1. Northern Mountains-high, rugged ranges (Himalaya and Hindu Kush), block cold winds from Central/North Asia and the source of South Asia’s great rivers

2. Indo-Gangetic Plain- “bread basket”, fertile soil, plenty of rain and water, most populated region of South Asia...land surrounding Indus and Ganges Rivers

3. Deccan Plateau-peninsula, bordered by low-lying mountains (Ghats), highlands in center of peninsula, much dryer climate than Indo-Gangetic Plain, monsoons and irrigation systems are very important for farming

4. Monsoons- seasonal wind that provides much needed water during the wet monsoon....very important for farming and survival in much of the subcontinent