1. South Asia
Chapters 24-26

3. 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.

4. 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.

6. 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

8. 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

9. 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

12. 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

13. 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

15. 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

16. 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

18. Vegetation Zones Tropical Wet zone Highland 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

19. 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

20. 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

23. 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)

24. 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.

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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)

31. 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

32. 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

34. 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

35. 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

37. 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

38. 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