Physical Geography Of South Asia

South AsiaThe Physical Geography

Standard 8.2.1

• You should be able to identify the major political features of the region

• Demonstrate mastery by successfully labeling the following countries on a map:

Pakistan

Capital: Islamabad

India

Capital: New Delhi

Sri Lanka

Capital: Colombo

Nepal

Capital: Kathmandu

Bhutan

Capital: Thimphu

Bangladesh

Capital: Dhaka

Check for Understanding

• On the handout given to you by the teacher, label the countries in the map to follow under the section titled “Standard 8.2.1 Checking for Understanding”

2.

1.

3.

4. 5

6.

2. India

1. Sri Lanka

3. Bangladesh

4. Nepal 5. Bhutan

6. Pakistan

Standard 8.2.2

• You should be able to IDENTIFY and LOCATE the major physical features of the region– Mountains (Himalaya, Hindu Kush, Vindya

Range, Eastern and Westerh Ghats)

– Plains/Plateaus (Indo-Gangetic, Chota Nogpur, Deccan, Karnataka)

– Islands (Sri Lanka and Maldives)– Rivers (Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra)

Let’s Begin

• Use the section titled “The Land” in your handout to take notes

A Separate Land

• Subcontinent• Large, distinct

landmass • joined to a continent• Natural barriers• 1/2 the size of the

United States

Mountains: The Himalaya

• Plate tectonics• Subcontinent

collided with Asia - 60 million years ago

• 1000 miles across northern edge

• Mt. Everest - world’s highest peak

As seen from Space

Do you remember what a rain shadow is?

Mt. Everest

29,035 Feet

Karakoram Mountains

• Northernmost part of South Asia

• Connect with Himalayas

Hindu Kush

• Completes chain in the west

• Kept India isolated and protected

• Khyber Pass - only way in for many years

Vindhya Range

• Central India• Divides India into Northern and Southern

regions• Two distinct Indian cultures have emerged

Eastern and Western Ghats

• Triangle of rugged hills

• Eroded hills

Plains and Plateaus

• Deccan Plateau• Once covered in

Lava• Rich black soil• Semi-arid• Western Ghats

prevent rain from reaching it

Karnataka Plateau

• South of the Deccan• Receives more rain• Dense rain forest

Tha Ganges Plain

• Indo-Gangetic Plain• Holds 1/10th of

human population• Fertile plain• World’s largest

alluvial plain• Watered by

Ganges, Indus and Brahmaputra

Chota Nogpur Plateau

• Northeast India• High tableland• Forest

Sri Lanka

• Tear Drop shape• Broke away from

subcontinent

Maldives

• 116 Sq. miles of land area

• Cover 35,000 miles of ocean

• Southernmost nation of South Asia

Rivers - 3 Major Systems

• Indus River• Mostly in Pakistan• Empties into

Arabian Sea• Important

transportation route

• “Cradle of Ancient India”

The Brahmaputra River

• From Himalaya into India and Bangladesh

• Joins Ganges at the delta

• Empties into Bay of Bengal

• Ships can navigate as far as 800 miles

• Hydroelectricity - 50% of Bangladesh’s power

The Ganges River

• Most important• Summer monsoons

cause massive flooding

• Hindus consider its waters sacred

• Most densely populated plain

Foldable Summary

• Create a four door foldable (Like the one used for the Climate and Vegetation of Sub Saharan Africa)

• 1st, create a two door foldable • Next, divide each door into two doors• Label each door using the following:

Mountains, Islands, Rivers, and Plains/Plateaus