South Asia Physical Geography
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary reason South Asia is considered a subcontinent?

  • It has diverse climates.
  • It has a rich cultural history.
  • It is a large landmass smaller than a continent. (correct)
  • It is surrounded by large bodies of water.

    • Which of the following challenges has South Asia faced in recent decades?

  • Increased stress on the environment (correct)
  • Declining population
  • Expansion of agriculture
  • Diminishing natural resources

    • What geological event led to the formation of the Himalayan mountain range?

  • Subduction of the Indian plate
  • Erosion from river systems
  • Volcanic activity from the Indian plate
  • Collision of Indian and Eurasian plates (correct)

    • Which landform region is known for being home to Mount Everest?

    <p>Himalayan Mountain Rim</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a major result of high population growth in South Asia?

    <p>Modernizing gap between urban and rural areas</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What geological feature is formed as rivers carry sediment from the Himalayas?

    <p>Indo-Gangetic Plain</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which mountain range is recognized as the second highest in the world, located west of the Himalayas?

    <p>Karakoram Range</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant tectonic plate activity occurred approximately 40 million years ago that shaped South Asia?

    <p>The Indian plate collided with the Eurasian plate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are traditional Indian handicrafts primarily used for?

    <p>Rural employment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one of the notable achievements of the Indus Civilization?

    <p>Created irrigation agriculture</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary garment worn by men in rural India?

    <p>Dohtee</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which group took over the Indus area around 1500 B.C.?

    <p>Aryans</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary belief associated with Hinduism?

    <p>Salvation through dharma</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What responsibility does a wife generally have in a rural Indian household after marriage?

    <p>Field work and water collection</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many languages are spoken in India?

    <p>18</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In urban India, what type of clothing do most city dwellers wear?

    <p>European-style clothing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of the population in India practices Hinduism?

    <p>80%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major issue faced by the urban poor in India?

    <p>Lack of clean water and sanitation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant characteristic of the working middle class in urban India?

    <p>They are part of a growing consumer economy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which language is recognized as the national language of India?

    <p>Hindi</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a significant cultural outcome of the contact between Aryans and Dravidians?

    <p>Emergence of Indo-Aryan culture</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the roles that urban women perform?

    <p>They work in professional and factory jobs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of living conditions do many of the poor in urban India experience?

    <p>Slums and makeshift homes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What has been a long-standing issue within the religious context in South Asia?

    <p>Religious tension between Hindus and Muslims</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary basis for the ordering of the four major castes in the caste system?

    <p>Occupations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the Untouchables primarily known for in the caste system?

    <p>Performing the lowest tasks in society</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which Hindu caste is responsible for religious authority and intellectual pursuits?

    <p>Brahmins</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the caste system differ from a class system?

    <p>Caste is based on birth and is generally fixed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the significance of Mohandas Gandhi's approach towards Untouchables?

    <p>He treated them with respect and dignity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What major social reform was enacted in India after independence?

    <p>Abolishment of the caste system</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which historical event is associated with the introduction of Islam into South Asia?

    <p>Muslim invasions around A.D. 1000</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one of the primary effects of the caste system on Untouchables?

    <p>They faced violence and discrimination.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary reason for limited food production in South Asia?

    <p>Small inefficient farms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What has been a consequence of agricultural development in India?

    <p>Self-sufficiency in food production</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did the introduction of high-yield grains affect South Asian agriculture?

    <p>It increased agricultural output initially.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does the sacred status of cattle play in Indian agriculture?

    <p>All parts of cattle are utilized by farmers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What major challenge is caused by the equal division of land among sons?

    <p>Decreased size of farms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did Britain's ban on Indian calicoes impact the economy?

    <p>It caused economic decline in India.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happened to the cotton supply for Britain during the American Civil War?

    <p>Britain sourced cotton exclusively from India.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What agricultural issues remain prevalent in India despite advances?

    <p>Soil erosion and deforestation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    South Asia Physical Geography

    • South Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, is a triangular peninsula extending into the Indian Ocean.
    • Over 20% of the global population resides in South Asia, making it one of the most densely populated regions.
    • Environmental challenges include high population growth, urban-rural disparities, and conflicts, notably between India and Pakistan.
    • The Indian plate was part of Gondwanaland, separating 65 million years ago; its collision with the Eurasian plate formed the Himalayas 40 million years ago.

    Major Landform Regions

    • Himalayan Mountain Rim:
      • Stretches through Nepal, Bhutan, northern India, and Pakistan.
      • Hosts Mount Everest, the highest peak at 29,028 feet.
      • Source of major South Asian rivers, contributing to sedimentation in the Indo-Gangetic Plain.
    • Indo-Gangetic Plain:
      • Formed from sediments carried down by Himalayan rivers.
    • Deccan Plateau:
      • A large plateau located in southern India.

    Culture of South Asia

    • Indus Civilization:
      • One of the earliest civilizations, flourishing around 2500 B.C. in the Indus River Valley.
      • Innovations included irrigation agriculture and trade networks.
    • Aryan Migration:
      • Nomadic Aryans from Central Asia influenced Indus civilization around 1500 B.C., leading to the emergence of Indo-Aryan culture.
    • Hinduism:
      • Developed in the upper Ganges River area; focuses on dharma and reincarnation.
      • Sanskrit is widely practiced; it is the basis for many Indian languages.

    Language and Religion

    • Eighteen languages are spoken in India; Hindi is the national language spoken by one-third of the population.
    • English serves as the medium for government, education, and business.
    • Religious demographics:
      • Approximately 80% Hindu, 14% Muslim, 2% Christian, 2% Sikh.
      • Other beliefs include Buddhism and various indigenous practices.

    The Caste System

    • A social hierarchy developed by Hindu Aryans, categorizing individuals into four castes based on occupation:
      • Brahmins: Priests and scholars.
      • Kshatriyas: Warriors and rulers.
      • Vaisyas: Merchants and landowners.
      • Sudras: Laborers and service providers.
    • Untouchables:
      • Considered outside of the caste system, facing severe discrimination and often performing the most undesirable jobs.
    • The system is rigid; individuals cannot move across castes, affecting social mobility.
    • Abolished by the Indian constitution but discrimination persists.

    History of South Asia

    • The Mauryan Empire in the 3rd century B.C. played a pivotal role in spreading Buddhism.
    • Muslim invasions around A.D. 1000 introduced Islam, followed by Sikhism in the 15th century blending Hindu and Muslim beliefs.

    Modern South Asia

    • Agriculture remains predominant with most residents in small farming villages.
    • Limited food production due to inefficient farming practices, high fertilizer costs, and vulnerabilities to natural disasters.
    • The Green Revolution aimed to boost agricultural output but faced challenges from population pressures.
    • Major crops include tea, sugarcane, and cotton, with cattle valued for various utilities.

    Industrial Development and Urbanization

    • Post-colonial economic policies affected the industrialization of South Asia, leading to reliance on agriculture over manufacturing.
    • Traditional handicrafts remain significant for rural employment, encompassing textiles, jewelry, and metal goods.
    • Urban areas witness a blend of traditional and modern lifestyles, with increasing literacy and job opportunities for women, but also widespread poverty.
    • Slum conditions are prevalent in cities, lacking basic sanitation and infrastructure.

    Rural Life vs Urban Life

    • Rural women traditionally have low literacy rates and bear significant physical responsibilities within the family.
    • Urban males dominate societal structures, while urban women increasingly participate in professional roles, contributing to a growing consumer economy.

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    WG 8 SouthAsia GNPowerPoint.pptx

    Description

    Explore the unique physical geography of South Asia, also known as the Indian subcontinent. This quiz covers its geographical features, climate, and natural landscapes. Test your knowledge about this diverse region and its significance in the world.

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