South Asia Geography

Study Notes

Physical Features of South Asia

The region has three major mountain ranges: the Himalayas, the Hindu Kush, and the Karakoram range
The Himalayas act as a climatic divider between India and Tibet, preventing the passage of cold continental air from the north into India
The mountain ranges have influenced the region's culture and traditions

Rivers of South Asia

The three major river systems in South Asia are the Indus, the Ganges (or Ganga), and the Brahmaputra
The Indus River is one of the longest rivers in the world, extending over 2,000 miles, with a drainage area of over 450,000 square miles
The rivers are vital to agriculture in the area but also contribute to significant flooding and sediment deposits
The Brahmaputra River flows over 1,800 miles from the Himalayas before joining the Ganges River in Bangladesh
The Brahmaputra river experiences sediment-rich streams that spread mineral-rich silt replenishing agricultural lands along the river

South Asia's Geography

South Asia is a subregion of Asia, located between the Himalaya mountains to the north and the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal to the south
The region includes eight countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives
The geography and culture of South Asia are influenced by physical features and human characteristics

The Indus River Basin

The Indus River has a drainage area of over 450,000 square miles
Many glaciers in the Himalayan, Hindu Kush, and Karakoram Mountain ranges feed the Indus River, making its flow vary significantly throughout the year
Archeological evidence suggests civilizations existed within the Indus Valley as early as 7000 BCE
Over 1,052 cities and settlements have been discovered within the region, which is considered a cultural hearth

The Ganges River

The Ganges River system drains out of the Himalayas, through India and Bangladesh, before reaching the Bay of Bengal
The Ganges river basin is intensely irrigated, supporting hundreds of millions of people through some of the most fertile regions in the world
The river is culturally significant to Hindus, revered as a holy river, and hosts sites of tirthas (pilgrimage sites) and temples along its banks

The Himalayas

The Himalaya mountain range formation occurred nearly 50 million years ago when the Indian plate converged with the Eurasian plate
The Himalayas are among the highest mountain ranges in the world, with over 110 peaks exceeding 24,000 ft (7,300 meters)
Mt. Everest, the highest mountain in the world, has an elevation of 29,032 ft (8,849 meters)
The continuous northward movement of the Indian plate causes the Himalayas to continue to rise over 1 cm per year

Description

Test your knowledge of South Asia's geography, countries, and physical features. Learn about the region's cultural influences and natural environment. Explore the Himalayas, Indian Ocean, and Bay of Bengal.