The Physical Geography of South Asia

Ch. 21 Sec. 1 pp. 542-545

Political Map • #1-Pakistan

• #2-India • #3-Nepal

• #4-Bhutan • #5-Bangladesh • #6-Sri Lanka

Physical Map • #1-Arabian Sea

• #2-Indian Ocean • #3-Bay of Bengal • #4-Indus River

• #5-Ganges River • #6-Hindu Kush

• #7-Himalyas • #8-Mt. Everest

• #9-Western/Eastern Ghats • #10-Indus River Valley

• #11-Thar Desert • #12-Deccan Plateau

• #13-Tarai • #14-Gangetic Plain

Indian Subcontinent • The Indian Subcontinent

was once a part of Africa. • Over millions of years,

the subcontinent drifted away from Africa and collided with Asia. Creating the highest mountain range called the Himalayas.

Think About It…

• How might Asia be different today if the Indian Subcontinent

was still a part of Africa?

Mountains

Think About It…

• How would life be different for people living in the mountainous areas of South Asia than for those living in other areas of the region?

Rivers

Think About It… • Why are rivers often the most

populated areas of a region?

• How can the Ganges and Indus Rivers be both a blessing and a

curse?

Other Features

Climate Regions • ______ (Himalayas)

• ________________(Gangetic Plain)

• Tropical Savanna (Deccan Plateau)

• ________________(SW India/Islands)

• Desert & Steppe

Monsoons • Monsoons are seasonal

winds that bring either moist or dry air to an area.

• From June to October, summer monsoons bring moist air up from the Indian Ocean, causing heavy rains.

• In the winter, the winds change direction, bringing dry air from the north. Because of this little rain falls from November to January.

Monsoons

Climates of South Asia

Think About It…

• What impact do the summer monsoons have on South Asia?

The winter monsoons?

Those Wild Winds

• What four months average the greatest amount of rainfall? • What do you think accounts for this dramatic increase in rainfall

from June through September? • Between what two consecutive months does rainfall increase the

most? • Between what two consecutive months does rainfall decrease the

most?

Natural Resources

Natural Resources • Because agriculture is widely important,

arable land or fertile land is an important natural resource.

• Farming is the largest economic activity in Indian Subcontinent.

• Coal, iron ore, and copper are the other natural resources.

• Most of the energy in this region comes from coal.

Natural Resources

Think About It…

• Why is fertile soil often considered to be South Asia’s

most valuable resource?