Asia: Physical GeographyAsia: Physical Geography

SSWG5 The student will describe the SSWG5 The student will describe the interaction of physical and human systems that interaction of physical and human systems that

have shaped contemporary South Asia, have shaped contemporary South Asia, Southeastern Asia, and Eastern Asia.Southeastern Asia, and Eastern Asia.

a. Describe the location of major physical features a. Describe the location of major physical features and their impact on the regions of Asia. and their impact on the regions of Asia.

Dividing the RegionDividing the Region

South Asia (Indian Peninsula)South Asia (Indian Peninsula)– India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc.India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc.

East AsiaEast Asia– China, Taiwan, Japan, North and South China, Taiwan, Japan, North and South

KoreaKorea

Southeast Asia Southeast Asia – Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia,

etc.etc.

South AsiaSouth Asia

SubcontinentSubcontinent-South Asia is separated -South Asia is separated from the rest of Asia by mountain from the rest of Asia by mountain ranges-like a continent, only smallerranges-like a continent, only smaller

Surrounded by 3 bodies of water-Surrounded by 3 bodies of water-Arabia Sea, Indian Ocean and the Arabia Sea, Indian Ocean and the Bay of BengalBay of Bengal

75% of the landmass in the country 75% of the landmass in the country of Indiaof India

South Asia: MountainsSouth Asia: Mountains

The HimalayasThe Himalayas – Formed 60 million years ago-1,500 miles Formed 60 million years ago-1,500 miles

longlong – Mount Everest-world’s highest peak-Mount Everest-world’s highest peak-

29,028 feet high29,028 feet high– Rooftop of the worldRooftop of the world

Hindu KushHindu Kush– Kept central Asian tribes from invading Kept central Asian tribes from invading

IndiaIndia

South Asia: RiversSouth Asia: Rivers3 great river systems begin in the 3 great river systems begin in the HimalayasHimalayas– Indus-flows mostly through Pakistan and Indus-flows mostly through Pakistan and

empties into the Arabia Seaempties into the Arabia Sea – Brahmaputra and Ganges-flow east into Brahmaputra and Ganges-flow east into

the Bay of Bengalthe Bay of Bengal

Rivers support life in the regionRivers support life in the regionGanges River is sacred for HindusGanges River is sacred for HindusThe Indo-Gangetic Plain is the most The Indo-Gangetic Plain is the most heavily populated part of South Asiaheavily populated part of South Asia– 3/5 of India’s population3/5 of India’s population

Home to the world’s 14 highest peaks including Mount Everest!!

South Asia: ClimateSouth Asia: Climate

Half of the world’s climate zones are found Half of the world’s climate zones are found in South Asiain South Asia

MonsoonsMonsoons– October-February, dry winds blow across South October-February, dry winds blow across South

Asia from the northeastAsia from the northeast– June-September, the winds blow in from the June-September, the winds blow in from the

southwest bringing moist ocean air and heavy southwest bringing moist ocean air and heavy rainfallrainfall

Monsoons are both devastating and Monsoons are both devastating and beneficial to life in South Asiabeneficial to life in South Asia

East Asia: Mountains, Plateaus, East Asia: Mountains, Plateaus, & Deserts& Deserts

Mountains kept China isolated from Mountains kept China isolated from other parts of Asiaother parts of Asia– Himalayas, Altai and Kunlun MountainsHimalayas, Altai and Kunlun Mountains

Plateaus, basins and deserts in western Plateaus, basins and deserts in western China make the area sparsely populatedChina make the area sparsely populated

Gobi DesertGobi Desert– One of the largest in the worldOne of the largest in the world– Larger than Texas and California combinedLarger than Texas and California combined

East AsiaEast Asia

Major Rivers of ChinaMajor Rivers of China– Huang He (Yellow River)Huang He (Yellow River)

Called the Yellow River because of its yellow Called the Yellow River because of its yellow siltsilt

Also called “china’s sorrow” because of the Also called “china’s sorrow” because of the terrible floods it has causedterrible floods it has caused

– Chang Jiang (Yangtze River)Chang Jiang (Yangtze River)Longest river in all of AsiaLongest river in all of Asia

Serves as a major trade routeServes as a major trade route

Also floods causing a lot of damageAlso floods causing a lot of damage

East AsiaEast Asia

Islands and Peninsulas:Islands and Peninsulas:

Korean Peninsula contains the Korean Peninsula contains the countries of North and South Koreacountries of North and South Korea

Japan is an island nation on an Japan is an island nation on an archipelagoarchipelago– Many volcanoes and experiences Many volcanoes and experiences

earthquakesearthquakes

Southeast AsiaSoutheast Asia

Southeast Asia consists of 2 parts:Southeast Asia consists of 2 parts:– Mainland: Indochinese and Malay Mainland: Indochinese and Malay

PeninsulasPeninsulas– Islands (archipelagos)Islands (archipelagos)

Many of Southeast Asia’s mountains Many of Southeast Asia’s mountains are of volcanic origin.are of volcanic origin.– Part of the Ring of FirePart of the Ring of Fire

The region is also plagued by The region is also plagued by monsoonsmonsoons

Archipelagoes Archipelagoes

Indonesia: 13,000 Indonesia: 13,000 islandsislands

Philippines: 7,100 Philippines: 7,100 islandsislands

TsunamisTsunamis

Nations in East Asia and Southeast Nations in East Asia and Southeast Asia experience the effects of Asia experience the effects of tsunamis tsunamis

Earthquakes and other tectonic Earthquakes and other tectonic movement can cause huge waves movement can cause huge waves called tsunamicalled tsunami

Tsunami waves can travel at Tsunami waves can travel at hundreds of miles an hour and rise hundreds of miles an hour and rise up to 100 feet or more in heightup to 100 feet or more in height