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Unit 8 – Chapter 23The Physical Geography of South Asia

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I. Section I

The Land

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A. A Separate Land Subcontinent – a large

distinct landmass that is joined to a continent The seven countries in

this region are separated from the rest of Asia by mountains

Most of South Asia is a peninsula

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B. A Land of Great Variety The Himalayas

Theory – the force of the collision between the subcontinent & Asia formed these

Mt. Everest – highest peak in the world – located here – 29,035ft. – border of Nepal & China

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K2 (Godwin Austin) – 2nd highest peak – 28,250ft. – Pakistan

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A Land of Great Variety (cont.)

Other Northern Landforms Karakoram Mtns., Hindu Kush

In the past, invaders could only enter through the Khyber Pass

Ganges Plain (or Indo-Gangetic Plain) 1/10 of the world’s population lives

here!

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B. (cont)

Central Landforms Vindhya Range – also

“pushed-up” by the collision

Divides India into northern & southern regions

Southern Landforms Eastern & Western Ghats

– form a triangle Between them lies the

Deccan Plateau

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C. Major River Systems

Indus & Brahmaputra Rivers Indus flows mainly

through Pakistan Empties where?

Brahmaputra flows through the Himalayas and then into India & Bangladesh

Joins with the Ganges to form a delta

Where does the Brahmaputra empty?

Brahmaputra – ‘braided’ river

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Major River Systems (cont.)

Ganges River Most important river

of this region! Its waters are

considered to be sacred

Ganges Plain is considered the world’s largest alluvial plain – India’s most densely populated area!

Bathing in the Holy waters of the Ganges

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D. Natural Resources Water

Rivers Alluvial soil, drinking water, transportation,

hydroelectric power Dams

In Pakistan, the Tarbela Dam, one of the largest dams in the world, will soon be unusable! (Built up silt from the Indus)

Energy Resources Petroleum, natural gas, uranium

Minerals Leading exporter of iron ore Mica – layered rock used to make electric

equipment (90% of world) - India Sri Lanka – one of the world’s largest producers

of graphite Timber

Very important to this region! Economy & Soil

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II. Section II

Climate & Vegetation

Rampur, India

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A. South Asia’s Climates Tropical & Subtropical

Climates Tropical Rain Forest &

Tropical Savanna Highlands Climate

Northern edge of region Dry Climates

Great Indian Desert (Thar Desert)

Steppe

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B. Monsoons

• Monsoon Rains– Monsoons – Seasonal Winds– Rains needed for crops– Sometimes they cause floods

though!

• Natural Disasters– Drought, Floods, Cyclones