The Physical Geography of South Asia

Chapter 23, Section 1: The Land

Important Vocabulary Subcontinent: a large, distinct

landmass that is joined to a continent. Separated by mountains. Alluvial Plain: an area of fertile soil

deposited by a river’s floodwaters. Ex: Gangetic Plain.

Northern Landforms Theory: Indian

subcontinent was part of Africa. The Himalayas (29,028

feet) were created when the Indian subcontinent collided with Asia. The fertile plains

(Gangetic Plain) which are watered by the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra rivers.

Central and Southern Landforms

The collision also created the Vindhya and Satpura ranges.

Two eroded mountain chains: Eastern and Western Ghats.

Between these chains is the Deccan Plateau, which has a rich black soil (lava).

Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers

The Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers carry fertile soil from mountain slopes to their floodplains.

The Ganges flows east of the Himalayas.

Brahmaputra flows through the Himalayas, west into India, and south into Bangladesh.

Indus River The Indus River flows

mainly through Pakistan and into the Arabian Sea.

The Indus River Valley is known as the, “cradle of ancient India, which, with Mesopotamia and Egypt, was one of the world’s earliest civilizations.”

Natural Resources Water is vital for fertile soil,

hydroelectricity, and transportation.

Other natural resources: oil, natural gas, and uranium.

Mineral resources: iron ore, mica, manganese, chromite, gypsum, copper, and graphite.

Timbers include: sandalwood, sal, teak, silver fir, oak, magnolia, beech, and birch.

South Asia’s Physical Features

THE HIMALAYAS INDUS RIVER VALLEY

The Physical Geography of South Asia

Chapter 23, Section 2: Climate and Vegetation

Important Vocabulary Monsoon: seasonal winds, which can

bring heavy rains. Cyclone: a storm similar to a

hurricane, bringing high winds and heavy rains. Tsunami: huge waves caused by

underwater earthquakes.

Tropical Regions Much of South Asia has tropical

climates and diverse vegetation.

South Asia’s rain forests absorb large amounts of moisture. They contain ebony trees, lush vines, orchids, bamboo, mangos, and palms.

Tropical dry areas in the central Indian steppe with savannas and deciduous forests.

Mid-latitude and Highland Regions

Humid subtropical climate from Nepal to northeastern India.

The coldest region lies along South Asia’s northern edge.

The Himalaya highlands and the Karakoram peaks have snow year-round. Little vegetation can survive.

Lower elevations are milder and have hardwood trees, grasslands, and bamboo.

Dry Regions In northwestern India, there is

desert climate.

East of the Indus is the Thar Desert. Its vegetation consists of: desert shrub, grasses, and thorny trees.

Steppe climate around the Thar Desert with trees and some grasslands for grazing.

Average rainfall is less than 20 inches a year.

Monsoon Rains South Asia has 3 distinct

seasons: Hot (February to June), wet (June to September), and cool (September to February).

When monsoon winds carry the moist Indian Ocean air inland, it creates heavy rainfall and flooding.

People celebrate the rainfall since it provides a natural irrigation.

Natural Disasters A 2007 cyclone in India: winds

at 155mph and waves over 10 ft. Over $450 million in damages.

Tectonic plate activity in the Himalayas and the Indian Ocean cause earthquakes and tsunamis.

In 2005, Pakistan and Kashmir had a 7.6 magnitude earthquake, killing 70,000 people. A 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka killed 30,000 people.