south asia: physical geography
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South Asia: Physical Geography. A Separate Land. The seven countries that make up South Asia are separated from the rest of Asia by mountains, making South Asia a Subcontinent Subcontinent – a large, distinct landmass that is joined to a continent - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
SOUTH ASIA: PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
A SEPARATE LAND
The seven countries that make up South Asia are separated from the rest of Asia by mountains, making South Asia a Subcontinent Subcontinent – a large, distinct landmass that is
joined to a continent Most of the region forms a peninsula of about
1.7 million square miles, being touched by three bodies of water: The Indian Ocean The Arabian Sea The Bay of Bengal
A LAND OF GREAT VARIETY: MOUNTAINS The Himalaya
Formed after the subcontinent broke away from the same large landmass that contained Africa and smashed into the southern edge of Asia.
Extends more than 1,000 miles across the northern edge of the peninsula, and hundreds of mile wide.
Contains Mt. Everest The world highest peak – rises 29,035 feet above sea level.
The Himalaya meet the Karakoram Mountains in the northernmost part of the region The Hindu Kush range completes the chain
Over the centuries, the mountains have served as protection from foreign invaders, forcing them through a small number of narrow crossing places (Khyber Pass)
HIMALAYAN MOUNTAINS
http://www.sciencechannel.com/tv-shows/wonders-with-brian-cox/videos/wonders-of-the-universe-himalayan-mountains.htm
A LAND OF GREAT VARIETY
Central Landforms The same collision that created the Himalaya
also created the Vindhya (ˈvin-dyə, -dē-ə) Range in India This range divides India into its northern and southern
regions These Regions each have their own distinct cuisine,
architecture, and religious practices
Southern Land Forms Eastern & Western Ghats (gawts, gots)
Eroded mountains in southern India Between them lies the Deccan Plateau
The Western Ghats prevents yearly rainy winds from reaching the plateau
Instead the Karnataka Plateau receives the rain.
MAJOR RIVER SYSTEMS
Indus River Flows mainly through Pakistan, and empties in
the Arabian Sea Serves as an important transportation route Known as the “cradle” of ancient India
Brahmaputra (brah-muh-poo-truh) River Flows east through the Himalaya, then west into
India and Bangladesh There it joins the Ganges – to form a delta before
emptying into the Bay of Bengal Serves as an important inland transportation
route Provides Bangladesh with 50% of its power
through hydroelectricity
MAJOR RIVER SYSTEMS
Ganges River Flows east from the Himalaya Most important river in South Asia The land area through which the river flows is
called the Ganges Plain Almost all of this land is used for crops (rice, sesame,
sugarcane, jute, and beans) World longest alluvial plain – an area of fertile
soil deposited by river flood waters Also is India’s most densely populated area
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS: GANGES RIVER
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/specials/in-the-field-specials/cousteau-ganges-kampur-threats/
End 3:40
NATURAL RESOURCES
Energy Resources Petroleum
Reserves near Ganges Delta, and northern Pakistan Overall South Asia is dependent on imported oil
Natural Gas Fields Southern Pakistan Ganges Delta Region Bangladesh
Uranium India – north of the Eastern Ghats
Hydroelectricity
MINERALS
India Leading exporter of iron ore Supplies 90% of world’s mica – a layered rock
used in making electrical equipment Nepal
Mica Small amounts of copper
Sri Lanka One of world’s largest graphite producers Sapphires, Rubies, and other precious stones
TIMBER
Timber is an important part of South Asia’s economy
Forests of Nepal and Bhutan (bü-ˈtän, -ˈtan) Silver fir, oak, magnolia, beech, and birch
India Sandalwood, sal, and teaks woods