South Asia The Physical Geography

Standard You should be able to identify the major political features of the region Demonstrate mastery by successfully labeling the following countries on a map:

Pakistan Capital: Islamabad

India Capital: New Delhi

Sri Lanka Capital: Colombo

Nepal Capital: Kathmandu

Bhutan Capital: Thimphu

Bangladesh Capital: Dhaka

Check for Understanding On the handout given to you by the teacher, label the countries in the map to follow under the section titled “Standard Checking for Understanding”

2. India 1. Sri Lanka 3. Bangladesh 4. Nepal 5. Bhutan 6. Pakistan

Standard You should be able to IDENTIFY and LOCATE the major physical features of the region –Mountains (Himalaya, Hindu Kush, Vindya Range, Eastern and Westerh Ghats) –Plains/Plateaus (Indo-Gangetic, Chota Nogpur, Deccan, Karnataka) –Islands (Sri Lanka and Maldives) –Rivers (Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra)

Let’s Begin Use the section titled “The Land” in your handout to take notes

A Separate Land Subcontinent Large, distinct landmass joined to a continent Natural barriers 1/2 the size of the United States

Mountains: The Himalaya Plate tectonics Subcontinent collided with Asia - 60 million years ago 1000 miles across northern edge Mt. Everest - world’s highest peak

As seen from Space Do you remember what a rain shadow is?

Mt. Everest

29,035 Feet

Karakoram Mountains Northernmost part of South Asia Connect with Himalayas

Hindu Kush Completes chain in the west Kept India isolated and protected Khyber Pass - only way in for many years

Vindhya Range Central India Divides India into Northern and Southern regions Two distinct Indian cultures have emerged

Eastern and Western Ghats Triangle of rugged hills Eroded hills

Plains and Plateaus Deccan Plateau Once covered in Lava Rich black soil Semi-arid Western Ghats prevent rain from reaching it

Karnataka Plateau South of the Deccan Receives more rain Dense rain forest

Tha Ganges Plain Indo-Gangetic Plain Holds 1/10th of human population Fertile plain World’s largest alluvial plain Watered by Ganges, Indus and Brahmaputra

Chota Nogpur Plateau Northeast India High tableland Forest

Sri Lanka Tear Drop shape Broke away from subcontinent

Maldives 116 Sq. miles of land area Cover 35,000 miles of ocean Southernmost nation of South Asia

Rivers - 3 Major Systems Indus River Mostly in Pakistan Empties into Arabian Sea Important transportation route “Cradle of Ancient India”

The Brahmaputra River From Himalaya into India and Bangladesh Joins Ganges at the delta Empties into Bay of Bengal Ships can navigate as far as 800 miles Hydroelectricity - 50% of Bangladesh’s power

The Ganges River Most important Summer monsoons cause massive flooding Hindus consider its waters sacred Most densely populated plain

Foldable Summary Create a four door foldable (Like the one used for the Climate and Vegetation of Sub Saharan Africa) 1st, create a two door foldable Next, divide each door into two doors Label each door using the following: Mountains, Islands, Rivers, and Plains/Plateaus