South Asia A Physical & Environmental Examination GCU 122 World Geography Eastern Hemisphere

Countries to be Examined India Pakistan Bangladesh Nepal Bhutan Sri Lanka Maldives

How will we examine the physical features of this region? Plate tectonics Plate tectonics Topography of the four sub-regions/map exercise Topography of the four sub-regions/map exercise Global location Global location Monsoons Monsoons Begin lecture 1 Begin lecture 1

1: Regional Plate Tectonics

2: Result of tectonic activity

3: Result of tectonic activity? Diversity

4: Four Sub-regions: Mountains of the North Nepal, Bhutan, India, and Pakistan are all home to this massive mountain range. Nepal, Bhutan, India, and Pakistan are all home to this massive mountain range. The combined Himalaya and Karakoram ranges are home to the tallest terrestrial/non-oceanic mountains in the world. There are over 24 peaks over 25,000 feet. The combined Himalaya and Karakoram ranges are home to the tallest terrestrial/non-oceanic mountains in the world. There are over 24 peaks over 25,000 feet. Mount Everest is 29,028 feet above sea level. Mount Everest is 29,028 feet above sea level. Massive annual snow accumulation results in the creation of some of the world’s most formidable and important river systems. Massive annual snow accumulation results in the creation of some of the world’s most formidable and important river systems. This sub-region is largely too rugged and inhospitable for major population hearths, apart from India’s Kashmir region and Nepal. But we will discuss that next class. This sub-region is largely too rugged and inhospitable for major population hearths, apart from India’s Kashmir region and Nepal. But we will discuss that next class.

5: Four Sub-regions: Alluvial River Lowlands The alluvial plains of both the western and eastern sides of the region are home to the Indus- Ganges-Brahmaputra River lowlands. The alluvial plains of both the western and eastern sides of the region are home to the Indus- Ganges-Brahmaputra River lowlands. The Indus River, as seen on the top left, has provided water to a largely baron landscape, thereby enabling sustained agriculture and civilization for many thousands of years. The Indus River, as seen on the top left, has provided water to a largely baron landscape, thereby enabling sustained agriculture and civilization for many thousands of years. The Ganges (or more accurately, the BGM River System) combined makes one of the world’s highest flow/output rivers. The Ganges (or more accurately, the BGM River System) combined makes one of the world’s highest flow/output rivers. This sub-region is replete with rich fertile soils and is where most of the region’s farming occurs. This sub-region is replete with rich fertile soils and is where most of the region’s farming occurs. Indus River Ganges River Brahmaputra

6: Four Sub-regions: Alluvial River Lowlands

7: Four Sub-regions: Alluvial River Lowlands

8: Four Sub-regions: Peninsular India RainRain shadow

9: Four Sub-regions: Peninsular India Kerala Tiruneveli Less than 75 miles apart!

Activity: Google Earth Locate the Indus River Delta, in Pakistan, and follow it up to it’s source location. Locate the Indus River Delta, in Pakistan, and follow it up to it’s source location. Locate the Ganges River and do the same. Locate the Ganges River and do the same. Locate the coast of Kerala and slowly fly east into the center if the Indian Peninsula. Look for topographic differences between the rainforest of the slopes of the Western Ghats and the semi-arid lands just 50+ miles to the east. Locate the coast of Kerala and slowly fly east into the center if the Indian Peninsula. Look for topographic differences between the rainforest of the slopes of the Western Ghats and the semi-arid lands just 50+ miles to the east. Locate the border region of India and Pakistan and identify the Thar Desert. Locate the border region of India and Pakistan and identify the Thar Desert. Last, locate the Deccan Plateau in the central peninsula region. Last, locate the Deccan Plateau in the central peninsula region.

10: Four Sub-regions: Southern Islands

11: Four Sub-regions: Southern Islands Sri Lanka is located with the tropics and has bountiful rain. Sri Lanka tea fields cover much of the island. Sri Lanka is located with the tropics and has bountiful rain. Sri Lanka tea fields cover much of the island. Though largely deforested, Sri Lanka still has tropical rainforests. Though largely deforested, Sri Lanka still has tropical rainforests. The center of the island is home to Pidurutalagala mountain, the highest in Sri Lanka, at over eight thousand feet. The center of the island is home to Pidurutalagala mountain, the highest in Sri Lanka, at over eight thousand feet. Rain Semi- tropical

12: Four Sub-regions: Southern Islands The Maldives holds the record for being the flattest country in the world, with a maximum natural ground level of only 2.3 m (7½ ft), though in areas where construction exists this has been increased to several meters. Over the last century, sea levels have risen about twenty centimeters (8 inches). The ocean is likely to continue rising and this threatens the existence of Maldives. The Maldives holds the record for being the flattest country in the world, with a maximum natural ground level of only 2.3 m (7½ ft), though in areas where construction exists this has been increased to several meters. Over the last century, sea levels have risen about twenty centimeters (8 inches). The ocean is likely to continue rising and this threatens the existence of Maldives. The Maldives are formed by a number of natural atolls plus a few islands and isolated reefs which form a pattern stretching from 7 degrees 10' North to 0 degrees 45' South. The Maldives are formed by a number of natural atolls plus a few islands and isolated reefs which form a pattern stretching from 7 degrees 10' North to 0 degrees 45' South.

13: Global Position of Region

14: Inter-tropical Convergence Zone Cancer Capricorn

15: Convergence Zone

16: Inter-tropical Convergence Zone Hadley Cell Trade winds Deserts

17: The Asian Monsoon!

18: The Asian Monsoon!

19: The Asian Monsoon!

End of South Asia Physical Geography Presentation Next? Next? Read Chapter 12 ( ) for next class Read Chapter 12 ( ) for next class We will discuss Human population and movement We will discuss Human population and movement