Physical Geography of India Landforms South Asia is

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Physical Geography of India Landforms • South Asia is separated from the rest of

Physical Geography of India Landforms • South Asia is separated from the rest of Asia by the Himalaya, Karakoram Range, and the Hindu Kush mountain ranges. • India occupies most of the subcontinent, a large landmass that is part of a continent but still distinct from it. • The Gangetic Plain, the world’s longest alluvial plain, an area of fertile soil deposited by floodwaters, is India’s most densely populated area.

Physical Geography of India Water Systems • Three major river systems, the Ganges, the

Physical Geography of India Water Systems • Three major river systems, the Ganges, the Brahmaputra, and the Indus, flow from sources high in the Himalaya through the northern part of the subcontinent. • The Ganges is a sacred river to the Hindus, and many major cities are located on its shores. • The Indus flows mostly through Pakistan and is an important source of irrigation and a major transportation route.

Physical Geography of India Climates, Biomes, and Resources • India’s shape, proximity to the

Physical Geography of India Climates, Biomes, and Resources • India’s shape, proximity to the Equator, and the influence of the Indian Ocean affect its climate. • The monsoon winds cause rainfall and temperatures to fluctuate, or ebb and flow, creating wet and dry seasons. • Cyclones, storms with heavy rains and high winds, are the most common natural hazards in South Asia. • Tsunamis, huge sea waves caused by undersea earthquakes, also threaten the region and can destroy villages and kill thousands.

Human Geography of India History and Government • India and its primary religion, Hinduism,

Human Geography of India History and Government • India and its primary religion, Hinduism, have a rigid social structure based on the social position in which a person is born, called a caste or jati. • Muslim invaders arrived in the 700 s, culminating in a Muslim dynasty led by the Moguls, during which time many Indians converted to Islam. • Britain’s imperialist policy resulted in its taking direct control of India until India won independence in 1947 and became Hindu India and Muslim Pakistan. • India is the world’s most populous democracy.

Human Geography of India Population Patterns • India is second only to China in

Human Geography of India Population Patterns • India is second only to China in population, and is likely to surpass China in the next 20 years. • Most Indians belong to two ethnic groups, though many self-identify according to religious affiliations. • India’s cities are some of the world’s most populated, but most of its people live in rural areas. • Growing numbers have been migrating to cities for better opportunities, straining resources.

Human Geography of India Society and Culture Today • Indians speak more than 1,

Human Geography of India Society and Culture Today • Indians speak more than 1, 000 languages with Hindi the most widely spoken. • Nearly 80 percent are Hindu and identify themselves by jati, only 13 percent are Muslim. • In rural India, those in higher jatis live in the village center, while those in lower jatis live in the surrounding areas. • Nearly all Indians marry, have children, and live in extended families, but many marriages are arranged according to jati.

Human Geography of India Economic Activities • Governmental deregulation of many industries sparked economic

Human Geography of India Economic Activities • Governmental deregulation of many industries sparked economic growth, but also contributed to economic inequality. • Half the population works in agriculture, and farmers still rely on labor-intensive methods. • India has many well educated people working in the fields of high technology and engineering. • India’s energy consumption increases every year, as more people buy cars and use more electricity.

People and Their Environment: India Managing Resources • India has made huge strides in

People and Their Environment: India Managing Resources • India has made huge strides in reducing poverty and has improved health and education. • Development policies have put many resources at risk, such as the degradation of 40 percent of forests, leading to erosion and flooding. • Air and water pollution are growing threats as the population continues to expand its consumption of resources increases.

People and Their Environment: India Human Impact • India’s population size and density create

People and Their Environment: India Human Impact • India’s population size and density create significant human impact on the environment, the complex physical, chemical, and biotic factors that act upon an ecological community. • While India has greatly improved water quality and sanitation, overcrowding in urban areas still threatens water resources. • Fires used for cooking and an ever increasing number of cars continue to create smog and harmful air pollution.

People and Their Environment: India Addressing the Issues • India’s government has worked to

People and Their Environment: India Addressing the Issues • India’s government has worked to protect the environment and added that mission to its constitution in 1976. • Indian courts have enforced laws aimed at restricting harmful pesticides and reducing ecotourism in India’s tiger reserves. • Efforts continue to improve the quality of life through sustainable development and economic growth.