South Asia Landforms and Resources

Himalaya Mountains

• The worlds tallest mountain 29,935 feet above sea level.

• The peak is known as Mt. Everest.

• Subcontinent - a large land mass that is smaller than a continent.

• Referred to as the Indian subcontinent, because it is mostly dominated by Indians.

• South Asia is half the size of the United States, and houses one billion inhabitants. One- fifth of the worlds population

• Alluvial Plains- lands that are rich farmlands, due to the river overflowing their banks and depositing soil.

• Atoll – islands that are the low-lying tops of submerged volcanoes

• South Asia is greatly affected by monsoons, seasonal winds.

• The dry winds blows bringing in moist ocean air. Heavy rainfall occurs especially in the southwestern portion.

• The monsoons are highly unpredictable, some areas get to much rain while others get to little.

Ocean Air Rising

• Cyclone- a violent storm with fierce winds and heavy rain. Cyclones cause the most damage to low-lying coastal regions where high waves can swamp large portions of the country.

• A severe cyclone can cause a large amount of damage and kill thousands of people.

Cyclone of 1970

• November 13, 1970 a violent tropical storm collided into Bangladesh. The cyclone’s winds, rains, and floods claimed an estimated 300,000 to 500,000 lives.

Human Environment Interaction

• Hinduism is the dominant religion of most Indians.

• Millions of Hindus gather together near the river Ganges and wait for the appointed moment were they will wade into the river and wash their sins away.

• Ganges river is important to the livelihood of Indians. It provided water for drinking, farming, and transportation.

• The Ganges is known in India as the Gangamai. Gangamai means Mother Ganges.

• Storm Surge- when high water flows across swamp low lying areas.

• Estuary- arm of the sea at the lower end of a river.

Chapter 25A Region of Contrasts

Early History

• Indian civilization began around 2500 B.C. in the Indus Valley which is now known as Pakistan.

• Thousands of years later the Aryans who are light-skinned people spread across northern India.

• Aryans culture plays a key role in the development of Indian civilization.

• The Aryan’s developed a kingdom on the Ganges Plain. They pushed out the darker-skinned native Indians called the Dravidians.

• Later Persian and Greek invaders occupied the Indus Valley. However they did not conquer the Aryan’s kingdom.

• Two great Indian empires eventually emerged on the lower Ganges.

• The Mauryan Empire united all of India and spread Buddhism throughout Asia.

• Soon new invaders began entering Central Asia and it was not long till the Muslims conquered the Indus valley and occupied the Ganges Plain.

1500’s the Mughal Empire was established. Muslims rule brought in new customs that conflicted with the native Hindus.

Religious, Art, society roles, etc..

Europeans Arrive

• European traders come to India looking for spices, cloth, and other goods that are not available in Europe.

• Britain gained control over India’s trade with Europe in 1757. In 1857 the British government fought off a revolt and gained direct control over India.

• This period of control was called raj, and lasted for 90 years.

• Indians did not welcome colonialism, the great Indian leader Mohandas Gandhi began a movement against colonizing.

• This movement was based on nonviolent resistance. Use of nonviolent acts to achieve goals.

• Britain eventually gave India it’s freedom on August 14, 1947.

World’s Largest Democracy

• India first prime minister was Jawaharlal Nehru, adopted the a constitution and became a democratic republic.

• India has a population of over one billion people and is the largest democracy in the world.

• India is a federation of states held together by a strong central government.

• Like Britain it is also a parliamentary democracy. The leader of the majority party becomes prime minister.

Economic Growth

• Government has adopted several policies to promote economic growth and raise standards of living, but change has been very slow.

• India has one of the largest economy but per capita income remains low. Half of India’s people live in poverty.

• 2/3 of India’s people rely on farming for their livelihood, most being very small and crop yields are low.

• One solution that is being considered is land reform.

• Land reform is a more balanced distribution of land among farmers.

• 1960 several people died of hunger, agricultural scientist introduced new farming techniques and higher- yielding grain.

• This program later became known as Green Revolution.

Daily Life• Most Indians follow the

custom of arranged marriages- where marriage partners are chosen by their families.

• Marriages are usually male dominated, and divorce is rare.

• Often many relatives from several generations live under one roof.

Caste System

• Caste system was the Aryan system of social classes. Still remains on of the cornerstones of Hinduism. Four major caste made up the original system.

• Over time these caste were further divided into smaller groups. Outside the system were the dalits, or the untouchables. Lowest status in society.

• Brahmans – priests and scholars

• Kshatriyas - rulers and warriors

• Vaisya – farmers and merchants

• Sudra - artisans and laborers

• Untouchables - Lowest statues in Indian society. Officially eliminated in the Indian constitution.

Hindu Beliefs

• Each person is born into a caste system and has a certain moral duty known as dharma.

• A person can move into a different caste system only through reincarnation.

• Other religions in the Indian life are Jainism, Christianity, Sikhism, and Buddhism which originated in northern India.

• Islam also has a strong cultural influence in certain parts of the country.

Pakistan and Bangladesh

• Both are very young countries with rapidly growing populations.

• Largest of the first world’s civilization’s arose in what is now Pakistan.

• The Indus Valley Civilization began around 2500 B.C.

• They had well planned cities, brick buildings and a sophisticated sanitation systems.

• The Aryans invaded around 1500 B.C. and ruled the area that included modern Pakistan and Bangladesh. The British were next to take control of the region.

• Both Pakistan and Bangladesh have had political struggles since independence, short period of electoral government followed by long periods of military rule.

• Pakistan also has fought several destructive wars with India over the territory Kashmir.

Kashmir

• Nepal and Bhutan are both constitutional monarchies.

• Constitutional monarchies are kingdoms in which the ruler’s powers are limited by a constitution.

• Bhutan still has a king who is the supreme ruler . • Nepal the king shares power with the elected

parliament.

• Both Nepal and Bhutan face difficult challenges including the need to balance the interest of their two powerful neighbors, China and India.

• As well as economically challenges.

Rich Cultural Traditions

• Various ethnic groups inhabit the Himalayan region.

• Majority of the people are the Indo-Nepalese Hindus.

• Among the ethnic groups are the Sherpas. The Sherpas are people from the high Himalayas are the usually mountain guides for Mt. Everest.

• Buddhism is the official religion of Bhutan. People practice a Tibetan style of Buddhism. This includes the use of Mandalas.

• Mandalas – is the geometric designs that are symbols of the universe and aid in meditations.

Arts and Recreation