E. Napp Ancient India In this lesson, students will identify characteristics of India’s geography. Students will be able to define and/or identify the following terms: Himalaya Mountains Monsoons Indus River Ganges River

E. Napp India is a subcontinent in South Asia.

E. Napp The Indian Subcontinent India is a country in South Asia. India is a subcontinent. A subcontinent is a large land mass that is smaller than a continent. A subcontinent is usually split from the rest of the continent by a mountain range.

E. Napp The Himalaya Mountains separate India From China.

E. Napp The Himalayas The Himalayas are mountains in northern India. The Himalayas are the highest mountains on the surface of the earth. The Himalayas have not completely separated India from the rest of Asia because the mountains have passes.

E. Napp This is a photograph of the famous Khyber Pass. This valley allowed travelers to enter India.

E. Napp India also experiences the monsoon. The monsoons are winds that bring rains.

E. Napp Monsoons Monsoons are winds that bring rains. The Monsoons are vital for farming. Monsoon rains provide water for farming. If the monsoon rains do not arrive, many people will die from hunger and starvation.

E. Napp The Indus River is an important river in Indian history. It was the birthplace of South Asia’s earliest civilization.

E. Napp The Indus River The name “India” is derived from the Indus River. An early civilization developed along the banks of the Indus River. Today, the Indus River flows mostly through Pakistan. Pakistan was once part of India.

E. Napp The Ganges River is an important river in India. It is a sacred or holy river for Hindus.

E. Napp The Ganges River The Ganges river is an important river in India. It is considered a sacred or holy river to Hindus. Hinduism is a religion of India. Hindus believe that the waters from the Ganges will purify the souls of those who drink or bathe in the Ganges river.

E. Napp Even though India is a democracy today, geography still influences the lives of its people.

E. Napp Questions for Reflection: Describe the Himalaya mountains. Why did the Himalayas not completely prevent cultural diffusion? Why are the monsoons vital for Indians? Where did India’s first civilization develop? Why do Hindus travel to the Ganges river? List two geographic features of India and state an effect for each feature.