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Introduction

Section 1:The Land

Section 2:Climate and Vegetation

Visual Summary

Chapter Intro 1

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.

Chapter Intro 2

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.

Chapter Intro 3

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.

Chapter Preview-End

Section 1-GTR

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.

Section 1-GTR

• subcontinent

The Land

• alluvial plain

Section 1-GTR

A. Himalaya

The Land

B. Khyber Pass

C. Gangetic Plain

D. Vindhya

E. Satpura Range

F. Deccan Plateau

G. Ganges River

H. Brahmaputra River

I. Indus River

A. A

B. B

C. C

D. D

Section 1

A B C D

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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

The Land

Section 1

South Asia’s landforms affect where people live and influence seasonal rain patterns.

Landforms

• Northern landforms:

– Himalaya Mountains

– Karakoram Mountains

– Hindu Kush range

– Khyber Pass

Section 1

– Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra rivers

Landforms (cont.)

– Gangetic Plain

– Chota Nagpur Plateau

Section 1

Landforms (cont.)

• Central and Southern landforms:

– Eastern and Western Ghats

– Deccan Plateau

– Sri Lanka

– Maldives

South Asia: Elevation Profile

A. A

B. B

C. C

D. D

Section 1

A B C D

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South Asia is separated from the rest of Asia by which of the following?

A. Rivers

B. Mountains

C. Dense forests

D. An ocean

Section 1

South Asia’s major river systems bring fertile soil to the floodplains, serve as transportation routes, and provide hydroelectricity.

Water Systems

• Three major river systems:

– Ganges—most important river in South Asia

– Brahmaputra

– Indus

A. A

B. B

C. C

Section 1

Which river is known as the “cradle of ancient India”?

A. Ganges

B. Brahmaputra

C. Indus

A B C

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Section 1

South Asia has a variety of natural resources upon which large populations are dependent for their livelihoods.

Natural Resources

• Rivers:

– Drinking water

– Alluvial soil

– Transportation

– Hydroelectric power

– Fish

Section 1

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

A. A

B. B

C. C

D. D

Section 1

A B C D

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Which country is the world’s largest producer of graphite?

A. Sri Lanka

B. Pakistan

C. Bangladesh

D. India

Section 1-End

Section 2-GTR

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.

Section 2-GTR

• monsoon

Climate and Vegetation

• tsunami

• period

• cyclone

• triggers

Section 2-GTR

A. Bay of Bengal

Climate and Vegetation

B. Sundarbans

C. Thar Desert

A. A

B. B

C. C

D. D

Section 2

A B C D

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Most of Asia experiences which type of climate?

A. Tropical

B. Highland

C. Midlatitude

D. Dry

Climate and Vegetation

Section 2

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.

Climate Regions

• Tropical regions:

– Tropical wet

– Tropical dry

South Asia: Vegetation

Section 2

Climate Regions (cont.)

• Midlatitude and highland regions:

– Mixed forest

– Deciduous forest

– Humid subtropical

– Himalayan highlands

• Dry regions:

– Desert—Thar Desert

– Steppe

A. A

B. B

Section 2

Does much of South Asia lie south or north of the Tropic of Cancer?

A. South

B. North

A B

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Section 2

Seasonal weather patterns bring much-needed rainfall to South Asia, but monsoon winds, as well as other natural disasters, can also bring devastating hardships.

Seasonal Weather Patterns

• Three distinct seasons:

– Hot

– Wet

– CoolComparing Climates

Section 2

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

Section 2

Seasonal Weather Patterns (cont.)

• Natural disasters:

– Flooding from monsoon rains

– Cyclones

– Earthquakes

– Tsunamis

A. A

B. B

C. C

D. D

Section 2

A B C D

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The monsoons are heaviest in which part of South Asia?

A. Eastern

B. Western

C. Northern

D. Southern

Section 2-End

VS 1

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)

VS 2

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

VS 3

C. Vindhya and Satpura Ranges

• Mountains in central India created by collision of tectonic plates

• Separate the distinct cultures of northern and southern India

VS 4

D. Indus River

• Flows mainly through Pakistan; empties into Arabian Sea

• Known as the cradle of ancient India

• Remains an important transportation route

VS 5

E. Deccan Plateau

• Plateau region in southern India; located between Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats

• Rich soil with wet and dry seasons

VS 6

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

VS 7

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

VS 8

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

VS-End

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

DFS Trans 1

DFS Trans 2

Vocab1

subcontinent

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

Vocab2

alluvial plain

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

Vocab3

monsoon

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

Vocab4

cyclone

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

Vocab5

tsunami

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

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