1. South Asia

2. Chapter 24: Physical Geography of South Asia: The Land Where Continents Collided
South Asia’s major landforms, including the massive Himalayan Mountains, were created when the subcontinent broke off from Africa and drifted into Asia.
Section 1: Landforms and Resources
Section 2: Climate and Vegetation
Section 3: Human-Environment Interaction
South Asia is a subcontinent of peninsulas bordered by mountains and oceans.
A wide variety of natural resources helps sustain life in the region.

3. Mountains and Plateaus
The Indian Subcontinent
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Maldives
Subcontinent—large landmass that’s smaller than a continent
called Indian Subcontinent because India dominates the region
Though half the size of U.S., area has 1/5 of world’s people
Natural barriers separate subcontinent from rest of Asia
mountains form northern border, Indian Ocean surrounds rest
Arabian Sea to west, Bay of Bengal to east

4. South Asia was once part of East Africa
Northern Mountains
South Asia was once part of East Africa
split off 50 million years ago and collided with Central Asia
collision of tectonic plates pushed land into huge mountain ranges
Himalaya Mountains—1,500 mile-long system of parallel ranges
include world’s tallest mountain—Mt. Everest
form barrier between Indian subcontinent and China
kingdoms of Nepal, Bhutan are also in these mountainsNorthern
Mountains
At west end, Hindu Kush mountains separate Pakistan, Afghanistan
historically blocked invasions from Central Asian tribes
Khyber Pass is one of the major land routes through the mountains
Karakoram Mountains are in northeastern part of Himalayas
include world’s second highest peak, K2

5. Tectonic plate collision also created smaller mountain ranges
Southern Plateaus
Tectonic plate collision also created smaller mountain ranges
Vindhya Rang in central India
Deccan Plateau covers much of southern India
Western, Eastern Ghats: mountain ranges flank Deccan Plateau
block moist winds and rain, making Deccan mostly arid

6. Rivers, Deltas, and Plains
Great Rivers
Northern Indian, or Indo-Gangetic, Plain:
lies between Deccan Plateau, northern mountain ranges
is formed by three river systems that originate in Himalayas
Indus River flows west, then south through Pakistan to Arabian Sea
Ganges River flows east across northern India
Brahmaputra winds east, then west, south through Bangladesh
Ganges and Bramaputra meet, form delta, flow into Bay of Bengal

7. Rivers irrigate farmlands, carry rich alluvial soil
Fertile Plains
Rivers irrigate farmlands, carry rich alluvial soil
overflow deposits this soil on alluvial plains—rich farmlands
Indo-Gangetic Plain has some of the world’s most fertile farms
Heavily populated area has 3/5 of India’s people
area’s big cities: New Delhi, Kolkata in India; Dakha in Bangladesh
Plain is drier to west between Indus, Ganges
The Thar, or Great Indian Desert, lies to the south

8. Offshore Islands Sri Lanka: The Subcontinent’s “Tear Drop”
Island in Indian Ocean, off India’s southeastern tip
Large, tear-shaped country with lush tropical land
Range of high, rugged, 8,000-foot mountains dominate center
Many small rivers flow from mountains down to lowlands
Northern side has low hills, rolling farmland
Island is circled by coastal plain, long palm-fringed beaches

9. The Maldives Archipelago
Maldives is archipelago—island group—of 1,200 small islands
stretch north to south for 500 miles off Indian coast, near equator
Islands are atolls—low-lying tops of submerged volcanoes
surrounded by coral reefs, shallow lagoons
Total land area of Maldives is 115 square miles
only 200 islands are inhabited

10. Natural Resources Water and Soil
Water and soil resources provide food through farming, fishing
River systems help enrich land with alluvial soil, water
large- and small-scale irrigation projects divert water to farmlands
Types of fish include mackerel, sardines, carp, catfish
Waters provide transportation, power
India, Pakistan work to harness hydroelectric power

11. Indian rain forests produce hardwoods like sal and teak
also bamboo and fragrant sandalwood
Bhutan’s and Nepal’s highland forests have pine, fir, softwoods
Deforestation is a severe problem
causes soil erosion, flooding, landslides, loss of wildlife habitats
overcutting has devastated forests in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka

12. Minerals
India is fourth in world in coal production, has petroleum, uranium
Pakistan, Bangladesh have natural gas resources
Iron ore from India’s Deccan Plateau used in steel industry, exported
Other minerals: manganese, gypsum, chromium, bauxite, copper
India has mica for electrical equipment and growing computer industry
India is known for diamonds; Sri Lanka for sapphires, rubies

13. Section 2: Climate and Vegetation
Climate conditions in South Asia range from frigid cold in the high mountains to intense heat in the deserts.
Seasonal winds affect both the climate and vegetation of South Asia.
Climate—Wet and Dry, Hot and Cold
Climate Zones
Cold highland zone in Himalayas, other northern mountains
Humid subtropical in foothills (Nepal, Bhutan), Indo-Gangetic Plain
Semiarid zone of west Plain, Deccan Plateau is warm with light rain
Desert zone covers lower Indus Valley, west India, south Pakistan
Thar Desert is driest area, with 10 inches of rain annually
Tropical wet zone in Sri Lanka and coasts of India, Bangladesh
Cherrapunji, India, holds rainfall record—366 inches in one month

14. Monsoons—seasonal winds that affect entire region
Monsoons and Cyclones
Monsoons—seasonal winds that affect entire region
dry winds blow from northeast October–February
moist ocean winds blow from southwest June–September
moist winds bring heavy rainfall, especially in southwest, Ganges Delta
unpredictable; cause hardship in lowlands of India, Bangladesh
Cyclone—violent storm with fierce winds, heavy rain
in Bangladesh low coastal region swamped by high waves

15. Vegetation: Desert to Rain Forest
Vegetation Zones
Forested tropical wet zone in India’s west coast, south Bangladesh
lush rain forests of teak, ebony, bamboo
Highland forests of pine, fir in north India, Nepal, Bhutan
Humid subtropical river valleys; foothills have sal, oak, chestnut
Less vegetation in semiarid areas; desert shrubs, grasses
Deccan Plateau, Thar Desert
Sri Lanka’s tropical wet and dry climate produces grasses, trees

16. Ganges is the best-known South Asian river
Section 3: Human-Environment Interaction Rivers play a central role in the lives of South Asians, but water pollution and flooding pose great challenges to South Asian countries.
Living Along the Ganges
Mother Ganges
Ganges is the best-known South Asian river
it’s shorter than the Indus, Brahmaputra
flows 1,500 miles from Himalayan glacier to Bay of Bengal
drains area three times France; home to 350 million people
Provides drinking and farming water, transportation
Known as Gangamai—“Mother Ganges”
becomes the Padma where it meets the Brahmaputra

17. Hinduism is the religion of most Indians
A Sacred River
Hinduism is the religion of most Indians
To Hindus, the Ganges River is the sacred home of the goddess Ganga
Hindus believe waters have healing powers; temples line its banks
pilgrims come to bathe, scatter ashes of dead
at sacred site of Varanasi they gather daily for prayer, purification
float baskets of flowers, burning candles on water

18. Centuries of use have made Ganges most polluted river in world
A Polluted River
Centuries of use have made Ganges most polluted river in world
sewage, industrial waste, human bodies poison the water
users get stomach and intestinal diseases, hepatitis, typhoid, cholera
In 1986, government plans sewage treatment plants, regulations
today few plants are operational, factories still dump waste
Clean up will take time, money, a change in how people see river

19. Controlling the Feni River
A River Overflows
Feni River flows from Chittagong Hills to Bay of Bengal
Wide, slow-moving river flows through low-lying coastal plain
flat, marshy area floods during wet season due to monsoon rains
Cyclones bring storm surges—high waters that swamp low areas
sea water surges up river into flatlands, flooding villages
In 1980s, Bangladesh builds earthen dam over river’s mile-wide mouth

20. Bangladesh uses large population’s unskilled workers to build dam
Using People Power
Bangladesh uses large population’s unskilled workers to build dam
Use cheap materials, low-tech process
lay bamboo mats, weight with boulders, cover with bags of clay
Build partial closure, then close Feni completely February 28, 1985
when tide goes out 15,000 workers fill gaps with 600,000 bags
seven hours later the dam is closed

21. Dump trucks, earthmovers raise clay dam to height of 30 feet
Completing the Dam
Dump trucks, earthmovers raise clay dam to height of 30 feet
put concrete, brick over sides, build road on top
South Asia’s largest estuary—arm of sea at river’s lower end—dam
Dam holds against cyclones and storm surges
villages and lands are protected

22. Chapter 25: Human Geography of South Asia: A Region of Contrasts
Both South Asia’s rich and ancient history, and its religious and ethnic diversity, have strongly shaped and defined its people’s lives.
Section 1: India
Section 2: Pakistan and Bangladesh
Section 3: Nepal and Bhutan
Section 4: Sri Lanka and the Maldives

23. Section 1: India
India is the largest country in South Asia and has the most developed economy.
Indian culture is deeply influenced by religion.

24. Invasions, Empires, and Independence
Early History
Indian civilization begins in Indus Valley in 2500 B.C.
Aryans from north of Iran invade in 1500 B.C.
establish kingdoms on Ganges Plain, push Dravidians south
Persians, Greeks later invade Indus Valley
Mauryan Empire unites India in 321 B.C.; Asoka spreads Buddhism
Gupta Empire later rules northern India
Muslim Mughal Empire rules much of India by early 1500s

25. In 1500s, French, Dutch, Portuguese build cloth, spice trades
Europeans Arrive
In 1500s, French, Dutch, Portuguese build cloth, spice trades
British East India Company controls Indian trade by 1757
British establish direct rule in 1857
Raj—90-year period of direct British control, opposed by most Indians
Mohandas Gandhi’s nonviolent resistance achieves goals peacefully
India gains its independence from Britain in 1947
Muslim Pakistan splits from Hindu India; violence, migrations result

26. Governing the World’s Largest Democracy
India After Independence
Constitution is created under first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru
a democratic republic since 1950
System has federation of states, strong central government, like U.S.
Parliamentary system, like U.K.
India is mostly Hindu, but with large Muslim, Sikh, Tamil minorities
Sikhs kill Gandhi’s daughter, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, 1984
Tamils assassinate her son, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, 1991

27. Economic Challenges Dependence on Farming
India has large economy, but half its people live in poverty
Two-thirds of people farm; most farms are small with low crop yields
Land reform—more balanced distribution of land among farmers
5 percent of farm families own 25 percent of farmland
land-reform proposals make little progress
After famines of 1960s, scientists improve farm techniques, crops
Green Revolution increases crop yields for wheat, rice

28. Cotton textiles have long been a major product
Growing Industry
Cotton textiles have long been a major product
iron, steel, chemical, food industries develop after 1940s
Main industrial regions include:
Kolkata (Calcutta), Ahmadabad, Chennai (Madras), Delhi
Mumbai (Bombay) is India’s most prosperous city
a commercial center which produces metals, chemicals, electronics
Bangalore is the high-tech center, home to software companies

29. Life in Modern India Education
Indian economy is changing; more people work in factories, offices
Education is key to change, most middle-class kids go to school
Literacy has risen steadily since the 1950s
In slums and rural areas, school attendance, literacy still low

30. Indian Culture Many Languages
Constitution recognizes 18 major languages
India has over 1,000 languages and dialects
Hindi is the official language, but English is widely used by government, business workers

31. 80% of Indians are Hindu; complex Aryan religion includes many gods
Hinduism
80% of Indians are Hindu; complex Aryan religion includes many gods
reincarnation—rebirth of the soul after death
Original Aryan caste system of social classes:
Brahmans—priests, scholars; Kshatriyas—rulers, warriors
Vaisyas—farmers, merchants; Sudras—artisans, laborers
Dalits (untouchables) are outside caste system—lowest status
Dharma is a caste’s moral duty; only reincarnation changes caste

32. Other Religions
India’s other faiths include Jainism, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism
Buddhism originated in northern India, but Islam is still strong in certain parts of India
Millions of Muslims left after 1947 independence

33. Section 2: Pakistan and Bangladesh
Pakistan and Bangladesh are Muslim countries formed as a result of the partition of British India.
Both Pakistan and Bangladesh have large populations and face great economic challenges.

34. New Countries, Ancient Lands
Early History
Indus Valley civilization—largest of early civilizations
arises around 2500 B.C. in what is now Pakistan
Civilization falls around 1500 B.C.; Aryans invade soon after
Mauryan, Gupta, Mughal empires all rule entire region
Area is then ruled by British Empire until 1947

35. 1947 partition creates Hindu India, Muslim Pakistan
Partition and War
1947 partition creates Hindu India, Muslim Pakistan
Hindu-Muslim violence killed one million people
10 million crossed borders: Hindus to India, Muslims to Pakistan
Ethnic differences led to civil war between West and East Pakistan
East Pakistan won independence in 1971, became Bangladesh

36. Struggling Economies Subsistence Farming
Rapidly growing populations, low per capita income in both countries
Small plots farmed with old methods struggle to feed families
Climate hurts yields: arid Pakistan, Bangladesh, stormy
Pakistan’s irrigated Indus Valley grows wheat, cotton, rice
Bangladesh’s deltas produce rice, jute (used for rope, carpets)
freshwater fishing is also vital to economy

37. Neither country is highly industrialized
Small Industry
Neither country is highly industrialized
small factories lack capital, resources, markets to expand
Both export cotton clothes; Pakistan exports wool, leather goods
Microcredit policy allows small loans to poor entrepreneurs
entrepreneurs—people who start and build businesses
small businesses join together to get microloans

38. One Religion, Many Peoples
Islamic Culture
Customs include daily prayer
Ramadan—month of fasting from sunrise to sunset
Pakistan’s stricter Islamic law includes purdah—women’s seclusion
women have no contact with men they are not related to, must wear veils in public
Bangladesh’s religious practices are less strict

39. Pakistan is more diverse: five main groups, each with own language
Ethnic Diversity
Pakistan is more diverse: five main groups, each with own language
Punjabis, Sindhis, Pathans, Muhajirs, Balochs
Punjabis are half the population, Muhajirs left India in 1947
national language is Muhajirs’ Urdu
Majority of people in Bangladesh are Bengali
Bengali language based on Sanskit, ancient Indo-Aryan language

40. Section 3: Nepal and Bhutan
Nepal and Bhutan are landlocked Himalayan kingdoms.
Rugged terrain and an isolated location have had a great impact on life in Nepal and Bhutan.

41. Mountain Kingdoms Geographic Isolation
Both countries are located in Himalayas; each has:
central upland of ridges, valleys leading to high mountains
small lowland area along Indian border
Mountain landscape isolates Nepal, Bhutan: hard to reach, conquer
China controlled Bhutan briefly in 18th century
Both remained mostly independent, rarely visited by foreigners

42. In past, both countries split into religious kingdoms, ruling states
Evolving Monarchies
In past, both countries split into religious kingdoms, ruling states
Unified kingdoms emerge, led by hereditary monarchs
Today both are constitutional monarchies
kingdoms where ruler’s power is limited by constitution
Bhutan’s king is supreme ruler, Nepal’s shares power with parliament

43. Developing Economies Limited Resources
Both countries are poor: agricultural economies, but little farmland
mountainous terrain, poor soil, erosion
terraced farms grow rice, corn, potatoes, wheat
livestock include cattle, sheep, yaks
Timber industry is important, but has led to deforestation

44. Developing Economies Increasing Tourism
Tourism is fastest-growing industry in Nepal
people visit capital at Kathmandu, climb Himalayas
hotels, restaurants, services grow but tourism also hurts Nepal’s environment; trash left on mountains
• Bhutan regulates, limits tourism, keeps some areas off-limits

45. Rich Cultural Traditions
A Mix of People
Nepal’s Indo-Nepalese, Hindu majority came from India centuries ago
speak Nepali, variation of Sanskrit
Nepal also has groups of Tibetan ancestry, including Sherpas
high-Himalayan people; traditional mountain guides of Everest area
Bhutan’s main ethnic group is the Bhote, who trace origins to Tibet

46. Siddhartha Gutama, the Buddha, born in 500s B.C.
Religious Customs
Siddhartha Gutama, the Buddha, born in 500s B.C.
Nepalese were Buddhist; today most are Hindu
Tibetan-style Buddhism is official religion of Bhutan
uses mandalas—symbolic geometric designs for meditation

47. Section 4: Sri Lanka and the Maldives
Sri Lanka and the Maldives are island countries with strong connections to the South Asian subcontinent.
Sri Lanka and the Maldives face difficult challenges that affect their political and economic development.

48. History of the Islands Settlement of Sri Lanka
In 500s B.C. Indians cross strait to Sri Lanka, become Sinhalese
In A.D. 300s, Tamils—Indian Dravidian Hindus—settle in north end
Portuguese, Dutch come in 1500s; British rule in 1796, call it Ceylon
island gains independence in 1948, becomes Sri Lanka in 1972

49. A Muslim State in the Maldives
Buddhists, Hindus from India, Sri Lanka settle islands in 500s B.C.
Arab traders visit often, population converts to Islam by 1100s
Governed by six dynasties of Muslim sultans—rulers
Declares itself a republic in 1968, headed by elected president
1,200 islands; a land area of 115 square miles; population 300,000
one of the world’s smallest independent country

50. Life in the Islands Cultural Life in Sri Lanka
Buddhist, Hindu temples, Muslim mosques dot landscape
art, literature strongly influenced by religions
Cultural Life in the Maldives
Culture is strongly influenced by Muslim customs
Islam is state religion—no others allowed

51. Economic Activity in the Islands
Economic Strengths
Sri Lanka has South Asia’s highest per capita income
agricultural economy: rice farms; tea, rubber, coconut exports
manufacturing is increasing
famous for gemstones like sapphires, rubies, topaz
Maldives has limited farming, food is imported
fishing for tuna, marlin, shark still provides 1/4 of jobs
main economy is now tourism centered on beaches, reefs

52. Tourism in Sri Lanka grew until civil war began in early 1980s
Tough Challenges
Tourism in Sri Lanka grew until civil war began in early 1980s
war has also damaged infrastructure, disrupted economic activities
Maldives must deal with global warming
if polar icecaps melt at all, islands could flood completely

53. Chapter 26: Today’s Issues: South Asia
South Asia faces the challenges of rapid population growth, destructive weather, and territorial disputes caused by religious and ethnic differences.
Section 1: Population Explosion
Section 2: Living with Extreme Weather
Case Study: Territorial Dispute

54. Section 1: Population Explosion
Explosive population growth in South Asia has contributed to social and economic ills in the region.
Education is key to controlling population growth and improving the quality of life in South Asia.

55. Growing Pains Rapid growth
In 2000, India’s population reached 1 billion
Rapid growth means many citizens lack life’s basic necessities
Population Grows
India’s population was 300 million in 1947; has since tripled
So large that even 2% growth rate produces population explosion
Unless rate slows, India will have 1.5 billion by 2045
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh among top 10 most populous countries
region has 22% of world’s population, lives on 3% of world’s land

56. Region has widespread poverty, illiteracy—inability to read or write
Inadequate Resources
Region has widespread poverty, illiteracy—inability to read or write
poor sanitation, health education lead to disease outbreaks
Every year, to keep pace, India would have to:
build 127,000 new schools and 2.5 million new homes
create 4 million new jobs and produce 6 million more tons of food

57. Managing Population Growth
Smaller Families
India spends nearly $1 billion a year encouraging smaller families
Programs have only limited success
Indian women marry before age 18, start having babies early
to poor, children are source of money (begging, working fields), and can later take care of elderly parents

58. Growth factors can be changed with education, but funds are limited
Education is a Key
Growth factors can be changed with education, but funds are limited
India spends under $6 per pupil a year on education while the U.S. spends $6,320 per pupil a year
Education could break cycle of poverty, raise living standards
improves females’ status with job opportunities
better health care education could lower infant mortality rates

59. Section 2: Living with Extreme Weather
South Asia experiences a yearly cycle of floods, often followed by drought.
The extreme weather in South Asia leads to serious physical, economic, and political consequences.

60. The Monsoon Seasons Summer and Winter Wind Systems
Annual cycle of extreme weather makes life difficult
Monsoon is wind system, not a rainstorm; two monsoon seasons
Summer monsoon—blows moist from southwest, across Indian Ocean
blows June through September, causes rainstorms, flooding
Winter monsoon—blows cool from northeast, across Himalayas, to sea
blows October through February, can cause drought

61. Impact of the Monsoons Physical Impact
Summer monsoons nourish rainforests, irrigate crops
floodwaters bring rich sediment to soil, but can also damage crops
Cyclones are common with summer monsoons
Winter monsoon droughts turn lush lands into arid wastelands

62. Floods, droughts make agriculture difficult
Economic Impact
Floods, droughts make agriculture difficult
countries buy what they can’t grow; famine looms
Weather catastrophes also destroy homes, families
people often too poor to rebuild, governments lack funds to help
People build: houses on stilts, concrete cyclone shelters, dams

63. Case Study
Territorial Dispute: How Can India and Pakistan Resolve Their Dispute Over Kashmir?
Kashmir territory is a territory of 12 million people surrounded by Pakistan, China, India
India and Pakistan have fought three wars over Kashmir since 1947
Danger increases now that both countries have nuclear weapons

64. A Controversy Over Territory
Partitioning
British left India in 1947 and partitioned—divided—the subcontinent
created two independent countries
India is predominantly Hindu, Pakistan is mostly Muslim
Britain lets each Indian state choose which country to join
Muslim states join Pakistan, Hindu states remain in India

65. Kashmir’s problem: population is Muslim, but its leader was Hindu
Politics and Religion
Kashmir’s problem: population is Muslim, but its leader was Hindu
Maharajah of Kashmir wants an independent nation
but is forced to cede territory to India in 1947
Pakistan invades; a year later India still controls much of Kashmir
India, Pakistan fight two more wars over Kashmir in 1965, 1971
dispute remains unresolved; each country still controls part
China has had a small portion since 1962

66. A Question of Economics Indus River flows through Kashmir
many of its tributaries originate in the territory
Indus is critical source of drinking, irrigation water in Pakistan
Pakistan doesn’t want India to control that resource
Kashmir is a strategic prize neither side will give up

67. Bibliography
Mcdougal Littell, World Geography. Houghton Mifflin Company. 2012