South Asia

Chapters 24-26

Overview

• Himalayas are part of South Asia• Area includes seven countries: India, Pakistan,

Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives

• Area is referred to as a subcontinent: a large landmass that is smaller than a continent.

• ½ the size of the US but has more than 1 billion inhabitants-1/5 the world’s population.

Mountains

• Northern Mountains– The Himalayas were born from continents

breaking apart and then colliding• World’s highest mountains

– Mount Everest, world’s tallest peak, sits in the middle of the range.

– The Hindu Kush• Lie west of the Himalayas• Hosted fighting for centuries between tribes trying to

conquer India and Central Asian tribes.

Plateaus

• Southern Plateaus– The tectonic collisions also created many smaller

mountain ranges.– The Deccan plateau covers much of southern India

and is surrounded by mountains• The result is an arid climate

Rivers, Deltas, and Plains

• Three rivers of note: the Indus, the Ganges, and the Brahmaputra– All three empty in the Bay of Bengal

• Fertile Plains– Support life around Southern Asia, crucial for

irrigation– Carry rich soil called alluvial soil, from the mountains

to farmland– The plains are also the most heavily populated region

of South Asia

Offshore Islands

• Two island groups located in the Indian Ocean– Sri Lanka and the Maldives

• Sri Lanka– Large tear-shaped island– Lush, tropical land, very beautiful, small rivers and rugged

mountains• The Maldives– Archipelago- island group– Most islands are tops of submerged volcanoes surrounded

by coral and shallow lagoons.• Also known as an atoll

Natural Resources

• Abundant resources are stretched out due to extremely high population

• Water and Soil– Rivers that come from the mountains and bring

alluvial soil also bring irrigation– Good fishing and farming lands– Water provides transportation and hydroelectric

power to countries

Forests

• Many types of hardwood grow here– Sal, teak, bamboo, and sandalwood

• Deforestation is a severe problem– Causes soil erosion, flooding, landslides, and loss of wildlife – Forests are in bad shape in India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka

• Minerals– India is one of the world’s leading producer of iron ore– India supplies the most mica in the world

• Used in electrical equipment

– Sri Lanka produces rubies and sapphires

Climate

• South Asia has six climate zones– Semiarid- high temperatures and light rain • Includes the Thar Desert

– Tropical wet zone• High temperatures and heavy rainfall

– Holds world record for rainfall

– Highland zone• Coldest climate, includes Himalayas

– Humid Subtropical zone• Very warm

Monsoons and Cyclones

• Whole area is affected by monsoons-seasonal winds– Happens from June-September

• Winds bring in moist ocean air and heavy rain

– This rain is crucial to plant life but can cause flooding and landslides.

• Cyclones- violent storms with fierce and heavy rain– Most destructive in Bangladesh, a low-lying coastal

region– High waves can swamp large parts of the country

Vegetation Zones

• Tropical Wet zone– Contain the most forests, including rain forests

• Highland zone– Contains forests of pine, fir, and evergreens

• Humid subtropical zone– Contains forests of palms and other hardwoods

• Semiarid zone– Sparse vegetation

Life Along the Ganges

• The Ganges’ source is a glacier in the Himalayas.• It delivers water to 350 million people– Provides drinking water, farm irrigation, and

transportation• Viewed as sacred to the Hindu faith– Known as “Mother Ganges”– Brings life to its people– Worship the river as a goddess– Viewed to have healing powers

Life Along the Ganges

• Most sacred city along the Ganges is Varanasi– Pilgrims come from all over the world to bathe and drink the

water– They float baskets of flowers and burning candles down the

river • The river is very polluted– After centuries of intense human use, its in trouble– Millions of gallons of raw sewage and industrial waste flow

with dead animals and even dead human bodies– As a result, deadly toxins and bacteria live in the river

• Progress to clean the river has been slow

India

• Started in the Indus Valley– Started by the Aryans- a light skinned race– Europeans arrived in the 1500s looking to trade– Britain took over control, called the raj, for 90

years• Gandhi started peaceful resistance and it worked• Britain gave India their freedom• Pakistan and Bangladesh soon broke off from India• Violence between Hindu (India) and Muslims (Pakistan)

India

• India is the world’s largest democracy• They adopted a constitution in 1950• Their government reflects both American and

British governing systems.– Federation of states like the US– Parliamentary legislature like Britain

• Many different ethnicities, cultures, and lots of people has caused some problems but India is a fairly steady and peaceful democracy.

Life in India

• Family life is the center of Indian culture.– Most families follow arranged marriage ideals– Popular in more rural areas

• Indian cuisine is largely vegetarian, but some eat fish and chicken– Hindus and Muslims do not eat beef or pork

• Education is vital to the Indian economy and industry. – Literacy rates are high in most urban areas, except the

slums

Indian Culture

• The Indian constitution recognizes 18 different languages– Hindi is the official language, English is commonly

spoken in government and business• Hinduism– Roots began in the Aryan culture– Belief in many gods– Reincarnation- the rebirth of the soul after death– Karma- moral consequences of a person’s actions

• Helps determine reincarnation

Indian Culture

• The Caste system– Aryan system of separating social class– Still in use by Hindus today– Four basic castes:• Brahmans: priests and scholars• Kshatriyas: rulers and warriors• Vaisyas: farmers and merchants• Sudras: Artisans and laborers• Untouchables: Lowest of the low

– Officially disbanded by the constitution

Indian Culture

• Hindus believe you are born into a caste and you have a certain moral duty to uphold– Known as dharma– You can only move in between caste systems

through reincarnation• Brought social order to its people but also

caused segregation and discrimination

Pakistan and Bangladesh

• Both countries are considered young but with ancient histories.

• First civilizations came from Pakistan region– History similar to India

• Establish a civilization, Europe comes over to trade, Britain takes over, gain independence

• The war for independence caused a partition, or division of India.– West Pakistan (now Pakistan), India, and East Pakistan (now

Bangladesh)– The Pakistans shared religious ideals (Islam)

Struggling Economies• Pakistan and Bangladesh have rapid growing populations but their

economies rely heavily on agriculture• Subsistence Farming- growing enough crops to feed only their

families– Governments are trying to modernize farming methods – Climate plays role in low crop yields

• Neither country is highly industrious– Lack money to build business up

• Microcredit loans– Small loans given to people starting their own businesses. Many

entrepreneurs can be on one loan– Allows for smaller repayment plans– Growing business

Islamic Culture

• Both are Islamic nations but they differ– Pakistan follows stricter laws, including purdah-

the seclusion of women• Pakistan also has six different ethnic groups

that all speak their own languages– Urdu is their official language (chosen in order to

not favorite any one tribe)• Bangladesh has one major ethnicity-Bengal– Their language comes form ancient Sanskrit

Nepal and Bhutan

• Both are located in the Himalayas– Both are isolated due to their mountainous locations– Landlocked countries with no sea port

• Both governments are constitutional monarchies-kingdoms in which the ruler’s powers are limited by a constitution.

• Both governments are transitioning to democratic republics

• Both countries are limited in resources – Use terrace farming on small plots

Nepal and Bhutan

• Tourism is rapidly increasing– People want to climb the Himalayas– Tourism may be hurting the environment • People leave their trash on the mountains• Sherpas are the ethnic group that guides people up the

mountains

• Religion is a powerful force in this region.– Nepalese people are Hindu but Buddha was born

in Nepal

South Asian Issues

• Population Explosion– By 2045, India will have 1.5 billion people living in an

area 1/3 the size of the US– Can they provide enough food, shelter, clothing?– As populations in these countries rise, government

officials are having trouble providing services for all it people• Think of school alone!

– How do you manage this issue?• Smaller families• Education

South Asian Issues

• Weather-– Summer and Winter monsoons control climate and

planting schedules• Plant during end of wet season, harvest during cool

season, stay inside during hot season

– Monsoons are vital to the rainforests, crops, and soil– Cyclones cause tremendous devastation

• Known as hurricanes in US• If they are too strong, they will knock out crops, flood

lands, and kill people