Chapter 25 Human Geography of South Asia A Region of Contrasts

1. Chapter 25Human Geography of South AsiaA Region of Contrasts Objective: Compare features of Human Geography in the Seven countries of South Asia

2. Chapter 25 Section 1India Vocabulary: Mughal Empire, Raj, Nonviolent Resistance, Land Reform, Green Revolution, & Caste System Objective: Define the nature of India’s government & identify some of its challenges

3. Invasions, Empires, & Independence • Indian culture is a blend of many different customs & traditions • Civilization began in the Indus Valley around 2500 B.C. • Aryans migrated into the area & played a key role in the development of Indian civilization • Persians & Greeks also occupied the Indus Valley • The Mauryan Empire united most of India • Muslims conquered the region establishing the Mughal Empire

4. Invasions, Empires, & Independence • The British East India Company came to India to obtain spices • Britain established direct rule over India (called the raj) • The British control lasted for 90 years • Mohandas Gandhi began a nonviolent resistance to gain independence • Pakistan & Bangladesh decided to break away from India due to religious differences

5. Governing the World’s Largest Democracy • India adopted a constitution & became a democratic republic in 1950 • However, like Britain they have a parliamentary government with the Prime Minister becoming the head of the government • Many different ethnic, cultural, & religious factors influence Indian politics • India is mostly Hindu but they have a Muslim minority • However, they do solve political conflicts peacefully

6. Economic Challenges • 2/3’s of India’s people rely on farming for their livelihood • Most farm families struggle to survive • Land Reform (distribution of land) is a proposed solution to the problem • India is now a major producer of iron & steel, chemicals, machinery, & food products • Other cities like Bangalore are becoming high-tech cities

7. Life in Modern India & Indian Culture • Most Indians follow the custom of arranged marriages (divorce is rare) • Indian families are large & very connected • Most Indians ear vegetarian diets & limit meat consumption because of religious practices • The government has placed a high priority on improving public education • Hindi is the official language but English is still widely used • 80% of the population practice Hinduism • They believe in reincarnation, karma, & are polytheistic • The caste system is used to place people in social classes

8. Chapter 25 Section 2Pakistan & Bangladesh Vocabulary: Indus Valley Civilization, Partition, Kashmir, Microcredit, Entrepreneur, & Ramadan Objective: Analyze the economies of the two countries

9. New Countries, Ancient Lands • The Indus Valley Civilization (modern-day Pakistan) began around 2500 B.C. • It had well-planned cities containing brick buildings & sophisticated sanitation • The region later was controlled by several different ethnic groups until the arrival of the British • Partition (division) of India came after the end of British rule in 1947 with Muslims creating West & East Pakistan • Ethnic differences caused East Pakistan to fight for independence creating Bangladesh

10. Struggling Economies • Most farmers in Pakistan & Bangladesh work small plots of land & struggle to survive • Pakistan is mostly arid which affect agriculture • Bangladesh is affected by seasonal monsoons & cyclones • Neither country is highly industrialized but are trying to improve their industries • They have developed microcredit to provide small loans to entrepreneurs to start their own businesses in hopes to improve their economy

11. One Religion, Many People • Islam has long played an important role in Pakistan & Bangladesh • They observe Islamic customs including daily prayer & Ramadan (month-long period of fasting from sunrise to sunset) • Pakistan is stricter in imposing Islamic law while Bangladesh is less strict • Pakistanis practice purdah (women can’t have contact with men who are not relatives) • Pakistan is also more ethnically diverse than Bangladesh

12. Modern Life & Culture • Like in India, Pakistan & Bangladesh have arrange marriages & large families • Most people live in simple homes but they do have major cities that are crowded • Poetry is a special interest in both Pakistan & Bangladesh • Poets are popular figures & mushairas (poetry readings) draw thousands of people • Music & dance are also important forms of expression in Bangladesh & Pakistan

13. Chapter 25 Section 3Nepal & Bhutan Vocabulary: Constitutional Monarchy, Sherpa, Siddhartha Gautama, & Mandala Objective: Compare the aspects of the economies of Nepal & Bhutan

14. Mountain Kingdoms • The main geographic feature of Nepal & Bhutan is their mountainous landscape • The rugged mountainous landscape of Nepal & Bhutan has isolated the two countries throughout their histories • Nepal & Bhutan remained independent & isolated • Both Nepal & Bhutan are constitutional monarchies (rulers power limited by a constitution)

15. Developing Economies • Nepal & Bhutan are poor countries with economies based mainly on agriculture • Most of the land is not suitable for cultivation • Farmers practice terraced farming to increase the amount of farmland & limit soil loss • The timber industry is very important to both countries • Most trade for both countries is with India • One of the fastest growing industries in Nepal is tourism • However, in Bhutan regulates the tourist industries

16. Rich Cultural Traditions • Various ethnic groups inhabit the Himalayan region • The Sherpas in Nepal are the high Himalayas are the traditional mountain guides of the Everest region • The main ethnic group in Bhutan is the Bhote, who trace their origins to Tibet • Buddhism has deep roots in Nepal since its founder Siddhartha Gautama was born there • Buddhism is the official religion in Bhutan • Folk art & festivals are an important feature of Himalayan culture

17. Chapter 25 Section 4Sri Lanka & the Maldives Vocabulary: Sinhalese, Tamils, & Sultan Objective: Summarize religious, ethnic, & cultural life there

18. History of the Islands • The Sinhalese migrated from India to Sri Lanka, adopting Buddhism & building a irrigation system • The Tamils then migrated to Sri Lanka, bringing a different culture • Britain took control of the Island until they gained independence • Tensions continue between the Sinhalese & Tamils in Sri Lanka • The Maldives were settled by Buddhist & Hindus until being converted to Islam by Arab traders • In 1968, the Maldives declared itself a republic

19. Life in the Islands • Sri Lanka is a diverse mix of ethnic & religious groups with Sinhalese Buddhists making up 75% of the population • 18% are Tamil Hindus & 7% are Muslims • Most people in Sri Lanka continue to live in smaller towns & villages • The population of the Maldives are Sinhalese who mixed with Arabs • Art & literature are strongly influenced by their religious traditions

20. Economic Activity in the Islands • Sri Lanka has an economy based on agriculture by producing rice, rubber, & coconuts • They are also a leading tea producing country • Maldives economy is based on fishing & tourism • Warfare in Sri Lanka made their tourist industry collapse