Transcript alluvial plains

I. Landforms and Resources
A. Subcontinent
B. Mountains
C. River Systems
D. Islands
E. Resources
I can….
1. Explain how mountains and bodies of water have isolated the continent.
2. Describe the three great river systems
Terms
Indo-Gangetic Plain
Subcontinent
Khyber Pass
Alluvial Plains
Atolls
Subcontinent – a large landmass smaller than a continent
South Asia is sometimes called a subcontinent, more specifically the
Indian Subcontinent because India dominates the region. South Asia
is about half the size of the United States but has more than a billion
people living there. (One fifth of the World’s Population)
It is isolated because of the mountains to the north and water to the south. South
Asia is a peninsula. It extends south to the Indian Ocean, and is bordered by the
Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.
50 Million years ago South Asia was actually part of East Africa, when it split off and
drifted northward. It collided with Central Asia. The gradual collision of tectonic plates
forced the land upward into enormous mountain ranges. These ranges are still rising.
The Himalaya, the Karakoram, and the Hindu Kush form a mountainous barrier between
the subcontinent and the rest of Asia. Invaders, however, used crossing places, such as
the Khyber Pass, to enter the region.
The Himalayas are a system of parallel mountain ranges. They contain the
world’s highest mountains. Mt. Everest is the highest peak. They stretch
1500 miles and form a barrier between South Asia and China. These
mountains dominate the landlocked countries of Nepal & Bhutan.
The large low land the stretches across northern India and into Bangladesh is
known as the Indo-Gangetic Plain. It is formed by three great river systems: the
Indus, the Ganges, and the Brahmaputra. All of the rivers have origins in the
Himalayas. The Ganges and Brahmaputra eventually meet and form one huge
river.
When the rivers overflow their banks, they deposit this soil on alluvial plains,
lands that are rich farmlands. This area is densely populated.
Two island groups are also countries of South Asia – Sri Lanka and the
Maldives. Sri Lanka is a tear drop shaped island of rich tropical beauty that was
once was part of the subcontinent The Maldives is a chain of coral atolls and
volcanic outcroppings.
Atolls are low lying tops of submerged volcanoes, surrounded by coral reefs and
shallow lagoons.
Resources from the region include water, rich soil, timber, uranium (Nuclear), mica
(electrical equipment), Iron ore (steel), and other various minerals. Sri Lanka has
precious gems.
South Asia has some oil and natural gas reserves, but most of the region depends
largely on hydroelectricity, wood, coal, and imported oil as sources of fuel.
II. Climate and Vegetation
A. Climate
1. Dry
2. Highland
3. Tropical
B. Vegetation
C. Seasonal Weather
1. Monsoons
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3. Describe the climatic variations due to elevation and rainfall totals
Terms
Cyclones
Monsoons
Although much of the subcontinent lies south of the Tropic of Cancer
there is a wide variety of climate zones. Ranging from the Highland
Climate of the Himalayas to the Desert Climate of Southern Pakistan.
The mountainous Northern region has a
highland climate.
Dry climates, Of
Pakistan and
Western India,
produce the
Great Indian
Desert and the
surrounding
steppes.
The west coast of India, the
Ganges Delta, and southern
Sri Lanka have tropical rain
forest climates.
The Eastern Part
of the Region
experiences a
tropical savanna
climate, with wet
and dry seasons
and a humid
subtropical
climate
Vegetation varies from Conifers in the Highlands to harsh desert plants. In the
tropical part of this region lush rainforest of teak ebony and bamboo can be
found.
This region is greatly affected by monsoons (seasonal winds). Cyclones ( a
violent storm with fierce winds and heavy rains) also frequent this region,
and can be very destructive to the low lying costal region.
Meteorologists using modern technology are working to predict the annual monsoons.
Accuracy in predicting the monsoons will help people protect their property and lives
from storm damage.
Both the high temperatures of the hot season and the heavy rains of the wet season
have positive and negative effects. Extremely high temperatures and lack of rain can
dry out the soil, causing drought. Too much rain caused by monsoons brings floods
and results in great damage to land and property, as well as loss of human life.
III. Human Environment Interaction
A. Overusing the Land
B. Loving the Ganges too much
C. Tracking the Weather
I can…
4. Discuss how the people of South Asia have adapted to their environment
(seasonal weather patterns that present challenges)
Terms
Cyclones
Monsoons
South Asia combines high population density with fragile ecosystems.
Scientists are studying ways to combat South Asia’s severe air pollution problem
Much of South Asia’s population has limited access to clean water.
For example, 80 percent of India’s population has no access to sanitation
facilities. Under such conditions, untreated sewage pollutes water supplies that
people depend on for normal daily use.
Many Bengali people live on islands made of layers of silt floating on the surface of
coastal water. In heavy rains these layers break up, and people lose their homes,
their possessions, and even their lives. Studies of this erosion may lead to solutions
and help save lives.
The Feni a small river in Bangladesh is prone to flooding. Cyclones bring high
waters called storm surge, that rushes up the river onto flat coastal lands. The
solution to the problem was to build a dam but the river was a mile wide and the
country was poor. The country used man power and got help from Dutch
engineers. Bangladesh now has the largest estuary in South Asia.
To Hindus the Ganges River is not only an important water source but it is also a
sacred river. It is the home of the Hindu Goddess Ganga. Many temples and
sacred sites line the banks of the Ganges. Stone steps lead down to the water and
pilgrims from all over the world come to drink from and bathe in its water. At
Varanasi (one of the most sacred sites) there is a daily celebration held in the
waters of the Ganges as the sun rises.
After centuries of intense human use the Ganges has become polluted. Since
1986 the government has tried to reverse the damage however it still remains
a huge problem.