South Asia – Physical Chapter 16 – Section 1

Why it matters South Asia is a land of contrasts, with snowcapped mountains towering over parched deserts. More than one-sixth of the world’s people live in this region.

Questions you should be able to answer when we’re done: What physical features make South Asia unique? How does climate affect people’s lives in South Asia? Which natural resources are most important to South Asia?

Vocab: Subcontinent Alluvial plain Delta Atoll Monsoon cyclone

South Asia - Political Afghanistan Pakistan India Nepal Bhutan Bangladesh

Islands Sri Lanka (Teardrop of India) Maldives (Many Atolls)

From Text: Bhutan

Physical Features Hindu Kush Karakoram Himalaya Deccan Plateau Everest Barricade to Trade Tectonically Active Barrier to Trade (Khyber Pass)

Natural Hazards Drought Hurricanes Earthquakes Tsunamis Flooding

Rivers Indus Ganges Brahmaputra Cross large plains where their annual flooding has deposited rich soil (Alluvial Plain) Brahmaputra and Ganges join together to make the world’s largest Delta

Climate is related to physical features! Varied features – varied climates! Monsoon – Seasonal Winds

Monsoon 8 months of little or no rainfall Temperatures warm and cause wind shift Winds from the Indian Ocean bring heavy rain and flooding

Monsoon Good Rain to grow crops Bad Flooding cyclones

Climate Monsoons Thar Desert Seasonal Winds Rain Shadow

Ecosystems From deserts in Pakistan to lush rain forest in India’s west to glacier covered mountains.

Tropical and Dry Areas Three seasons – Hot, Wet and Cool (result of the Monsoon wind patterns) Some areas are dry as patterns are blocked by physical features.

Highland and Temperate Climates Mountain tops are snow covered year round Some areas are temperate because the mountains block the cold air coming down from Central Asia

Resources Bollywood Agriculture Call Centers Manufacturing Natural Resources

Water Resources Irrigation Drinking Transportation Sacred in Hindu religion Hydropower…..

Building Dams Good More power irrigation Bad people displaced and ecosystems lost when dams are built and areas are flooded.

Natural Resources Many – but not evenly distributed

Mineral and Energy Resources India – iron ore, manganese, chromite, mica, uranium Nepal – Mica, copper Sri Lanka – gemstones, graphite There’s also SOME petroleum

Forests and Wildlife Valuable: woods, oxygen, soil conservation, animal habitat The Debate – use the forests, or conserve them

Valuable Woods Teak – strong for high quality furniture Sal – construction Sandalwood – sweet scent

Endangered Animals Asian Elephant, Tiger, one-horned Rhino.

Question 1 What part of South Asia is one of the world’s most fertile farming regions? A.Deccan Plateau B.Hindu Kush C.Brahmaputra/Ganges Delta D.Khyber Pass

Question 2 What is the main reason that the climate in South Asia is so diverse? A.Most lands are inland with no seacoasts B.The mountains in the north keep some lands wet ant some lands dry C.Cold winds come in from Central Asia; warm winds from the Indian Ocean D.Physical features vary greatly across the region

Question 3 Which of the following features is typical of a tropical wet/dry climate? A.Hot, dry days and cold, wet nights B.Three seasons – hot, wet and cool C.Hot wet days and cool dry ights D.Two seasons – hot and hotter

Question 4 What is the main reason that some South Asians oppose projects like the Narmada River Dam? A.Flooding will displace people and destroy ecosystems B.Boating and shipping will be greatly restricted C.Those living below the dame will be in harm’s way should the dam break D.Building the dam will cost too much

Question 5 Which South Asian wood is especially valued for its sweet scent? A.Mahogany B.Sal C.Sandalwood D.Teak

Question 6 Why was the Khyber Pass so important so important for south Asia for centuries?

Question 7 Why is a delta often used as an agricultural area?

Question 8 What might happen in South Asia if there were no monsoons?

Question 9 What positive and negative effects do the monsoons have on the lives of people in South Asia?

Question 10 What might be the consequences of cutting down a forest in South Asia?

Vocab: Subcontinent Alluvial plain Delta Atoll Monsoon cyclone

Questions you should be able to answer when we’re done: What physical features make South Asia unique? How does climate affect people’s lives in South Asia? Which natural resources are most important to South Asia?

The End No – I can’t explain this!