History 8
Principles of Geography
Geography Detectives – South & Southeast Asia
Directions: Answer the following questions using the maps of Asia (pp. 48-49), the Indian
Subcontinent (p. 53), and Southeastern Asia (pp. 56-57) in your atlas, and your knowledge of
geography. You may work in pairs if you wish.
Part I:
1. What types of maps are displayed on p. 48 and p. 49? If the maps weren’t labeled, how would
you know which types of maps they were?
2. Locate the legend on p. 48. What kind(s) of symbols does it use? What does it explain?
3. Compare the scales on the maps on p. 48 and p. 53. How are they different and why does it
matter?
4. Record the coordinates (latitude, longitude) for:
Mumbai
Kolkata
Bangkok
Jakarta
Questions 5-10 will help you create a physical map of South and Southeast Asia on the
outline map provided. You will need to refer to ALL of the maps listed in the directions to
complete YOUR map. Use BLUE to identify bodies of water and BROWN to identify
landforms.
5. Record the names of the following mountain ranges: Himalayas, Hindu Kush, Western
Ghats, and Eastern Ghats. Which has the greatest elevation and relief? How do you know?
6. What is a plateau? Label the following: Tibetan Plateau, Deccan Plateau.
7. What is a plain? Label the following: Indo-Gangetic Plain.
8. What are oceans, rivers, river valleys, lakes, and deltas? Label the following:
Indus River
Indian Ocean
Arabian Sea
Ganges River
Pacific Ocean
Bay of Bengal
Ayeyarwady River
South China Sea
9. Find an island and label it.
Find a peninsula and label it.
10. What is a desert? Label: Thar Desert
11. What are emergent and submergent coastlines? Can you find any on the map? Why do
different types of coastlines matter?
Part II:
12. Predict THREE areas on the map that are likely to have high population density. Support
your predictions. Confirm them by looking at the map on p. 51. What type of map is it?
13. List TWO types of economic activity that humans might conduct in the mountain ranges
identified in #5.
14. List TWO types of economic activities that humans might conduct in the plain identified in
#7.
15. List TWO types of economic activities that humans might conduct on the coasts identified in
#11.
16. List ONE economic advantage and ONE economic disadvantage for humans living in the
areas identified in #8.
17. List ONE economic advantage and ONE economic disadvantage for humans living in the
area identified in #9.
18. Identify THREE natural barriers on the map. What advantages and disadvantages do they
pose for human settlement?
Part III:
Using the Principles of Geography and the Map of Wind Patterns, consider the interaction
between physical features and climate. Use your knowledge of geography to predict how people
live in South and Southeast Asia. Draw parallels of latitude and wind patterns on your map.
19. Describe the climate for the West Coast of the Indian Subcontinent (temperature, rainfall,
seasons). State TWO geographic explanations for this climate pattern.
20. Describe the climate for the East Coast of the India Subcontinent (temperature, rainfall,
seasons). Why is this area called the Great Plains? State TWO geographic explanations for this
climate pattern.
21. What are monsoons? What role do wind patterns and the Ghat Mountains play in causing
them?
22. Describe the climate of the Indo-Gangetic Plain (temperature, rainfall, seasons).
23. Describe the climate of the Deccan Plateau (temperature, rainfall, seasons).
24. How do the differences in climate between the Indo-Gangetic Plain, the Deccan Plateau,
and the coastal regions explain the differences between northern and southern India?
25. Which area(s) [identify by range of degrees of latitude and longitude] would be best for the
production of grains that require little water such as wheat?
26. Which area(s) [identify by range of degrees of latitude and longitude] would be best for the
production of rice?
27. Which area(s) would be best for the production of green vegetables? Why?
Part IV:
Identify the following POLITICAL features on your outline map. Label them in BLACK.
Kashmir
Afghanistan
Pakistan
India
Nepal
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Myanmar
Thailand
China
Laos
Cambodia
Vietnam
Malaysia
Indonesia
Singapore
Philippines
Sri Lanka
Part V:
Conclusion: Answer the following questions.
[1] Where do people choose to live and why? Consider:
 What role do physical features (bodies of water and landforms) play in
determining the economic activities of a region?
 What role do physical features play in determining demographic
patterns?
 What role does climate play in determining the economic activities of a
region?
 What role does climate play in determining demographic patterns?
[2] In modern times, the Indian Subcontinent has suffered from economic
underdevelopment. What role do you think geography has played in this pattern?