South Asia Physical Map Flashcards

Study Notes

Major Rivers in South Asia

Brahmaputra River: Flows through India, Bangladesh, and Tibet; known for its deep gorges and monsoon floods.
Coleroon River: A tributary of the Kaveri, flowing through Tamil Nadu, significant for agriculture.
Ganges River: Sacred to Hindus; provides water for over 400 million people; heavily polluted.
Ghaghara River: Flows through Nepal and India; a tributary of the Ganges; known for seasonal flooding.
Godavari River: India's second longest river; flows eastward into the Bay of Bengal; vital for irrigation.
Indus River: Originates in Tibet; crucial for Pakistan's economy; features significant historical settlements.
Krishna River: Flows through Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh; key for irrigation and hydroelectric power.
Meghna River: Flows primarily in Bangladesh; contributes to the fertile delta; prone to monsoon flooding.
Narmada River: One of the major rivers flowing westward; important for dam projects and irrigation.
Sutlej River: Originates in Tibet; flows through India and Pakistan; significant for agriculture.
Yamuna River: Second largest tributary of the Ganges; heavily polluted; crucial for Delhi's water supply.

Bodies of Water

Arabian Sea: Bordered by India to the east; vital for trade routes; rich in marine biodiversity.
Bay of Bengal: Largest bay in the world; significant for monsoon weather patterns and fisheries.
Indian Ocean: Major trade routes pass through; essential for national economies in the region.
Gulf of Kutch: Located between India and Pakistan; rich in biodiversity and fishing resources.
Gulf of Khambhat: Situated off the western coast of India; important for shipping trade.
Gulf of Mannar: Lies between India and Sri Lanka; recognized for its marine biosphere.
Lacadive Sea: A part of the Indian Ocean; known for its coral reefs and diverse marine life.

Geographic Features

Mouths of the Ganges: Delta region where the river meets the Bay of Bengal; includes Sundarbans.
Palk Strait: Body of water between India and Sri Lanka; important for trade and transportation.
Chota Nagpur Plateau: Rich in minerals; a key area for coal and iron mining.
Deccan Plateau: Large plateau in southern India; known for its volcanic basalt rock formations.
Eastern Ghats: Mountain range parallel to the eastern coast of India; biodiversity hotspot.
Great Indian (Thar) Desert: Expansive desert area; home to unique ecosystems and nomadic tribes.
Himalayas: Highest mountain range in the world; forms a natural border between India and Tibet.
Hindu Kush: Mountain range in Afghanistan; known for its rugged terrain and historical trading routes.
Karakoram Range: Contains some of the world's highest peaks, including K2; significant for trekking and mountaineering.
Khyber Pass: Historical trade route; strategic military passage between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Mt. Everest: The highest mountain peak globally, located in the Himalayas; a major climbing destination.
Satpura Range: Mountain range in central India; known for its rich biodiversity and national parks.
Sulaiman Range: Range located in Pakistan; characterized by its unique geological features.
Vindhya Range: Series of hills in central India; historically significant as a cultural boundary.
Western Ghats: Mountain range along the western coast of India; recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its flora and fauna.