10/9 Focus: Geographic conditions in the Indus River Valley allowed for the development of civilization on the Indian subcontinent Seasonal monsoons were and continue to be an important factor in the life of people on the Indian subcontinent Do Now: What is a peninsula?

River Valley Civilizations The Indus Valley Geography of South Asia (Indian Subcontinent)

The Indus Valley civilization developed around 2,500 B. C The Indus Valley civilization developed around 2,500 B.C. in the western part of South Asia

Indian Subcontinent Landmass that includes the modern day nations of: Pakistan Bangladesh Separated from Asia by large mountain ranges in the North Himalayas Hindu Kush Karakoram

Indian Subcontinent Southern half is large peninsula Peninsula Landmass with water on three sides

Geographic Regions Three distinct geographic regions Mountains in the north Deccan Plateau Northern Plains

Mountains Kept climate subtropical Limited contact with other groups Ways through the Mts. Khyber Pass Mountain pass in the Hindu Kush Allowed movement into the Indus Valley Thar Desert

Khyber Pass is still an important way through the mountains today

Deccan Plateau Plateau Raised, flat area of land Dry, Arid region in the center of the subcontinent

Northern Plains Three rivers pass through this area Indus Ganges Brahmaputra Silt from flooding made the soil fertile Civilizations developed here

Monsoons Seasonal winds Summer Winter Heavy rains, warm air Cool, Dry air

Monsoons Brought rain needed for crops Led to flooding of rivers and creation of fertile silt

Environmental Challenges Floods along the Indus unpredictable river can change course Rainfall unpredictable; could have droughts or floods