India is a peninsula in South Asia.

1. India is a peninsula in South Asia. E. Napp

2. 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 a continent by a mountain range. E. Napp

3. The Himalayas are mountains. They separate India from China. E. Napp

4. The Himalayas are mountains in northern India. • The Himalayas are the highest mountains on the surface of the earth. • The Himalayas have passes. E. Napp

5. Passes allowed travelers to enter India. E. Napp

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

7. The monsoons are vital for farming. E. Napp

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

9. 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

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

11. India’s earliest civilization is called • Harappan civilization. • It developed in the Indus River • Valley. • It lasted from 3000 to 1500 B.C. E. Napp

12. Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro were important cities. E. Napp

13. Cities show evidence of urban • planning. Every brick was the • same size. • Indoor plumbing and toilets have • been uncovered. • Writing was developed but cannot • be deciphered. E. Napp

14. It may have declined if the monsoons did not come. Its decline is a mystery. E. Napp