1. Physical Geography of Asia
Exploring Our World

2. South Asia
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Maldives

3. Watch out for Ra's al Ghul!!
Landforms
Watch out for Ra's al Ghul!!
Three mountain systems—the Hindu Kush, the Karakoram, and the Himalaya—separate the subcontinent from the rest of Asia.
Mount Everest, the world’s tallest mountain at 29,028 feet high, rises in the Himalaya of Nepal
Scientists believe that the subcontinent of South Asia was once part of Africa’s landmass. The subcontinent broke away and drifted across the Indian Ocean. When it collided with Asia, the force pushed up the mountains

4. Landforms
Wide, fertile plains lie south of the mountains. Three great rivers—the Indus, the Ganges, and the Brahmaputra—water the plains.
People depend on these rivers for farming, transportation, and trade.
Maldives lies off India’s western coast and includes more than 1,300 islands. Many of these are atolls, or circular- shaped islands made of coral
Indus River in India
Ostracod Crustaceans in Maldives

5. Resources South Asia is not rich in natural resources.
Most of the people farm small plots of land or tend livestock.
Energy resources in the region include natural gas and coal
India has most of the region’s mineral resources.
These include iron ore, manganese, and chromite (chrome plating and stainless steel)

6. Environmental Concerns
Freshwater is scarce
Water pollution is widespread. The Ganges River is one of the most polluted waterways in the world.
Sewage, runoff from factories and fertilizers, and human waste flow into urban areas
South Asia is one of the most densely populated regions on Earth.
20% of the world’s people live on 3% of the world’s land, and the population is increasing

7. Environmental Concerns
The number of cars in the cities has risen rapidly in recent years.
All of these vehicles release exhaust fumes, which makes the air dangerous to breathe.
In rural areas, people burn wood, kerosene, charcoal, and animal dung, which releases smoke and chemicals.
Many people develop breathing problems.

8. Climate South Asia has three distinct seasons— hot, wet, and cool.
Seasonal winds called monsoons determine when these seasons begin and end
The high temperatures of the hot season and the rains of the wet season have good and bad effects on South Asia
Too much rain can cause floods, which kill people and animals, ruin crops, destroy homes, and wipe out roads.
Cyclone
Tropical storm (same as hurricane, just different name)

9. Climate Zones Tropical Wet and Dry Steppe Desert Humid Subtropical
Highland

10. East and Southeast Asia
China, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, East Timor, Brunei, and the Philippines

11. Landforms Himalaya and Kunlun Shan tower over western parts of region
Fertile plains and valleys support most of the population
Japan and Taiwan are volcanic islands
Located in Ring of Fire, they experience numerous earthquakes and volcanic eruptions

12. Landforms
South of China, Southeast Asia is made up of mainland peninsulas and thousands of islands.
Like East Asia, the islands of Southeast Asia are part of the Ring of Fire and experience earthquakes and active volcanoes
744 active volcanoes

13. Seas and Rivers
The countries here have long coastlines along the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, and many seas.
These waterways influenced the region’s history.
For example, as an isolated island nation, Japan developed a unique culture

14. Seas and Rivers
Nearness to water affects the region’s economies as well.
Oceans and seas serve as trade routes. Much of the world’s shipping traffic travels on the South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca.
The people here also depend on the sea for food.
Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and China have the world’s biggest deep-sea fishing industries.

15. Seas and Rivers
Major Rivers
Yellow
Yangtze
Chao Phraya
Mekong

16. Natural Resources Oil Coal Hydroelectric Iron ore Chromium Manganese
Nickel
Tungsten
Pearls
Teak
Mahogany

17. Climate Zones Desert Humid Subtropical Tropical (most of the region)
Highland