Introduction Section 1 The Land Section 2 Climate

Introduction Section 1: The Land Section 2: Climate and Vegetation Visual Summary

A study of the physical geography of South Asia will explain the contrasts between the northern and southern areas of the region and how South Asia’s large populations depend upon the seasonal monsoon rains that sometimes bring devastating consequences.

Section 1: The Land Places reflect the relationship between humans and the physical environment. In South Asia’s varied landscapes, large numbers of people depend on the region’s physical environment, river systems, and natural resources for their livelihoods.

Section 2: Climate and Vegetation The characteristics and distribution of ecosystems help people understand environmental issues. Seasonal winds in South Asia strongly influence temperature and rainfall, which affect what crops people grow and how people and the environment are affected by too much or too little rain.

The Land In South Asia’s varied landscapes, large numbers of people depend on the region’s physical environment, river systems, and natural resources for their livelihoods.

The Land • subcontinent • alluvial plain • eroded • challenges • generated

The Land A. Himalaya B. Khyber Pass C. Gangetic Plain D. Vindhya E. Satpura Range F. Deccan Plateau G. Ganges River H. Brahmaputra River I. Indus River

The Land Which mountain range absorbs the monsoon rains and slowly releases them into the region? A. Eastern Ghats B. Western Ghats C. Himalayas D. Vindhya Range A. B. C. D. A B C D

Landforms South Asia’s landforms affect where people live and influence seasonal rain patterns. • Northern landforms: – Himalaya Mountains – Karakoram Mountains – Hindu Kush range – Khyber Pass

Landforms (cont. ) – Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra rivers – Gangetic Plain – Chota Nagpur Plateau

Landforms (cont. ) • Central and Southern landforms: – Vindhya Range – Satpura Range – Eastern and Western Ghats – Deccan Plateau – Karnataka Plateau – Sri Lanka – Maldives South Asia: Elevation Profile

South Asia is separated from the rest of Asia by which of the following? A. Rivers B. Mountains C. Dense forests D. An ocean A. B. C. D. A B C D

Water Systems South Asia’s major river systems bring fertile soil to the floodplains, serve as transportation routes, and provide hydroelectricity. • Three major river systems: – Ganges—most important river in South Asia – Brahmaputra – Indus

Which river is known as the “cradle of ancient India”? A. Ganges B. Brahmaputra C. Indus A. A B. B C. C

Natural Resources South Asia has a variety of natural resources upon which large populations are dependent for their livelihoods. • Rivers: – Drinking water – Hydroelectric power – Alluvial soil – Fish – Transportation

Natural Resources (cont. ) • Mineral resources, such as iron ore and graphite • Energy sources, such as petroleum, natural gas • Timber resources, such as sandalwood and teak

Which country is the world’s largest producer of graphite? A. Sri Lanka B. Pakistan C. Bangladesh D. India A. B. C. D. A B C D

Climate and Vegetation Seasonal winds in South Asia strongly influence temperature and rainfall, which affect what crops people grow and how people and the environment are affected by too much or too little rain.

Climate and Vegetation • monsoon • cyclone • period • triggers • tsunami

Climate and Vegetation A. Bay of Bengal B. Sundarbans C. Thar Desert

Climate and Vegetation Most of Asia experiences which type of climate? A. Tropical B. Highland C. Midlatitude D. Dry A. B. C. D. A B C D

Climate Regions Much of South Asia has tropical climates with ample rainfall and a variety of vegetation; however, the climates vary widely in the north and west, where mountain ranges block rainfall. • Tropical regions: – Tropical wet – Tropical dry South Asia: Vegetation

Climate Regions (cont. ) • Midlatitude and highland regions: – Mixed forest – Deciduous forest – Humid subtropical – Himalayan highlands • Dry regions: – Desert—Thar Desert – Steppe

Does much of South Asia lie south or north of the Tropic of Cancer? A. South B. North A. A B. B

Seasonal Weather Patterns Seasonal weather patterns bring muchneeded rainfall to South Asia, but monsoon winds, as well as other natural disasters, can also bring devastating hardships. • Three distinct seasons: – Hot – Wet – Cool Comparing Climates

Seasonal Weather Patterns (cont. ) • These seasons depend on seasonal winds called monsoons. • Temperature and rainfall impact agriculture in the region. • Factors: – Extreme heat – Monsoon winds

Seasonal Weather Patterns (cont. ) • Natural disasters: – Flooding from monsoon rains – Cyclones – Earthquakes – Tsunamis

The monsoons are heaviest in which part of South Asia? A. Eastern B. Western C. Northern D. Southern A. B. C. D. A B C D

A. The Himalaya • Created by collision of tectonic plates; extend more than 1, 500 miles (2, 414 km) across northern edge of South Asia • Includes Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak at 29, 028 feet (8, 848 m)

B. Gangetic Plain • World’s longest alluvial plain • Watered by the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Indus Rivers; agriculturally productive area • India’s most densely populated area

C. Vindhya and Satpura Ranges • Mountains in central India created by collision of tectonic plates • Separate the distinct cultures of northern and southern India

D. Indus River • Flows mainly through Pakistan; empties into Arabian Sea • Known as the cradle of ancient India • Remains an important transportation route

E. Deccan Plateau • Plateau region in southern India; located between Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats • Rich soil with wet and dry seasons

F. Ganges River • Flows east from the Himalaya; empties into Bay of Bengal • Drainage basin covers about 400, 000 square miles (about 1 million sq. km) • Named for Hindu goddess Ganga; sacred to Hindus

G. Brahmaputra River • Flows through India and Bangladesh • Joins the Ganges river to form a delta; empties into Bay of Bengal • Major inland waterway; also provides hydroelectric power

H. Monsoons • Hot season is from late February to June • Wet season is from June or July to September • Cool season is from October to late February

subcontinent large landmass that is part of a continent but still distinct from it, such as India

alluvial plain floodplain, such as the Gangetic Plain in South Asia, on which flooding rivers have deposited rich soil

monsoon in Asia, seasonal wind that brings warm, moist air from the oceans in summer and cold, dry air from inland in winter

cyclone storm with heavy rains and high winds which blow in a circular pattern around an area of low atmospheric pressure

tsunami Japanese term used for a huge sea wave caused by an undersea earthquake

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