A study of the cultural
geography of South Asia
will reveal how the region’s
history is tied to its ancient
past through language and
social structures.
Section 1:
India
The characteristics and
distribution of human
populations affect
physical and human
systems. India is a mix of
ancient influence and
modern cities in a country
that claims the world’s
largest democracy.
Section 2: Pakistan
and Bangladesh
Cooperation and conflict
among people influence
the division and control
of Earth’s surface.
Pakistan and Bangladesh
have worked together to
achieve goals, though they
have also experienced
conflict.
India
The cultural geography of
India includes a history that
is thousands of years old.
Today’s India is a mix of
ancient influence and
modern cities in a country
that claims the world’s
largest democracy.
India
A. Mumbai (Bombay)
B. Kolkata (Calcutta)
C. Delhi
D. Khyber pass
Population Patterns
Population density and distribution, as well
as urbanization, continue to shape India’s
population patterns.
• The people:
– Many Indians identify themselves by their religion.
Population Patterns (cont.)
• Density and distribution:
– India’s average population density is about 7
times the world average.
– Nearly 70% live in rural villages.
– India’s cities are among the world’s most densely
populated.
South Asia: Population Density
History and Government
India’s ancient history continues to
influence its populations today.
• First civilizations:
– Aryan people
– Indus Valley civilization
• India’s key religions:
– Hinduism
– Buddhism
History and Government (cont.)
• Invasions and Empires:
– Mauryan Empire
– Gupta Empire
– Mogul Empire
– European invasion
• Mohandas K. Gandhi led India’s fight for
independence—one that ended in freedom in 1947.
South Asian Empires
Culture
India’s people share an amazingly diverse
culture rooted in religious traditions.
• Education—children must attend school through
age 14.
• Health care—the state-run hospital system has
improved.
• Language—Hindi is the most widely spoken.
Culture (cont.)
• Religion—most people are Hindus.
• The arts—epic poems, dance, “Bollywood”
• Family life—extended families live together;
arranged marriage
• Leisure—movies, television, celebrations
Pakistan and Bangladesh
The histories of Pakistan
and Bangladesh have
included great conflict but
also great cultural
achievement.
Pakistan and Bangladesh
A. Dhaka
B. Islamabad
C. Karachi
D. Mohenjo Daro
E. Harappa
Population Patterns
Population movement and population
growth have had profound impacts on
Pakistan and Bangladesh.
• The people:
– Pakistan—Punjabis, Sindhis, Pashtuns, Mohajirs,
Baluchis
– Bangladesh—Bengali
Population Patterns (cont.)
• Density and distribution:
– Bangladesh is the most densely populated
country in South Asia.
– Pakistan is South Asia’s most urbanized
country.
Population by Age and Sex
History and Government
Similarities and differences have driven the
histories of Pakistan and Bangladesh.
• Achievements of the Indus Valley Civilization:
– Writing system
– Strong central government
– Thriving overseas trade
– First cities
Indus Valley Civilization
History and Government (cont.)
• Islam has played an important role in both
Pakistan and Bangladesh since the eighth
century.
• Conflicts and government:
– India and Pakistan have been fighting over
Kashmir for decades.
– East Pakistan versus West Pakistan
– Formation of Bangladesh
– Stable rule has been difficult in both countries.
Pakistan and Bangladesh both
have which type of government?
A. Democratic
B. Parliamentary republic
C. Communist
D. Socialist
0%
A
A.
B.
C.
0%
D.
B
A
B
C
0%
D
C
0%
D
Culture
Although the people of Pakistan and
Bangladesh share cultural similarities, there
are also distinct differences between them.
• Education—lags far behind most other South Asian
countries
• Health care—very poor
• Language—Bangladeshis speak Bangla; Pakistanis
speak Punjabi.
Culture (cont.)
• Religion—Islam is the main religion in both
countries.
• The arts—literature, dance, and music
• Family life—family is the center of social life.
Population and Culture
• The population of South
Asia exceeds 1 billion
and continues to grow.
• South Asia has an
ethnically diverse
population.
• There are several
hundred languages
spoken in the region,
and most of the world’s
major religions are practiced here.
The Impact of Colonialism
•
Most of South Asia was ruled
by the British under its colonial
empire.
• The colony of India was
divided into Pakistan, which
was comprised mostly of
Muslims, and India which
was mostly Hindu.
• Pakistan was divided into
East and West Pakistan. East Pakistan later broke from
West Pakistan to become Bangladesh.
• Issues from the colonial era still exist today as India and
Pakistan fight over who should control the Kashmir region.
Conflict and Government
• Ethnic and religious
diversity in South Asia
often leads to conflict.
• After India and Pakistan
gained their independence,
Hindus and Muslims on the
wrong side of the border
often faced violence against
them.
• In Sri Lanka, the minority Hindus are using violence
to try to gain independence from the majority
Buddhist in the south.
India’s population will
continue to grow. The
percentage of urban
population will also
increase.
As the number of
people per sq. km
grows, it is likely that
cities will get more
crowded.
jati
in traditional Hindu society, a social
group that defines a family’s
occupation and social standing
megalopolis
a “great city” that is made up of
several large and small cities, such as
the area between Boston and
Washington, D.C.
dharma
in Hinduism, a person’s moral duty,
based on class distinctions, which
guides his or her life
reincarnation
rebirth into new bodies or forms of life
karma
in Hindu belief, the sum of good and
bad actions in one’s present and past
lives
mercantilism
the theory or practice of merchant
and trading pursuits
imperialism
the actions by which one nation is
able to control other, usually smaller
or weaker, nations
raj
Hindi word for “empire”
guru
a teacher or spiritual guide
total fertility rate
the average number of children a
woman has in her lifetime
Sikh
a religious group that incorporates
elements of Hinduism and Islam
lama
Buddhist religious leader
mantra
in Hinduism, a sacred word or phrase
repeated in prayers and chants
stupa
a dome-shaped structure that serves
as a Buddhist shrine