SOUTH ASIA’S POPULATION PATTERNS 1.3 Billion live here (1/5) world’s pop. 1.3 Billion live here (1/5) world’s pop. Speak hundreds of languages & practice several major religions Speak hundreds of languages & practice several major religions

INDIANS Descendents of: Descendents of: Dravidians who lived in area for 8,000 years Dravidians who lived in area for 8,000 years Aryans Aryans Indians will identify themselves by religions Indians will identify themselves by religions Examples: Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains and Christians Examples: Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains and Christians

Pakistan and Bangladesh Most people practice Islam Most people practice Islam Pakistani’s belong to one of five major ethnic grps. Pakistani’s belong to one of five major ethnic grps. Bangladesh are Bengali Bangladesh are Bengali

Sri Lanka’s Sinhalese Tamils Buddhist Sinhalese are the majority and form the gov’t Buddhist Sinhalese are the majority and form the gov’tVersus Hindu Tamils have been fighting for an independent state in N. Sri Lanka since the 1980s. Hindu Tamils have been fighting for an independent state in N. Sri Lanka since the 1980s. Fighting ended in 2009 Fighting ended in 2009 Conflict has resulted in 1000s of deaths & disrupted the economy Conflict has resulted in 1000s of deaths & disrupted the economy

Bhutan & Nepal Descendents from the Mongolians Descendents from the Mongolians Include Tibetan people and various ethnic groups Include Tibetan people and various ethnic groups Nepal once a federation of tiny kingdoms Nepal once a federation of tiny kingdoms Nepal’s Sherpas known for their mountaineering skills Nepal’s Sherpas known for their mountaineering skills

Population Density and Distribution South Asia’s Population Density 780 people per square mile Educational and Economic Assistance have Slowed growth rate South Asia will double its Population by 2050 Density is 7 times the world’s averagel

REGIONAL VARIATION Most People live in agricultural areas such as Ganges Plain or Along coasts Desert & Mountain Areas Are thinly populated MALDIVES is the world’s most Crowded country: 2,400 people per square mile

URBAN & RURAL LIFE RURAL LIFE: has changed little over 100s of years RURAL LIFE: has changed little over 100s of years People farm, live in villages, & struggle to grow enough crops to feed their families. People farm, live in villages, & struggle to grow enough crops to feed their families. South Asia is also home to nomadic grps. that herd camels, goats, or yaks for a living South Asia is also home to nomadic grps. that herd camels, goats, or yaks for a living

Growing Urbanization Many S. Asians have moved to cities, drawn by the hope of better jobs Many S. Asians have moved to cities, drawn by the hope of better jobs Overpopulation causes shortages in housing, health care, & educational facilities, also serious pollution Overpopulation causes shortages in housing, health care, & educational facilities, also serious pollution

South Asia’s Cities Cities are the world’s most densely populated urban areas Cities are the world’s most densely populated urban areas Important cities include: Important cities include: Mumbai (Bombay): port w/ pop. 19 million Mumbai (Bombay): port w/ pop. 19 million Calcutta: port city on Ganges River, center of India’s iron & steel industries, contrast of rich & poor Calcutta: port city on Ganges River, center of India’s iron & steel industries, contrast of rich & poor Dhaka: capital of Bangladesh, 2 nd world’s largest urban area Dhaka: capital of Bangladesh, 2 nd world’s largest urban area

Delhi: India’s 3 rd largest city, part of a megalopolis, dates back to 1600s, rural newcomers have become pavement dwellers—living in settlements in jhaggi bastis Delhi: India’s 3 rd largest city, part of a megalopolis, dates back to 1600s, rural newcomers have become pavement dwellers—living in settlements in jhaggi bastis Karachi: booming port city of Pakistan Karachi: booming port city of Pakistan

QUESTIONS WHAT MIGHT BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF SO MANY ETHNIC GROUPS LIVING IN AN OVERCROWDED REGION? WHAT MIGHT BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF SO MANY ETHNIC GROUPS LIVING IN AN OVERCROWDED REGION? WHAT ARE SOME SOLUTIONS TO THE REGION’S PROBLEMS OF OVERCROWDING WHAT ARE SOME SOLUTIONS TO THE REGION’S PROBLEMS OF OVERCROWDING GIVEN THE DISADVANTAGES OF LIVING IN AN OVERCROWDED URBAN AREAS, WHY DO PEOPLE CONTINUE TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY FOR THE CITY? GIVEN THE DISADVANTAGES OF LIVING IN AN OVERCROWDED URBAN AREAS, WHY DO PEOPLE CONTINUE TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY FOR THE CITY?