South AsiaSouth AsiaGeography, climate, and vegetationGeography, climate, and vegetation

Landforms and ResourcesLandforms and Resources

Considered a subcontinent.Considered a subcontinent. having a certain geographical or political having a certain geographical or political

independence" from the rest of the continentindependence" from the rest of the continent

India 1.2 billion people, 1/6 the world’s India 1.2 billion people, 1/6 the world’s population.population.

Dominated by the Himalayan Mountains and Dominated by the Himalayan Mountains and Hindu Kush Mountains which form a natural Hindu Kush Mountains which form a natural barrier.barrier.

Physical FeaturesPhysical Features

50 million years ago South Asia split from 50 million years ago South Asia split from East Africa and collided with Central AsiaEast Africa and collided with Central Asia

Tectonic plate collisions caused many Tectonic plate collisions caused many mountain ranges both large and small.mountain ranges both large and small.

3 main rivers include the Indus, Ganges, and 3 main rivers include the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra which flow from the mountains.Brahmaputra which flow from the mountains.

Rivers provide crucial irrigation.Rivers provide crucial irrigation.

Gangetic Plain is one of the most fertile Gangetic Plain is one of the most fertile farming regions in the world and has the farming regions in the world and has the majority of population.majority of population.

River Fertile Land Crops Food People

Why did early people settle Why did early people settle where they did?where they did?

ResourcesResources

South Asia relies on soil and water for farming South Asia relies on soil and water for farming and fishing.and fishing. Many types of fish for the world market.Many types of fish for the world market.

Waters provide transportation and power.Waters provide transportation and power.

Timber and other forest products are another Timber and other forest products are another important resource.important resource.

Deforestation is a severe problem which Deforestation is a severe problem which causes soil erosion, flooding, landslides, and causes soil erosion, flooding, landslides, and loss of wildlife.loss of wildlife.

South Asia produces coal, petroleum, natural South Asia produces coal, petroleum, natural gas, and uranium.gas, and uranium.

India is the leading producer of mica and iron-India is the leading producer of mica and iron-ore.ore.

6 main climate zones ranging from tropical 6 main climate zones ranging from tropical wet to highlands.wet to highlands.

Region affected by monsoons (seasonal winds)Region affected by monsoons (seasonal winds)

Monsoons bring heavy rainfalls that are crucial Monsoons bring heavy rainfalls that are crucial to life, yet are unpredictable.to life, yet are unpredictable.

Most extreme weather pattern is the cyclone.Most extreme weather pattern is the cyclone.

CycloneCyclone

Plant life varies according to climate and altitude.Plant life varies according to climate and altitude.

Most lush area is between India and Bangladesh.Most lush area is between India and Bangladesh.

Highland forest in Northern India, Nepal, and Highland forest in Northern India, Nepal, and Bhutan.Bhutan.

Semiarid areas of Pakistan-Indian border and Semiarid areas of Pakistan-Indian border and Deccan Plateau that have desert shrubs and Deccan Plateau that have desert shrubs and grasses.grasses.

Bangladesh - lushBangladesh - lush

Nepal – highland forestNepal – highland forest

Pakistan - semiaridPakistan - semiarid

Bhutan – mountains Bhutan – mountains and forestand forest

India – coast,India – coast,mountains, plains,mountains, plains,and jungleand jungle

Human Environment Human Environment InteractionInteraction

The Ganges River is the earthly home of the The Ganges River is the earthly home of the Hindu goddess Ganga.Hindu goddess Ganga.

City of Varanasi, along its banks, is considered City of Varanasi, along its banks, is considered the holiest city to Hindus.the holiest city to Hindus.

350 million people live near the Bay of Bengal 350 million people live near the Bay of Bengal where the Ganges drains.where the Ganges drains.

Hindu life is not complete without bathing in Hindu life is not complete without bathing in the waters.the waters.

Belief that drinking the water purifies the soul Belief that drinking the water purifies the soul of sins and cures illness.of sins and cures illness.

Cremation after death is done along the banks Cremation after death is done along the banks of the Ganges, unless moksha is attained.of the Ganges, unless moksha is attained.

Hindu Goddess, GangaHindu Goddess, Ganga

Ganges provides water for drinking, farming, Ganges provides water for drinking, farming, transportation, and spirituality.transportation, and spirituality.

lined with temples.lined with temples.

After intense human use the Ganges is one of After intense human use the Ganges is one of the most polluted rivers in the world.the most polluted rivers in the world.

Sacred Ganges RiverSacred Ganges River

Millions of gallons of raw sewage and Millions of gallons of raw sewage and industrial waste flow in daily.industrial waste flow in daily.

Animal and human corpses are thrown in the Animal and human corpses are thrown in the river. river.

Poisoned with toxic chemicals and deadly Poisoned with toxic chemicals and deadly bacteria. bacteria.

People can become ill who drink or bathe there.People can become ill who drink or bathe there.

Polluted Ganges RiverPolluted Ganges River