Unit 9 Lesson 9.1: Physical Geography of South Asia
Learning Targets and Vocabulary
Bengal Tiger >>>>>
Habitiat
Analyze the image above. Based on what you see, what do you think is the primary habitat of the Bengal Tiger?
Subcontinent
Being a subcontinent also contributes to the uniqueness of the physical features, plant and animal life, and climate of the region.
South Asia is known as a subcontinent, a large landmass joined to a continent. This is partly due to the seven countries of the region being separated from the rest of Asia by mountain ranges. The seven countries in the region include India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives
Brahmaputra River
Ganges River
Waterways
More Waterways
Kudle Beach
Indus River
The map highlights the Indo-Gangetic Plain, the Deccan Plateau, and the Chota Nagpur Plateau.
Plains & Plateaus
IndoGangetic Plain
South Asia has the fertile Indo-Gangetic Plain formed by the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra rivers. It has been largely deforested for crops like rice and sugarcane, making it the world’s longest alluvial plain, an area of fertile soil deposited by a river’s floodwaters.
Himalayan Mountains
Mt. Everest
The highest peak in the Himalayas is Mount Everest standing at 29,028 feet (~8.85 km). This is also the tallest mountain on Earth; it is like the king of all the mountains. The air at the peak is so thin that the oxygen there is only 33% of that found at sea level. Including Mount Everest, the Himalayas contain nine of the ten highest peaks in the world.
These mountains stretch about 1,500 miles (~2414 km) across five countries: India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, and Pakistan. Not only are they breathtaking to look at, but these mountains also play an important role. They act like a giant wall protecting the land from cold winds and influencing the climate.
Himalayan Pine Tree
Himalayan Black Bear
Red Panda
Other Notable Mountains
Deserts
Thar Desert
The Thar Desert of South Asia is a vast area of sandy dunes in the northwest part of India and in Pakistan. Even though it is one of the world's largest deserts, many people and animals call it home.
Watch the video on the Thar Desert. As you watch, think about how the people living here have adapted to the geography of this area.
Forests
Forests are key in South Asia’s geography. The Sundarbans, in the Ganges and Brahmaputra delta, is the largest mangrove, trees or bushes that grow in thick clusters along seashores or riverbanks, forest and home to the Bengal tiger.
Exit Ticket
Name the physical features on the map
The Ganges River, shown in the image, flows east across the region. It is the most important river in the region because it spreads across a basin of about 400,000 square miles (about the area of Egypt). This river maintains its flow all year long because of the snowcapped mountains it feeds from. This river is named after the Hindu goddess Ganga and is greatly respected by the Hindu people.
something related to Hinduism or a person who practices the religion.
Hindu
trees or bushes that grow in thick clusters along seashores or riverbanks
mangrove
an area of fertile soil deposited by a river’s floodwaters.
Alluvial Plain
the area that drains rainfall and snowmelt into streams and rivers
watershed
a large landmass joined to a continent
Subcontinent
The Himalayas are not just about height; they create a barrier that affects the weather, and they are also home to many plants and animals that you cannot find anywhere else in the world, like the red panda, the Himalayan black bear, and the Himalayan pine tree. Go to the next page to take a look at these unique species of animals.
The Chota Nagpur Plateau is located in the central part of South Asia.
The numerous plains and plateaus of South Asia provide valuable living spaces and essential land for growing crops for the people who have settled in this region.
The Indus River flows through the western part of the region and provides water to many peach and apple orchards. It empties into the Arabian Sea. This river also serves the purpose of transportation. The Indus River Valley, shown in the image, is known as the cradle of ancient India, one of history’s earliest civilizations.
The mangrove forests are also facing many threats. This includes deforestation for shrimp farms or agricultural use, and erosion or pollution from the settlement of humans in the area. Luckily, there are local and international groups working to protect and restore these environmentally important areas.
Climbers dream of reaching the summit of Mount Everest. With around 600 attempts each year, pollution has significantly increased. Each climber leaves about 18 pounds of trash, including oxygen tanks, much of which remains on the mountain. This waste impacts local communities in the watershed, as there are no waste management facilities.
The Brahmaputra River travels in several different directions across the region: east across the north, west into India and then south into Bangladesh. It forms the world’s largest delta with the Ganges River and empties into the Bay of Bengal. Boats can travel this river for up to 800 miles inland from the sea.
The Chota Nagpur (CHOW tuh NAAG pr) Plateau is a table-like plateau filled with forests, located in the northeastern part of India.
The Deccan Plateau, located in central and southern India, is one of the largest. It is a dry and rocky area that has many hills and is rich in minerals. It was originally covered in volcanic lava, which has helped in the creation of the rich soil.
Fertile plains and hills in South Asia benefit from the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra rivers. Other rivers like the Godavari and Krishna also supply vital water for India's population. These rivers bring rich soil and water from the mountains, aiding farmers in growing crops for millions.
Lesson 9.1: Physical Geography of South Asia
MS: Middle School
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Transcript
Unit 9 Lesson 9.1: Physical Geography of South Asia
Learning Targets and Vocabulary
Bengal Tiger >>>>>
Habitiat
Analyze the image above. Based on what you see, what do you think is the primary habitat of the Bengal Tiger?
Subcontinent
Being a subcontinent also contributes to the uniqueness of the physical features, plant and animal life, and climate of the region.
South Asia is known as a subcontinent, a large landmass joined to a continent. This is partly due to the seven countries of the region being separated from the rest of Asia by mountain ranges. The seven countries in the region include India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives
Brahmaputra River
Ganges River
Waterways
More Waterways
Kudle Beach
Indus River
The map highlights the Indo-Gangetic Plain, the Deccan Plateau, and the Chota Nagpur Plateau.
Plains & Plateaus
IndoGangetic Plain
South Asia has the fertile Indo-Gangetic Plain formed by the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra rivers. It has been largely deforested for crops like rice and sugarcane, making it the world’s longest alluvial plain, an area of fertile soil deposited by a river’s floodwaters.
Himalayan Mountains
Mt. Everest
The highest peak in the Himalayas is Mount Everest standing at 29,028 feet (~8.85 km). This is also the tallest mountain on Earth; it is like the king of all the mountains. The air at the peak is so thin that the oxygen there is only 33% of that found at sea level. Including Mount Everest, the Himalayas contain nine of the ten highest peaks in the world.
These mountains stretch about 1,500 miles (~2414 km) across five countries: India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, and Pakistan. Not only are they breathtaking to look at, but these mountains also play an important role. They act like a giant wall protecting the land from cold winds and influencing the climate.
Himalayan Pine Tree
Himalayan Black Bear
Red Panda
Other Notable Mountains
Deserts
Thar Desert
The Thar Desert of South Asia is a vast area of sandy dunes in the northwest part of India and in Pakistan. Even though it is one of the world's largest deserts, many people and animals call it home. Watch the video on the Thar Desert. As you watch, think about how the people living here have adapted to the geography of this area.
Forests
Forests are key in South Asia’s geography. The Sundarbans, in the Ganges and Brahmaputra delta, is the largest mangrove, trees or bushes that grow in thick clusters along seashores or riverbanks, forest and home to the Bengal tiger.
Exit Ticket
Name the physical features on the map
The Ganges River, shown in the image, flows east across the region. It is the most important river in the region because it spreads across a basin of about 400,000 square miles (about the area of Egypt). This river maintains its flow all year long because of the snowcapped mountains it feeds from. This river is named after the Hindu goddess Ganga and is greatly respected by the Hindu people.
something related to Hinduism or a person who practices the religion.
Hindu
trees or bushes that grow in thick clusters along seashores or riverbanks
mangrove
an area of fertile soil deposited by a river’s floodwaters.
Alluvial Plain
the area that drains rainfall and snowmelt into streams and rivers
watershed
a large landmass joined to a continent
Subcontinent
The Himalayas are not just about height; they create a barrier that affects the weather, and they are also home to many plants and animals that you cannot find anywhere else in the world, like the red panda, the Himalayan black bear, and the Himalayan pine tree. Go to the next page to take a look at these unique species of animals.
The Chota Nagpur Plateau is located in the central part of South Asia.
The numerous plains and plateaus of South Asia provide valuable living spaces and essential land for growing crops for the people who have settled in this region.
The Indus River flows through the western part of the region and provides water to many peach and apple orchards. It empties into the Arabian Sea. This river also serves the purpose of transportation. The Indus River Valley, shown in the image, is known as the cradle of ancient India, one of history’s earliest civilizations.
The mangrove forests are also facing many threats. This includes deforestation for shrimp farms or agricultural use, and erosion or pollution from the settlement of humans in the area. Luckily, there are local and international groups working to protect and restore these environmentally important areas.
Climbers dream of reaching the summit of Mount Everest. With around 600 attempts each year, pollution has significantly increased. Each climber leaves about 18 pounds of trash, including oxygen tanks, much of which remains on the mountain. This waste impacts local communities in the watershed, as there are no waste management facilities.
The Brahmaputra River travels in several different directions across the region: east across the north, west into India and then south into Bangladesh. It forms the world’s largest delta with the Ganges River and empties into the Bay of Bengal. Boats can travel this river for up to 800 miles inland from the sea.
The Chota Nagpur (CHOW tuh NAAG pr) Plateau is a table-like plateau filled with forests, located in the northeastern part of India.
The Deccan Plateau, located in central and southern India, is one of the largest. It is a dry and rocky area that has many hills and is rich in minerals. It was originally covered in volcanic lava, which has helped in the creation of the rich soil.
Fertile plains and hills in South Asia benefit from the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra rivers. Other rivers like the Godavari and Krishna also supply vital water for India's population. These rivers bring rich soil and water from the mountains, aiding farmers in growing crops for millions.