1. Physical Geography South Asia

2. 1

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

4. 2

5. Subcontinent South Asia is a subcontinent or a large landmass smaller than a continent. South Asia is a subcontinent or a large landmass smaller than a continent. Called the Indian Subcontinent because India dominates the region. Called the Indian Subcontinent because India dominates the region.

6. What country dominates South Asia?

7. 3

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

9. 4

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

11. 5

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

13. 6

14. Where is the highest population density? Why?

16. South Asia has more than 1 billion people – 1/6 (16.6%) of the world’s population.

17. South Asia is one of the most densely populated regions in the world.

18. What are South Asia’s highest mountains

19. 7

20. The Himalayas – “Abode of Snow”

23. 8 Think of landforms that would make travel difficult in the mountains. Think of landforms that would make travel difficult in the mountains.

24. 9

25. What is the world’s tallest mountain from sea level? Mt. Everest

26. Mount Everest

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

28. 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.

29. 10 10

30. The Indian plate smashed into the Eurasian plate to force than land upward to form the Himalayas. The Indian plate smashed into the Eurasian plate to force than land upward to form the Himalayas.

31. What island lies off the coast of India?

32. 11 11

33. South of India South of India Tropical climate and plants Tropical climate and plants Center of the island is mountainous Center of the island is mountainous Sri Lanka

34. 12 12

35. More than 1200 islands Only about 200 are inhabited None of them rise more than 6 feet above sea level The Maldives Archipelago (Archipelago or island group)

36. 13 13

37. What are the longest rivers in India? Remember question # 6, these rivers are where people are most crowded in South Asia?

39. 14 14

40. Ganges River Flows from a glacier in the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal Flows from a glacier in the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal The Ganges is an important water source and also a sacred river. The Ganges is an important water source and also a sacred river. Hindus believe it is a life giving river that has healing powers Hindus believe it is a life giving river that has healing powers Sacred means holy, blessed or revered.

41. Pollution: The Ganges is one of the most polluted rivers in the world Raw sewage and industrial waste Raw sewage and industrial waste Dead animals and even human corpses float in the water Dead animals and even human corpses float in the water 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.

42. 15 15

43. What is the general elevation pattern in South Asia? Elevation is lowest on the coasts and is higher inland

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

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

46. 16 16

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

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

49. 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.

50. In which country are the most religions practiced?

51. 17 17

52. Which religion is predominant in India?

53. Which religion is predominant in Pakistan?

54. What is the predominant religion in Sri Lanka?

55. 18 18

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

57. What is the major economic activity in this region?

58. A variety of climate zones are found in South Asia.

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

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

61. What would be the driest area? What areas would receive the most rain?

62. What is the main vegetation region?

63. 19 19

64. Rain shadow The land on the leeward side of hills or mountains that gets little rain from the descending dry air

66. 20 20

67. Monsoons –”Season of winds” Monsoons are seasonal winds Monsoons are seasonal winds Winter monsoon: October – February dry northeast winds blow from mountains Winter monsoon: October – February dry northeast winds blow from mountains Summer monsoon: June – September moist southwest winds blow from ocean Summer monsoon: June – September moist southwest winds blow from ocean