ClimateClimate

South Asia (23.2)

Tropical ClimatesTropical Climates• Location:

–W & S India; Sri Lanka; E & S Bangladesh

• Vegetation:–TRF has wide variety (bamboo, mango,

& other unique types)–Sundarbans have lgst. mangrove

swamp (Bang.)

SundarbansSundarbans

Dark green area

Mangrove swamp

One of largest Bengal tiger reserves

Subtropical ClimatesSubtropical Climates• Location:

–N & E India, N Bangladesh, S Nepal & Bhutan (borders highlands)

• Vegetation:–Mostly mixed forests (dry and

tropical)

Highlands ClimatesHighlands Climates• Location:

–North (Himalaya & Karakoram)• Vegetation:

–Based on elevation • High- always has snow, little life• Mid- more temperate, mixed forests• Low- (foothills) grassland, bamboo

K2 (Pakistan & China)

Kangchenjunga (Nepal & India)

Sivalik Hills (Nepal & Pakistan)

Red panda (NE India, Himalayan foothills)

Dry ClimatesDry Climates• Location:

–Desert: Along Indus River (Pak); Great Indian Desert (Thar Desert)

–Steppe: Deccan Plateau• Vegetation:

–Scrub, low grasses–Deciduous forests

Camel caravan (India)Road in Pakistan

Johad- man made pond (water source

Tanks for drinking water

MonsoonsMonsoons• Cool season:

– Oct to Feb– Winds from N/NE (over

land)…ARIDITY• Hot season:

– Feb to June– Temps rise, wind

direction changes• Wet season:

– July to Sept– Winds from S/SW bring

ocean air…RAIN

Monsoon RainsMonsoon RainsRains come from S/SW

Sweep across G-B delta

Hit Himalaya & are blocked

Move west to Ganges Plain

Monsoon clouds over N India

Calcutta

Flooded paddies in Bangladesh

Slums in Karachi

Streets in New Delhi

Natural DisastersNatural Disasters• Constant hot temps:

–Good= year round growing season–Bad= higher evaporation/ dry out soil

• Monsoons:–Good= lots of rain to water crops–Bad= too much dry air, or too much rain

(flooding)• Cyclones:

–“Hurricane” in the Indian Ocean