1. The Cultural Geography of South Asia Mr. Marston Dominion Christian High School Geography 2009

2. Human Characteristics 1/5 of earth’s population lives in South Asia (1.4 Billion people) Diverse: Religious, Cultural, Social, linguistic

3. India’s Population A. Descendants of Dravidians B. Aryans: invaders from Central Asia C. Descendants of British and Portuguese colonists D. Refugees from Tibet and Sri Lanka

4. India’s Religions Hinduism Jati: a group that defines one’s occupation and social position Islam Buddhism Sikhs Jainism Christianity

5. Pakistan and Bangladesh Islamic heritage 90% are practicing Muslims Culturally diverse in Pakistan Culturally monolithic in Bangladesh (Bengali)

6. Sri Lanka Sinhalese: Buddhist majority and control the government Tamils: Hindus. Over 100,000 Sri Lankans have died since 1984 and one million people displaced from their homes

7. SriLankan civil war

8. Bhutan and Nepal Ancestors from Mongolia Bhutan: Bhote and Tibetan ancestry Nepal: famous ethnic group is the Sherpas.

9. bhutan and Nepal

10. Population Density and Distribution 814 per sq. mile: 7 times the world’s average South Asia will double its current population by 2050.

11. Regional Variation Climate, vegetation, and physical features have an impact on the number of people the land can support Population decreases as the elevation increases. Most people live in the Ganges Plain and along the Indian coast

12. Living People live where their food supply can be grown (Rice) Live near jobs: tea and rubber plantations

13. Bangladesh Second most densely populated country in South Asia Has difficulty feeding its population Very poor

14. Urban and Rural Life Most South Asians live in the country They farm, live in villages, and are subsistence farmers South Asia is home to nomadic or semi- nomadic groups.

15. Growing Urbanization Over time, more people have moved to cities in hopes of better jobs and higher wages. People strain the public resources and facilities (schools and hospitals) Problems: Housing, Overcrowding, Pollution

16. South Asia’s cities Mumbai (Bombay) 18.1 million people Kolkata (Calcutta): center of India’s iron and steel industries Delhi: Dhaka, Bangladesh: world’s second most densely populated urban area. Karachi, Pakistan Megapolis: chain of closely linked metropolitan areas.