rains Which country is most affected? Which country is most affected? Bangladesh Bangladesh

Vegetation Thar Desert has little plant life/few people Thar Desert has little plant life/few people Forests Forests India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka Climate zone trees Climate zone trees Tropical Wet: teak, ebony, bamboo Tropical Wet: teak, ebony, bamboo Deltas: Mangroves Deltas: Mangroves Highlands: evergreens Highlands: evergreens Subtropical: sal, oak, chestnut, palm Subtropical: sal, oak, chestnut, palm

Human – Environment Interaction Ganges River Ganges River Hindus believe it is sacred Hindus believe it is sacred Bathe, drink, scatter ashes of the dead, worship Bathe, drink, scatter ashes of the dead, worship Health hazard Health hazard Extreme pollution causes illness, many of which are life-threatening Extreme pollution causes illness, many of which are life-threatening Feni River Feni River Flooding often intensified by storm surges Flooding often intensified by storm surges Built a dam, used manual labor to complete it Built a dam, used manual labor to complete it Passed a crucial test - dam held against storm surge Passed a crucial test - dam held against storm surge

Ganges River & Pollution