Ch 16 Section 3 Nepals land forms a

Ch 16 Section 3

• Nepal’s land forms a stairway to the world’s highest mountain range—the Himalaya. • Nepal is home to Mount Everest. • Nepal has fertile valleys and a humid subtropical climate in the south. • The north has a highland climate.

• Nepal’s economy depends on farming. • Nepal carries on limited trade with the outside world. • Herbs, jute, rice, and wheat are exported to India. • In return, Nepal imports gasoline, fertilizer, and machinery. • Clothing and carpets now make up the country’s most valuable exports.

• Nepal is a parliamentary democracy ruled by a prime minister. • A king selects the prime minister. • The capital and largest city is Kathmandu.

• Bhutan—Land of the Thunder Dragon • The Himalaya are the major landform of the country. • More than 90 percent of Bhutan’s people are subsistence farmers. • They live in the fertile mountain valleys and grow cardamom, oranges, rice, corn, and potatoes. • People also herd cattle and yaks, which are a type of oxen.

• Bhutan has built hydroelectric plants and exports electricity to India. • Tourism is a new but limited industry. • Most people remain deeply loyal to Buddhism. • In Bhutan, Buddhist centers of prayer and study are called dzongs. • They have shaped the country’s art and culture. • In 1998 Bhutan began to move toward democracy. • A king shares power with elected lawmakers. • The capital is Thimphu.

• Sri Lanka—Brilliant Island • Sri Lanka has beaches, dense forests, and abundant wildlife. • It has tropical climates with wet and dry seasons. • Sri Lanka has been known for its agricultural economy. • It is also famous for its sapphires, rubies, and other gems. • Factories produce textiles, fertilizers, cement, leather products, and wood products for export. • New and growing industries are telecommunications, insurance, and banking.

• The Maldives are made up of about 1, 200 coral islands, but only 200 of the islands are inhabited. • Many of the islands are atolls. An atoll is a lowlying, ring-shaped island that surrounds a lagoon. • A lagoon is a shallow pool of water near a larger body of water. • The climate is warm and humid. • Tourism is the largest industry. Fishing is the second-largest industry.