South Asia Geography Study Guide PDF

South Asia Geography Main Idea: The key physical features of South Asia include mountains, rivers, and a delta.  South Asia On a map, South Asia looks like a diamond-shaped chunk of land that was shoved into Asia. India subcontinent its a separate region of Asia continent. The plate is still movi...

South Asia Geography Main Idea: The key physical features of South Asia include mountains, rivers, and a delta.  South Asia On a map, South Asia looks like a diamond-shaped chunk of land that was shoved into Asia. India subcontinent its a separate region of Asia continent. The plate is still moving as a result, the Himalayas are being pushed together. They are the highest mountain range in the World. This movement produced the World’s tallest mountain. The Mount Everest in Nepal. Rainwater & snow melt from these mountains form South Asia’s rivers.  Countries of South Asia We will focus on seven countries in South Asia. India __ New Delhi Pakistan __ Islamabad Bangladesh ___ Dhaka Nepal ____ Kathmandu Bhutan ___ Thimphu Sri Lanka ___ Colombo Maldives ____ Male  Major Rivers System Much of South Asia’s water drains into the Ganges River and the Indus River. This river system provide drinking water & nourish farmland and are considered holy by Hindus. In Bangladesh the Brahmaputra River joins the Ganges, forming the low fertile Ganges Delta. A delta is an area where a river deposits sediment as it empties into a body of water.  Living with the Monsoons Monsoons are seasonal winds that bring intense rainfall during part of the year. These powerful wind patterns are an important feature of south Asia’s climate.  Summer: Wet Monsoons From May to early October, winds blow northward from the Indian Ocean & bring heavy rain. Certain areas receive 100 inches of rain per year. During wet years these areas might receive over 300 inches. The summer monsoon rains irrigate crops & fill reservoirs. The rains can also cause deadly floods & landslides. Despite these annual downpours, people forge ahead with their daily activities. They adapt by finding ways to save crops & navigate flooded streets.  Winter: Dry Monsoon From November to April, the winter monsoons reverse direction and blow southwards. The air from this direction is usually dry. The dry season do not produce as much rain as the wet monsoon do. Infact, very dry season can destroy crops, which threatens farmers livelihoods & economic well being of the region.  South Asia: A Geographic Overview Look closely at the unique shape of the South Asian region The area forms a diamond-like landmass pushing into the Asian continent Key geographic features include: The Himalayan Mountain Range Major river systems Diverse climate zones Challenge: Can you identify the seven countries we'll explore? Mapping the Countries of South Asia Label the seven countries on your map: India (Capital: New Delhi) Pakistan (Capital: Islamabad) Bangladesh (Capital: Dhaka) Nepal (Capital: Kathmandu) Bhutan (Capital: Thimphu) Sri Lanka (Capital: Colombo) Maldives (Capital: Male) Bonus Activity: Color-code each country on your map  Rivers: The Lifelines of South Asia Trace the major river systems on your map: Ganges River Indus River Brahmaputra River Discover how these rivers impact: Drinking water Agricultural irrigation Cultural significance Question: Why might rivers be considered sacred in this region?  Monsoon Mysteries Understand the two monsoon seasons: Summer Monsoon (May to October) Heavy rainfall (up to 300 inches per year) Crucial for crop irrigation Winter Monsoon (November to April) Dry winds Potential crop challenges Reflection: How do people adapt to these extreme weather patterns? Challenge: Create a seasonal chart showing rainfall differences