Chapter 24
Physical Geography of South Asia
The Land Where Continents Collided
Objective: Assess key features
of South Asia’s physical
geography,
climate/vegetation, & humanenvironment interaction
Chapter 24 Section 1
Landforms & Resources
Vocabulary: Himalaya
Mountains, Subcontinent,
Alluvial Plain, Archipelago, &
Atoll
Objective: Describe the
subcontinent of South Asia
Mountains & Plateaus
• South Asia is a subcontinent – a
large landmass that is smaller
than a continent
• Mountains & water surround the region
cutting it off from the rest of Asia
• During continental drift, the
subcontinent collided with Asia
pushing the land upward creating
mountain ranges
• The Himalaya Mountains are 24000 ft
high & stretch 1500 miles
• Mt. Everest is the world’s tallest
peak
• In the northeast are the Karakoram
Mountains with the 2nd largest peak K2
Rivers, Deltas, & Plains
• The Indus & Ganges are
two of the greatest river
systems in South Asia
• These rivers play a key role in
supporting life in South Asia
• When the rivers overflow
their banks, they deposit
rich soil on alluvial plains
(rich farmlands)
• The Indo-Gangetic Plain is also
the most heavily populated
part of South Asia
Offshore Islands
• Sri Lanka & the Maldives
are located in the Indian
Ocean
• Sri Lanka is a large tropical
island with great natural
beauty
• Maldives comprise an
archipelago (group of
1200 islands)
• They are consider atoll
islands (ring-like coral
island or string of small
islands surrounding a
lagoon)
Natural Resources
• The subcontinent coasts a wide
variety of natural resources that
support human life
• South Asia relies heavily on
soil & water resources to
provide food through
farming & fishing
• Water also provides a means of
transportation & power
• Forest products are another
important resource in South Asia
• South Asia is abundant in
coal & iron ore & other
metals
Chapter 24 Section 2
Climate & Vegetation
Vocabulary: Monsoon &
Cyclone
Objective: Examine climate zones
& weather patterns
Climate – Wet & Dry, Hot & Cold
• South Asia has 6 climate zones &
must adapt to widely varying
conditions
• South Asia as a whole is
affected by monsoons
(seasonal winds)
• October – February: dry winds
blow across South Asia from the
northeast
• June – September: moist air
blows in from the southwest
across South Asia
• The most extreme weather
pattern of South Asia is the
cyclone (violent storms with
fierce winds & heavy rains)
Vegetation: Desert to Rain Forest
• Vegetation ranges from
desert shrub & temperate
grasslands to dense forests
in the wettest areas
• The most forested parts of
South Asia lie within the
tropical wet zone
• Deforestation is a problem
everywhere
• Cutting down forests has
caused soil erosion,
flooding, climate changes,
& lost of wildlife habitats
Chapter 24 Section 3
Human-Environment Interaction
Vocabulary: Hinduism,
Ganges River, Storm Surge, &
Estuary
Objective: Learn about the
relationship between Hindus & the
Ganges
Living Along the Ganges
• Hinduism is the religion of most
Indians
• To Hindus, the Ganges River is
not only an important water
resource, but it is also a sacred
river
• The Ganges is a sacred river that
brings life to its people
• Along the river 350 million people
live
• However, the Ganges has
become one of the most polluted
rivers in the world
• Millions of gallons of raw sewage &
industrial waster flow into the river
everyday
Controlling the Feni River
• The Feni river flows
through a low-lying coastal
plain that borders the Bay
of Bengal before it reaches
the sea
• Cyclones bring high waters
called storm surges
• Bangladesh has the
largest estuary (dam) in
South Asia to deal with
the Feni river