SOUTH ASIA: PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

A SEPARATE LAND

The seven countries that make up South Asia are separated from the rest of Asia by mountains, making South Asia a Subcontinent Subcontinent – a large, distinct landmass that is

joined to a continent Most of the region forms a peninsula of about

1.7 million square miles, being touched by three bodies of water: The Indian Ocean The Arabian Sea The Bay of Bengal

A LAND OF GREAT VARIETY: MOUNTAINS The Himalaya

Formed after the subcontinent broke away from the same large landmass that contained Africa and smashed into the southern edge of Asia.

Extends more than 1,000 miles across the northern edge of the peninsula, and hundreds of mile wide.

Contains Mt. Everest The world highest peak – rises 29,035 feet above sea level.

The Himalaya meet the Karakoram Mountains in the northernmost part of the region The Hindu Kush range completes the chain

Over the centuries, the mountains have served as protection from foreign invaders, forcing them through a small number of narrow crossing places (Khyber Pass)

HIMALAYAN MOUNTAINS

http://www.sciencechannel.com/tv-shows/wonders-with-brian-cox/videos/wonders-of-the-universe-himalayan-mountains.htm

A LAND OF GREAT VARIETY

Central Landforms The same collision that created the Himalaya

also created the Vindhya (ˈvin-dyə, -dē-ə) Range in India This range divides India into its northern and southern

regions These Regions each have their own distinct cuisine,

architecture, and religious practices

Southern Land Forms Eastern & Western Ghats (gawts, gots)

Eroded mountains in southern India Between them lies the Deccan Plateau

The Western Ghats prevents yearly rainy winds from reaching the plateau

Instead the Karnataka Plateau receives the rain.

MAJOR RIVER SYSTEMS

Indus River Flows mainly through Pakistan, and empties in

the Arabian Sea Serves as an important transportation route Known as the “cradle” of ancient India

Brahmaputra (brah-muh-poo-truh) River Flows east through the Himalaya, then west into

India and Bangladesh There it joins the Ganges – to form a delta before

emptying into the Bay of Bengal Serves as an important inland transportation

route Provides Bangladesh with 50% of its power

through hydroelectricity

MAJOR RIVER SYSTEMS

Ganges River Flows east from the Himalaya Most important river in South Asia The land area through which the river flows is

called the Ganges Plain Almost all of this land is used for crops (rice, sesame,

sugarcane, jute, and beans) World longest alluvial plain – an area of fertile

soil deposited by river flood waters Also is India’s most densely populated area

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS: GANGES RIVER

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/specials/in-the-field-specials/cousteau-ganges-kampur-threats/

End 3:40

NATURAL RESOURCES

Energy Resources Petroleum

Reserves near Ganges Delta, and northern Pakistan Overall South Asia is dependent on imported oil

Natural Gas Fields Southern Pakistan Ganges Delta Region Bangladesh

Uranium India – north of the Eastern Ghats

Hydroelectricity

MINERALS

India Leading exporter of iron ore Supplies 90% of world’s mica – a layered rock

used in making electrical equipment Nepal

Mica Small amounts of copper

Sri Lanka One of world’s largest graphite producers Sapphires, Rubies, and other precious stones

TIMBER

Timber is an important part of South Asia’s economy

Forests of Nepal and Bhutan (bü-ˈtän, -ˈtan) Silver fir, oak, magnolia, beech, and birch

India Sandalwood, sal, and teaks woods