South AsiaSouth AsiaChapter 24Chapter 24Geography OverviewGeography Overview

Physical GeographyPhysical Geography

Natural ResourcesNatural Resources Rivers Rivers

For irrigation and drinkingFor irrigation and drinking Rich soilRich soil

Growing cotton and riceGrowing cotton and rice HimalayasHimalayas

Natural barrier to ChinaNatural barrier to China

Mountains and PlateausMountains and Plateaus

South Asia – South Asia – subcontinentsubcontinent

Himalayas and Himalayas and Hindu Kush – Hindu Kush – formed when formed when tectonic plates tectonic plates collidedcollided

Mount Everest

The Himalayas

SherpasSherpas- are a - are a Nepalese ethnic Nepalese ethnic group numbering group numbering around 150,000. around 150,000. They are They are renowned for their renowned for their climbing skills and climbing skills and superior strength superior strength and endurance at and endurance at high altitudeshigh altitudes

Rivers, Deltas and PlainsRivers, Deltas and Plains

3 great rivers of South Asia3 great rivers of South Asia GangesGanges IndusIndus BrahmaputraBrahmaputra

Indo-Gangetic PlainsIndo-Gangetic Plains Extends from Pakistan across northern India and Extends from Pakistan across northern India and

BangladeshBangladesh Most heavily populated, 3/5 of India’s populationMost heavily populated, 3/5 of India’s population

Alluvial Plains – lands that are rich Alluvial Plains – lands that are rich farmlandsfarmlands

Offshore IslandsOffshore Islands

Two island Two island countriescountries MaldivesMaldives

Composed of 1200+ Composed of 1200+ small islands small islands (archipelago)(archipelago)

Atolls – individual Atolls – individual volcano islands volcano islands surrounded by coral surrounded by coral reefs and shallow reefs and shallow lagoonslagoons

Sri Lanka – single Sri Lanka – single large islandlarge island

http://www.nationsillustrated.com/picture/8421

Natural ResourcesNatural Resources

WaterWater River systems – Provide water River systems – Provide water

for irrigationfor irrigation FishingFishing Transportation and powerTransportation and power

MineralsMinerals Iron ore – steel industryIron ore – steel industry Mica – computer industryMica – computer industry

Deforestation problem – causes erosion, Deforestation problem – causes erosion, flooding, landslides, and loss of fieldsflooding, landslides, and loss of fields

ClimateClimate

South Asia has 6 main climate zonesSouth Asia has 6 main climate zones Monsoons – seasonal windsMonsoons – seasonal winds

October thru February – dry weather from October thru February – dry weather from northeastnortheast

June thru September – heavy rains from southwestJune thru September – heavy rains from southwest Most extreme weather in South Asia?Most extreme weather in South Asia? CycloneCyclone

violent storm w/ fierce winds and heavy rainsviolent storm w/ fierce winds and heavy rains Which country is most affected?Which country is most affected? BangladeshBangladesh

VegetationVegetation

Thar Desert has little plant life/few Thar Desert has little plant life/few peoplepeople

ForestsForests India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri LankaIndia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka

Climate zone treesClimate zone trees Tropical Wet: teak, ebony, bambooTropical Wet: teak, ebony, bamboo

Deltas: MangrovesDeltas: Mangroves Highlands: evergreensHighlands: evergreens Subtropical: sal, oak, chestnut, palmSubtropical: sal, oak, chestnut, palm

Human – Environment Human – Environment InteractionInteraction

Ganges River Ganges River Hindus believe it is sacredHindus believe it is sacred

Bathe, drink, scatter ashes of the dead, worshipBathe, drink, scatter ashes of the dead, worship Health hazardHealth hazard

Extreme pollution causes illness, many of which are Extreme pollution causes illness, many of which are life-threateninglife-threatening

Feni RiverFeni River Flooding often intensified by storm surgesFlooding often intensified by storm surges Built a dam, used manual labor to complete itBuilt a dam, used manual labor to complete it Passed a crucial test - dam held against storm Passed a crucial test - dam held against storm

surgesurge

Ganges River & PollutionGanges River & Pollution