Unit 8 – Chapter 23

1. Unit 8 – Chapter 23 The Physical Geography of South Asia Ch 23 PP

2. I. Section I The Land Ch 23 PP

3. A. A Separate Land • Subcontinent – a large distinct landmass that is joined to a continent • The seven countries in this region are separated from the rest of Asia by mountains • Most of South Asia is a peninsula Ch 23 PP

4. B. A Land of Great Variety • The Himalayas • Theory – the force of the collision between the subcontinent & Asia formed these • Mt. Everest – highest peak in the world – located here – 29,035ft. – border of Nepal & China Ch 23 PP

5. K2 (Godwin Austin) – 2nd highest peak – 28,250ft. – Pakistan Ch 23 PP

6. A Land of Great Variety (cont.) • Other Northern Landforms • Karakoram Mtns., Hindu Kush • In the past, invaders could only enter through the Khyber Pass • Ganges Plain (or Indo-Gangetic Plain) • 1/10 of the world’s population lives here! Ch 23 PP

7. B. (cont) • Central Landforms • Vindhya Range – also “pushed-up” by the collision • Divides India into northern & southern regions • Southern Landforms • Eastern & Western Ghats – form a triangle • Between them lies the Deccan Plateau Ch 23 PP

8. C. Major River Systems • Indus & Brahmaputra Rivers • Indus flows mainly through Pakistan • Empties where? • Brahmaputra flows through the Himalayas and then into India & Bangladesh • Joins with the Ganges to form a delta • Where does the Brahmaputra empty? Brahmaputra – ‘braided’ river Ch 23 PP

9. Major River Systems (cont.) • Ganges River • Most important river of this region! • Its waters are considered to be sacred • Ganges Plain is considered the world’s largest alluvial plain – India’s most densely populated area! Ch 23 PP Bathing in the Holy waters of the Ganges

10. D. Natural Resources • Water • Rivers • Alluvial soil, drinking water, transportation, hydroelectric power • Dams • In Pakistan, the Tarbela Dam, one of the largest dams in the world, will soon be unusable! (Built up silt from the Indus) • Energy Resources • Petroleum, natural gas, uranium • Minerals • Leading exporter of iron ore • Mica – layered rock used to make electric equipment (90% of world) - India • Sri Lanka – one of the world’s largest producers of graphite • Timber • Very important to this region! • Economy & Soil Ch 23 PP

11. II. Section II Climate & Vegetation Ch 23 PP Rampur, India

12. A. South Asia’s Climates • Tropical & Subtropical Climates • Tropical Rain Forest & Tropical Savanna • Highlands Climate • Northern edge of region • Dry Climates • Great Indian Desert (Thar Desert) • Steppe Ch 23 PP

13. B. Monsoons • Monsoon Rains • Monsoons – Seasonal Winds • Rains needed for crops • Sometimes they cause floods though! • Natural Disasters • Drought, Floods,Cyclones Ch 23 PP