GEOGRAPHY & PEOPLESINDIA– Lesson 1

OBJECTIVES

Identify key landforms and resources. Locate nations and key geographic

features on a map of South Asia. Explain how geographic features have

influenced where people live and contributed to the cultural diversity of the subcontinent.

WARM UP

What nations make up the subcontinent of South Asia?

India Pakistan (Afghanistan) Bangladesh Nepal Bhutan Sri Lanka

GEOGRAPHY “Indian”

Subcontinent 7th largest size 2nd in population

Asia to North Water - Set apart,

but connected to world

LANDFORMS Mountains:

Himalayas (Mt. Everest) Karakoram, Hindu Kush (Khyber

Pass)

Thar Desert

Rivers: Indus (Breadbasket), Ganges

(Holy), Brahmaputra

Deccan Plateau & Western Ghats

CLIMATE Ranges from tropical wet to

arid desert to glacier mts.

Monsoons – seasonal winds Winter – cool, dry air to sea Summer – blow from sea,

bring heavy rains, flooding

Variety plant & wildlife Poaching & conservation

NATURAL & ECONOMIC RESOURCES Agriculture central to

economy. Rice, Wheat, Grains Cotton, Silk, Jute Sugar Cane, Tea

Manufacturing Fabrics Chemicals Electrical goods

Iron Ore & Coal

HUMAN DIVERSITY Mostly rural, rapidly

growing populations

Ethnically diverse population. Hindu, Muslim,

Buddhist, Sikh, Christian

Food Influence = Mostly vegetarian!

700 + languages

ACTIVITY Map : Label nations Key cities Key

waterways Key

mountains / ranges

CLOSURE

Why do South Asians celebrate the arrival of the wet season?