The Cultural Geography of South Asia

Mr. MarstonDominion Christian High

SchoolGeography 2009

Human Characteristics• 1/5 of earth’s population lives in

South Asia (1.4 Billion people)• Diverse: Religious, Cultural, Social,

linguistic

India’s Population• A. Descendants of Dravidians• B. Aryans: invaders from Central Asia• C. Descendants of British and

Portuguese colonists• D. Refugees from Tibet and Sri Lanka

India’s Religions• HinduismJati: a group that defines one’s

occupation and social position• Islam• Buddhism• Sikhs• Jainism• Christianity

Pakistan and Bangladesh• Islamic heritage• 90% are practicing Muslims• Culturally diverse in Pakistan• Culturally monolithic in Bangladesh

(Bengali)

Sri Lanka• Sinhalese: Buddhist majority and

control the government• Tamils: Hindus.

• Over 100,000 Sri Lankans have died since 1984 and one million people displaced from their homes

• SriLankan civil war

Bhutan and Nepal• Ancestors from Mongolia• Bhutan: Bhote and Tibetan ancestry• Nepal: famous ethnic group is the

Sherpas.

• bhutan and Nepal

Population Density and Distribution

• 814 per sq. mile: 7 times the world’s average

• South Asia will double its current population by 2050.

Regional Variation• Climate, vegetation, and physical

features have an impact on the number of people the land can support

• Population decreases as the elevation increases.

• Most people live in the Ganges Plain and along the Indian coast

Living • People live where their food supply

can be grown (Rice)• Live near jobs: tea and rubber

plantations

Bangladesh• Second most densely populated

country in South Asia• Has difficulty feeding its population• Very poor

Urban and Rural Life• Most South Asians live in the country• They farm, live in villages, and are

subsistence farmers• South Asia is home to nomadic or

semi-nomadic groups.

Growing Urbanization• Over time, more people have moved

to cities in hopes of better jobs and higher wages.

• People strain the public resources and facilities (schools and hospitals)

• Problems: Housing, Overcrowding, Pollution

South Asia’s cities• Mumbai (Bombay) 18.1 million people• Kolkata (Calcutta): center of India’s iron

and steel industries• Delhi:• Dhaka, Bangladesh: world’s second

most densely populated urban area.• Karachi, Pakistan• Megapolis: chain of closely linked

metropolitan areas.