South Asia Geography

Nickname for South Asia? “The Indian subcontinent” “The Indian subcontinent” Subcontinent: a large land mass that is smaller than a continent Subcontinent: a large land mass that is smaller than a continent

Indian Sub-Continent/ South Asia

3 Physical Geographic Areas I. Northern Mountains 1. Himalaya world’s highest range including Mt. Everest world’s highest range including Mt. Everest form border between Indian form border between Indian Subcontinent and China Subcontinent and China

Himalaya

Himalaya- Everest

3 Physical Geographic Areas I. Northern Mountains 2. Hindu Kush On NW border with Afghanistan On NW border with Afghanistan Helped isolate the region Helped isolate the region Khyber Pass Khyber Pass

Hindu Kush

Khyber Pass

3 Physical Geographic Areas I. Northern Mountains 3. Major rivers of South Asia start from melting ice fields in mountains * High valleys support distinctive village cultures (ex. Kashmir Valley – origin of cashmere wool)

Sheep in Kashmir Valley

3 Physical Geographic Areas II. Northern Plains 4. Indo-Gangetic Plain (p. 781)

Indo-Gangetic Plain

3 Physical Geographic Areas II. Northern Plains 4. Indo-Gangetic Plain (p. 781) From Pakistan to India to Bangladesh From Pakistan to India to Bangladesh Fresh water Fresh water Fertile soil – “bread basket” Fertile soil – “bread basket” High population density High population density

3 Physical Geographic Areas II. Northern Plains 5. Rivers Indus River Indus River major river in Pakistan major river in Pakistan high population density high population density “cradle of civilization” “cradle of civilization”

3 Physical Geographic Areas II. Northern Plains Rivers 5. Ganges River Flows through India and joins the Brahmaputra River in Bangladesh to form a delta Flows through India and joins the Brahmaputra River in Bangladesh to form a delta Delta is very fertile, but has severe flooding Delta is very fertile, but has severe flooding Sacred to Hindus Sacred to Hindus

Ganges River

Ganges River Delta

3 Physical Geographic Areas II. Northern Plains 6. Thar Desert NW India and N Pakistan NW India and N Pakistan Size of Colorado Size of Colorado Home to nomadic herders Home to nomadic herders

Thar Desert

3 Physical Geographic Areas III. Deccan Plateau 7. High, flat land that covers half the subcontinent Populated by farmers Populated by farmers 8. Vindhya Mts. Northern border of Deccan Plateau Northern border of Deccan Plateau separate N and S India separate N and S India barrier to travel and communication barrier to travel and communication

Deccan Plateau

3 Physical Geographic Areas 3) Deccan Plateau 3) Deccan Plateau The Ghats – low-lying mountains The Ghats – low-lying mountains Named after “ghats” or passes that cut through them Named after “ghats” or passes that cut through them Western Ghats on Arabian Sea blocked European explorers from the interior Western Ghats on Arabian Sea blocked European explorers from the interior Eastern Ghats permitted Europeans access to interior Eastern Ghats permitted Europeans access to interior

Western Ghats

Eastern Ghats

Sri Lanka

GORGEOUS but….highest point: 7’ 7”

Capital of the Maldives is Male