South Asia Physical Geography

Mountains Mountains are important in Asia because they influence: Population patterns Movement of people and goods Climate

Mountains The most important mountain range in Asia is the Himalaya Mountains. The Himalayas separate India from China. .

Mountains Some other mountains in Asia are: The Hindu-Kush The Eastern and Western Ghats in India

Rivers and Bodies of Water Many rivers in Asia start in the Himalaya Mountains. Rivers erode away the mountains and carry sediment (little bits of dirt) down to the flat plains at the base of the mountains. The sediment makes the soil by the rivers fertile and a good place to farm.

Rivers and Bodies of Water The most important rivers in South Asia are: The Indus The Ganges The Brahmaputra

Rivers and Bodies of Water The Ganges and Brahmaputra start in the Himalayas and flow into the Bay of Bengal. Both rivers flow through Bangladesh and as a result, this country often floods during the monsoon season.

The Ganges The Ganges deposits sediment on a flat area called the Indo-Gangetic Plain. This river is important to India because it: Provides water for agriculture Provides water for factories and industries Provides water for human use Is considered sacred by Hindus

The Ganges Hindus build temples on the banks of the Ganges River. One city, Varanasi, is considered sacred by Hindus and the focal point of pilgrimages. Hindus often pray in the water and when they die many are cremated and the ashes cast into the river.

Varanasi on the Ganges River

The Ganges The Ganges River has become one of the most polluted rivers in the world due to: A. Pesticides and fertilizers that spill into the river. B. Chemicals and metals from factories. Raw sewage D. Human use

Maldives The Maldives are located off of the southwest coast of India in the Indian Ocean. There are over 1200 small islands in the archipelago. The islands are atolls, the tops of submerged volcanoes surrounded by coral reefs.

Natural Hazards The natural hazards that are found in Asia are: Monsoons Typhoons (Cyclones) Volcanoes and Earthquakes

Monsoon A monsoon is a seasonal wind that occurs in South and Southeast Asia. During the summer monsoon wind blows from south to north. The wind pushes clouds over South and Southeast Asia causing rain.

Climate and Vegetation Asia has varied climate regions because: Zones of latitude - Part of Asia is in the low latitudes and part of it is in the middle latitudes. Elevation - Mountainous regions in Asia have colder climates. Topography - Mountains block rainfall causing deserts on one side.