South Asia Physical Geography

What countries are considered part of South Asia? India India Pakistan Pakistan Nepal Nepal Bhutan Bhutan Bangladesh Bangladesh Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Maldives Maldives

Subcontinent South Asia is sometimes called a subcontinent – a large landmass that is smaller than a continent. In fact, it is often called the Indian Subcontinent because India dominates the region.

How does the size of South Asia compare to that of the United States? About ½ the size

Is the population of South Asia greater or less than the U.S.? 5x the size

Where is the highest population density? Why?

South Asia has more than 1 billion inhabitants – 1/5 of the world’s population.

What can you say about the population density of South Asia? ½ the size of US but 5x the population =10x the population density

What is the world’s tallest mountain? Mt. Everest

Where is this mountain located? Nepal-China

What are South Asia’s highest mountains

The land now called the Indian Subcontinent was once part of East Africa. It split off from Africa and started drifting towards Asia. When the two land masses collided, the land in the collision zone was forced upward to form the Himalayas.

These mountains are still rising and scientists predict that as the two tectonic plates continue to push against each other, India will eventually become one huge mountain range.

What island lies off the coast of India?

Sri Lanka - “Tear Drop” Lies off the southern tip of India Lies off the southern tip of India Lush and tropical Lush and tropical Center of the island dominated by mountains Center of the island dominated by mountains

More than 1200 islands Only about 200 are inhabited None of them rise more than 6 feet above sea level The Maldives Archipelago

What is the longest river in India?

Ganges River It flows from a glacier in the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal It flows from a glacier in the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal The Ganges is not only an important water source but a sacred river. The Ganges is not only an important water source but a sacred river. According to Hindu beliefs, it is a life giving river and they believe the river has healing powers According to Hindu beliefs, it is a life giving river and they believe the river has healing powers

Pollution The Ganges is one of the most polluted rivers in the world The Ganges is one of the most polluted rivers in the world Raw sewage and industrial waste Raw sewage and industrial waste Dead animals float in the water and even human corpses are thrown in Dead animals float in the water and even human corpses are thrown in As a result the water is poisoned with toxic chemicals and deadly bacteria As a result the water is poisoned with toxic chemicals and deadly bacteria Many people who drink or bathe in the water become ill with stomach or intestinal diseases Many people who drink or bathe in the water become ill with stomach or intestinal diseases According to many Hindu believers, the river is too holy to be harmed by pollution. According to many Hindu believers, the river is too holy to be harmed by pollution.

What is the general elevation pattern from south to north? Gradual increase moving towards the Himalayas

What is the general elevation pattern from east to west? Elevation is lowest on the coasts and gradually increases as move inland

How does the elevation pattern of Sri Lanka compare to the rest of South Asia? Very similar, except there are no high mountains

The first great civilization of South Asia developed along the Indus River more than 4,000 years ago

What appear to be the natural boundaries of the Indus Valley civilization? Mountain ranges, Thar Desert, Arabian Sea

To what physical feature does the civilization appear to conform? Indus River

What country dominates South Asia?

Interesting Fact Until about 1960, Bhutan was a kingdom forbidden to outsiders. At that time only about 100 western visitors had been to Bhutan. This isolationism was helped by its borders being made up of jungles or mountains.

In which country are the most religions practiced?

Which religion is predominant in India?

Which religion is predominant in Pakistan?

What is the predominant religion in Sri Lanka?

What areas have the least amount of economic activity? Why?

What is the major economic activity in this region?

Half of the climate zones that exist can be found in South Asia – 6 zones. This means that Asians must adapt to widely varying conditions.

Which zone would be the coldest? This is the area of the Himalayas where snow exists year round

The lower elevations of the mountain range are much warmer and are humid subtropical. The Semi arid regions have high temperatures and light rainfall.

What would be the driest area? Where would the wettest area be?

Monsoons and Cyclones Monsoons are seasonal winds Monsoons are seasonal winds October – February dry winds blow October – February dry winds blow June – September winds blow in from the Southwest bringing moist ocean air June – September winds blow in from the Southwest bringing moist ocean air Cyclones are violent storms with fierce winds and heavy rain, like a hurricane. Cyclones are violent storms with fierce winds and heavy rain, like a hurricane.

What is the main vegetation region?