South Asia

I. Physical Geography:A. South Asia is a SUBCONTINENT, a large, relatively self-

contained landmass forming a subdivision of a continent. What makes this area “self-contained”?

• Mountain ranges -Himalayas -Hindu-Kush

• Bodies of water : -Arabian Sea-Indian Ocean-Bay of Bengal

1. Definitions of the extent of the subcontinent differ but it usually includes :

-India-Pakistan-Bangladesh-Nepal-Bhutan-Sri Lanka-Maldives-Afghanistan is sometimesincludedas well.

2. South Asia is often referred to as the Indian Subcontinent

B. MOUNTAINS- two ranges have huge impact on the region. 1.They contain some of the highest peaks and the longest ranges on Earth.

2. The ranges which run along the northern border act as a barrier. The only place which can be crossed is the Khyber Pass. There are a few isolated populations that live in the mountains.

3.These groups live in areas where limited farming is possible and have goat herds. The high quality wool produced is used in cashmere clothing.

Hindu Kush Himalayan Mountains

The Himalayas

Khyber Pass*Journeyman Video- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXlF9HiUmJs

*BBC News Video- http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=khyber+pass&view=detail&mid=1D0072FEC42938823C511D0072FEC42938823C51&first=0&qpvt=khyber+pass

*Commander McBragg- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4roxM8hUMk

C. Besides the major mountain ranges, the Deccan Plateau contains the Vindhya Mountains. The range provides a barrier which has protected the subcontinent from invasions.

D. Deserts- The mountains act as a barrier and block monsoon rains from sweeping across the subcontinent. The Thar Desert developed when the rain fell only on one side of the mountains.

E. There are also three major river systems on the subcontinent. The rivers support the population.

-Ganges-Brahmaputra-Indus

The rivers carry silt from the mountains, which fertilizes the farmlands. The rivers also provide a source of water for irrigation.

Each of the rivers contributed to the culture of India.

a. Ganges – The most scared river. Thousands travel to purify

themselves and obtain water for religious ceremonies.

b. Brahmaputra – Combines with the Ganges River to provide fertile farmland and forms the Bay of Bengal.

c. Indus – Believe civilization in this region began

here

Main river of Pakistan