South Asia
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, & Maldives make up the South Asia subcontinent. A subcontinent is a large landmass that is part of another continent but distinct from it.
India
India
Capital - New Delhi
1.The Himalayas & the Karakoram form India’s northern border and separate South Asia from the rest of Asia.
HimalayasKarakoram
2.The Himalayas is the world’s tallest range & Mt. Everest is the world’s tallest mountain. World’s second- highest peak is K2 and is located in the Karakoram.
Mt. Everest K2
3.Civilization here developed in Indus River Valley.
Indus River
4.World’s worst food disaster known as the Bengal Famine happened here in 1943 when the United Kingdom ruled India. About 4 million people died of starvation in that one year.
5.Mohandas Gandhi led a nonviolent movement to free India from Britain’s rule. India won independence in 1947.
Mohandas Gandhi
6.Following independence, India’s leaders focused on improving farm production. The green revolution was the effort to use modern technology and science to increase food production. As a result, India now raises most of the food that it needs.
7.India is the world’s second-largest rice producer.
Rice in India (Planting)
Rice in India (Growing)
Rice in India (Harvesting)
8.There are huge factories in India’s urban areas. Many Indian products are manufactured in cottage industries. Cottage industries are home- or village-based industries in which family members, including children, supply their own equipment to make goods like cotton cloth, silk, cloth, rugs, leather products, and metalware.
Factories Cottage Industries
9.India is the world’s largest democracy led by a prime minister. India has 18 official languages.
Democracy
10.Indira Gandhi was India’s female prime minister from 1966 to She helped the poor and extended voting rights.
Indira Gandhi
11.Hinduism is the religion practiced by most people of India (80%). It organizes society into groups called castes based on a person’s ancestry. Diwali (Festival of Lights) is popular holiday.
Hinduism
12.Rangoli – folk art used for special celebrations. Designs are drawn onto the ground, usually in chalk or colored powder & embellished with sand, rice, candles, or flower petals. The designs are allowed to blow away with the wind.
Rangoli
13.Sikhs practice religion Sikhism and are found mostly in northern India. Sikhism combines beliefs from Hinduism and Islam. The belief is in one God. Believe in reincarnation, but do not have castes. Men do not cut their hair and often wear turbans over their hair. The Sikhs would like to form their own independent state. Vaisakhi celebrates Sikh New Year on April 14
Sikhism
Pakistan
Pakistan
Capital - Islamabad
1.The Hindu Kush and Karakoram are in northern and western Pakistan. The Khyber Pass is located in the Hindu Kush.
Hindu Kush Karakoram
Khyber Pass
2.Kashmir is a mostly Muslim territory on the border between Pakistan & India. Both countries want to control the region for its water resources. Dispute over Kashmir has sparked 3 wars between Pakistan & India.
Kashmir
Kashmir
Kashmir
3.There have been many changes in government. Benazir Bhutto was elected the first female prime minister of an Islamic nation in She was assassinated in 2007.
Benazir Bhutto
Nepal
Nepal
Capital - Kathmandu
1.Home to 8 of the 10 highest mountains in the world. Mount Everest is here. These mountains have created a growing tourist industry.
Mount Everest Tourism
2.The Sherpa are the people known for their skill in guiding mountain climbers.
Sherpa (Village)
3.Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, was born here. He became known as the Buddha or “Enlightened One”.
Buddhism
Buddhism
Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Capital - Dhaka
1.Lush, low plains cover most of the country. Most people earn their living by farming with few modern tools. They are unable to grow enough food to feed their people. Disastrous floods from cyclones (tropical storms) and monsoons (seasonal winds that bring heavy rains) can drown the crops and cause food shortages.
Farming