IndiaNepalSri LankaPakistan BhutanAfghanistan BangladeshMaldives

  Formed when landmass collided with Asia.  South Asia is about ½ the size of the USA.  South Asia contains 20% of the world’s population. (approx billion as of 2012) SIZE AND ORIGINS

  South Asia has many climate zones, mainly affected by mountains and elevation -Dry in the northwest -Tropical in the north, between the mountain ranges -Dry in the southern interior, wet along the coasts Climate of South Asia -

 The Himalayas are the world’s highest mountains, with 20+ peaks above 24,000 ft. The Hindu Kush mountains have served as a barrier for years. Khyber Pass is one of the few ways past them. It is the main route between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The pass itself is entirely in Pakistan. PakistanAfghanistan WARNING: This area is dangerous! The whole region around the pass is volatile and unstable, with fighting between the Taliban and Pakistani military plus attacks by American drone bombs Once part of the famous “Silk Road.” The Ghats block moisture from reaching the interior. Cause the Deccan plateau to be dry.

  3 Major Rivers  Indus  Ganges  Brahmaputra  All 3 rivers start in the Himalayas  Fed by Glaciers

 Alluvial plains – soil carried down from mountains and deposited when river overflows banks.  Estuary – partially closed area of seawater with several rivers flowing into it. Landforms created by Rivers

  Fertile Soil  agriculture accounts for 50% of jobs  Transportation  people and goods  Water Supply  1.2 Billion in India  Religion  Ganges is sacred (Hinduism)  Hydroelectric Power Importance of Rivers

  Sri Lanka  Lush tropical island  Maldives  Archipelago – group of islands  Atoll – Low lying top of submerged volcano Islands

  Forests  Important resource  Deforestation is a concern  Minerals  Generate much of Energy  India 4 th in Coal, Has enough oil to support ½ its needs  Uranium for Nuclear Power  Iron Ore Deposits – world’s leaders in exporting iron ore  Mica – key in electrical equipment, make-up, and paint  Titanium (9 th largest reserves in world in Sri Lanka)  Gemstones  Diamonds (India)  Sapphires & Rubies (Sri Lanka) Natural Resources

  Monsoons – seasonal winds that bring heavy rainfall to South Asia during the summer.  Highly unpredictable  Causes floods in areas, droughts in others  Cyclones – (Hurricanes) can be very destructive to areas heavily populated along the coast.  Storm Surge – rising sea level causes flooding along coast Severe Weather