Physical Geography of South Asia

TULOSO-MIDWAY HIGH SCHOOL

Landform Regions of South Asia

Himalayas The Ganges River Basin The Indus River Basin The Deccan Plateau

HIMALAYAS

• Separate India from other countries in the region • Contains the world’s highest mountain, Mt. Everest (~29,000 ft above sea level)

HIMALAYAS

• Formed by tectonic forces convergence • Earthquakes are common in region • Among the youngest mountain ranges on the planet (70 million years old)

Hindu Kush

• Smaller in area than the Himalayas, but almost as high and just as rugged.

• Located mostly in Afghanistan.

• The word “kush” means “death.”

Khyber Pass

• Best known pass through the Hindu Kush.

• For centuries, traders and invaders traveled through this pass.

Kashmir

• Isolated valley in northern India.

• Famous for the production of a fine wool.

• Split between India, Pakistan and China.

Indo-Gangetic Plain

• Large plain formed by the Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers.

• Most fertile and densely populated part of South Asia.

Indus River

• Largest river of Pakistan.

• The word “indus” means “river.” • India’s name comes from this river.

DECCAN PLATEAU

• Makes up most of central and southern India • Rugged area • Access difficult • Low population density

Deccan Plateau

• Large plateau (an elevated flat or hilly landmass) • Bordered by mountains: – Vindhyas – Western Ghats – Eastern Ghats

DECCAN PLATEAU

RIVER SYSTEMS

• Indus River and Ganges River are the two most important in the region • Provide for farming (irrigation) and energy production (hydroelectric power)

GANGES RIVER

• Religious rituals of the Hindu include: – Bathing for purification and – Disposal of their deceased • RESULT: • One of the most polluted rivers in the world

Ganges River

• Largest river in India.

• Most holy river of Hinduism.

• Joins with Brahmaputra to create an enormous delta in Bangladesh.

GANGES RIVER

• POLLUTED RIVER

GANGES RIVER

• National Geographic article on the polluted state of the Ganges River – http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/ 2011/11/111123-india-ganges-river pollution/

Brahmaputra River

• Large river that starts in Tibet (China).

• Runs through India and Bangladesh.

• Name means “Son of Brahma.”

Thar Desert

Large desert in India and Pakistan.

Western Ghats

The Western Ghats create a “rain shadow.” Windward Side Leeward Side

Review: Physical Features

• Deccan Plateau • Himalayas • Hindu Kush • Indo-Gangetic Plain • Thar Desert • Western Ghats Hindu Kush Thar Desert Himalayas Indo-Gangetic Deccan Western Plateau Ghats

Climates

• With monsoons to the South and East, there is heavy seasonal rainfall (India).

• Dry climates to the west (in Pakistan).

• Highland climates in the north (Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan).

MONSOONS

• To the people of India, the monsoons are a source of life.

• Seasonal reversal of winds bring heavy rainfall or no rain at all.

• General onshore movement in summer, bringing rainfall (lots of it).

• General offshore flow in winter, resulting in little rain. • Very distinctive seasonal precipitation

POTENTIALLY NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF MONSOONS

• Widespread flooding • Property damage • Destruction to agricultural lands • Damage to transportation infrastructure • Homelessness • Disease • Malnutrition • Serious injury • Death

Natural Hazards in South Asia

• Earthquakes • Monsoons and Flooding • Drought and Fires • Tsunamis • Cyclones

TSUNAMIS

•

A series of ocean waves

generated usually by an earthquake in the sea floor. • In the deep ocean, the tsunami wave may only be a few inches high. • The tsunami wave may come gently ashore or may increase in height to become a fast moving wall of turbulent water several meters high .

TSUNAMIS

• • Video of March 11, 2011 tsunami in Japan http://video.nationalgeographic.com/vid eo/news/environment-news/japan tsunami-2011-vin/ • • Video of tsunami in Sri Lanka http://video.nationalgeographic.com/vid eo/environment/environment-natural disasters/tsunamis/tsunami-sri-lanka/

CYCLONES

• A cyclone is a hurricane that occurs in the South Pacific or Indian Oceans

CYCLONES

• More on cyclones from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration • http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/cyclo ne.html