south asia chapters 24-26. overview himalayas are part of south asia area includes seven countries:...
TRANSCRIPT
Overview
• Himalayas are part of South Asia• Area includes seven countries: India, Pakistan,
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives
• Area is referred to as a subcontinent: a large landmass that is smaller than a continent.
• ½ the size of the US but has more than 1 billion inhabitants-1/5 the world’s population.
Mountains
• Northern Mountains– The Himalayas were born from continents
breaking apart and then colliding• World’s highest mountains
– Mount Everest, world’s tallest peak, sits in the middle of the range.
– The Hindu Kush• Lie west of the Himalayas• Hosted fighting for centuries between tribes trying to
conquer India and Central Asian tribes.
Plateaus
• Southern Plateaus– The tectonic collisions also created many smaller
mountain ranges.– The Deccan plateau covers much of southern India
and is surrounded by mountains• The result is an arid climate
Rivers, Deltas, and Plains
• Three rivers of note: the Indus, the Ganges, and the Brahmaputra– All three empty in the Bay of Bengal
• Fertile Plains– Support life around Southern Asia, crucial for
irrigation– Carry rich soil called alluvial soil, from the mountains
to farmland– The plains are also the most heavily populated region
of South Asia
Offshore Islands
• Two island groups located in the Indian Ocean– Sri Lanka and the Maldives
• Sri Lanka– Large tear-shaped island– Lush, tropical land, very beautiful, small rivers and rugged
mountains• The Maldives– Archipelago- island group– Most islands are tops of submerged volcanoes surrounded
by coral and shallow lagoons.• Also known as an atoll
Natural Resources
• Abundant resources are stretched out due to extremely high population
• Water and Soil– Rivers that come from the mountains and bring
alluvial soil also bring irrigation– Good fishing and farming lands– Water provides transportation and hydroelectric
power to countries
Forests
• Many types of hardwood grow here– Sal, teak, bamboo, and sandalwood
• Deforestation is a severe problem– Causes soil erosion, flooding, landslides, and loss of wildlife – Forests are in bad shape in India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka
• Minerals– India is one of the world’s leading producer of iron ore– India supplies the most mica in the world
• Used in electrical equipment
– Sri Lanka produces rubies and sapphires
Climate
• South Asia has six climate zones– Semiarid- high temperatures and light rain • Includes the Thar Desert
– Tropical wet zone• High temperatures and heavy rainfall
– Holds world record for rainfall
– Highland zone• Coldest climate, includes Himalayas
– Humid Subtropical zone• Very warm
Monsoons and Cyclones
• Whole area is affected by monsoons-seasonal winds– Happens from June-September
• Winds bring in moist ocean air and heavy rain
– This rain is crucial to plant life but can cause flooding and landslides.
• Cyclones- violent storms with fierce and heavy rain– Most destructive in Bangladesh, a low-lying coastal
region– High waves can swamp large parts of the country
Vegetation Zones
• Tropical Wet zone– Contain the most forests, including rain forests
• Highland zone– Contains forests of pine, fir, and evergreens
• Humid subtropical zone– Contains forests of palms and other hardwoods
• Semiarid zone– Sparse vegetation
Life Along the Ganges
• The Ganges’ source is a glacier in the Himalayas.• It delivers water to 350 million people– Provides drinking water, farm irrigation, and
transportation• Viewed as sacred to the Hindu faith– Known as “Mother Ganges”– Brings life to its people– Worship the river as a goddess– Viewed to have healing powers
Life Along the Ganges
• Most sacred city along the Ganges is Varanasi– Pilgrims come from all over the world to bathe and drink the
water– They float baskets of flowers and burning candles down the
river • The river is very polluted– After centuries of intense human use, its in trouble– Millions of gallons of raw sewage and industrial waste flow
with dead animals and even dead human bodies– As a result, deadly toxins and bacteria live in the river
• Progress to clean the river has been slow
India
• Started in the Indus Valley– Started by the Aryans- a light skinned race– Europeans arrived in the 1500s looking to trade– Britain took over control, called the raj, for 90
years• Gandhi started peaceful resistance and it worked• Britain gave India their freedom• Pakistan and Bangladesh soon broke off from India• Violence between Hindu (India) and Muslims (Pakistan)
India
• India is the world’s largest democracy• They adopted a constitution in 1950• Their government reflects both American and
British governing systems.– Federation of states like the US– Parliamentary legislature like Britain
• Many different ethnicities, cultures, and lots of people has caused some problems but India is a fairly steady and peaceful democracy.
Life in India
• Family life is the center of Indian culture.– Most families follow arranged marriage ideals– Popular in more rural areas
• Indian cuisine is largely vegetarian, but some eat fish and chicken– Hindus and Muslims do not eat beef or pork
• Education is vital to the Indian economy and industry. – Literacy rates are high in most urban areas, except the
slums
Indian Culture
• The Indian constitution recognizes 18 different languages– Hindi is the official language, English is commonly
spoken in government and business• Hinduism– Roots began in the Aryan culture– Belief in many gods– Reincarnation- the rebirth of the soul after death– Karma- moral consequences of a person’s actions
• Helps determine reincarnation
Indian Culture
• The Caste system– Aryan system of separating social class– Still in use by Hindus today– Four basic castes:• Brahmans: priests and scholars• Kshatriyas: rulers and warriors• Vaisyas: farmers and merchants• Sudras: Artisans and laborers• Untouchables: Lowest of the low
– Officially disbanded by the constitution
Indian Culture
• Hindus believe you are born into a caste and you have a certain moral duty to uphold– Known as dharma– You can only move in between caste systems
through reincarnation• Brought social order to its people but also
caused segregation and discrimination
Pakistan and Bangladesh
• Both countries are considered young but with ancient histories.
• First civilizations came from Pakistan region– History similar to India
• Establish a civilization, Europe comes over to trade, Britain takes over, gain independence
• The war for independence caused a partition, or division of India.– West Pakistan (now Pakistan), India, and East Pakistan (now
Bangladesh)– The Pakistans shared religious ideals (Islam)
Struggling Economies• Pakistan and Bangladesh have rapid growing populations but their
economies rely heavily on agriculture• Subsistence Farming- growing enough crops to feed only their
families– Governments are trying to modernize farming methods – Climate plays role in low crop yields
• Neither country is highly industrious– Lack money to build business up
• Microcredit loans– Small loans given to people starting their own businesses. Many
entrepreneurs can be on one loan– Allows for smaller repayment plans– Growing business
Islamic Culture
• Both are Islamic nations but they differ– Pakistan follows stricter laws, including purdah-
the seclusion of women• Pakistan also has six different ethnic groups
that all speak their own languages– Urdu is their official language (chosen in order to
not favorite any one tribe)• Bangladesh has one major ethnicity-Bengal– Their language comes form ancient Sanskrit
Nepal and Bhutan
• Both are located in the Himalayas– Both are isolated due to their mountainous locations– Landlocked countries with no sea port
• Both governments are constitutional monarchies-kingdoms in which the ruler’s powers are limited by a constitution.
• Both governments are transitioning to democratic republics
• Both countries are limited in resources – Use terrace farming on small plots
Nepal and Bhutan
• Tourism is rapidly increasing– People want to climb the Himalayas– Tourism may be hurting the environment • People leave their trash on the mountains• Sherpas are the ethnic group that guides people up the
mountains
• Religion is a powerful force in this region.– Nepalese people are Hindu but Buddha was born
in Nepal
South Asian Issues
• Population Explosion– By 2045, India will have 1.5 billion people living in an
area 1/3 the size of the US– Can they provide enough food, shelter, clothing?– As populations in these countries rise, government
officials are having trouble providing services for all it people• Think of school alone!
– How do you manage this issue?• Smaller families• Education
South Asian Issues
• Weather-– Summer and Winter monsoons control climate and
planting schedules• Plant during end of wet season, harvest during cool
season, stay inside during hot season
– Monsoons are vital to the rainforests, crops, and soil– Cyclones cause tremendous devastation
• Known as hurricanes in US• If they are too strong, they will knock out crops, flood
lands, and kill people