The subcontinent of South Asia is separated from the rest of Asia by mountains, and forms a distinct landmass that includes India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives. South Asia contains some of the most varied landforms on Earth. In the north, the lofty Himalaya, Karakoram, and Hindu Kush ranges dominate the landscape. These mountain chains together create a formidable barrier between the region and the rest of Asia. In the past, invaders from the north could enter South Asia only through a few narrow passes. The mountain kingdoms of Nepal and Bhutan managed to remain isolated from the outside world well into the 20th century.
From the "abode of snows," as the Himalaya are called in Nepal, South Asia's landmass spreads southward in the form of a subcontinent. Within this upside-down triangular area are plains watered by three great river systems: the Indus, the Ganges, and the Brahmaputra. These waterways are the key to life in the region, providing alluvial soil, drinking water, transportation, and hydroelectric power. There are also arid deserts, vast plateaus, rugged hills, and eroded mountains. In addition, South Asia included islands, such as Sri Lanka and the Maldives, in the Indian Ocean. South Asia is touched by three bodies of water: the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Bay of Bengal.
Most of South Asia has tropical and subtropical climates with diverse vege3tation, including rainforests and savannas. Little vegetation can survive in the higher altitudes of the highlands, while in more temperate zones trees flourish. In the northern part of the subcontinent, the fertile soil of the Ganges River supports some of the planet's most densely populated areas. Farther south, the relatively arid Deccan Plateau holds fewer people, but well-watered coastal areas of southern India are densely populated. Dry climates are found along the lower Indus River and on the Deccan Plateaus. The region's largely tropical location makes it dependent on seasonal winds called monsoons, which determine the three seasons of the region. These seasonal wind patterns bring drenching rains that relieve the intense heat and nourish crops. Areas outside the path of the monsoons receive little or no rainfall. South Asia is vulnerable, however, to weather-related disasters, such as drought, flooding, and typhoons.
Although the region has petroleum reserves, South Asia relies n other energy sources and imported oil. South Asia's rich natural resources - iron ore, gemstones, and industrial minerals - have for centuries attracted outside conquerors, traders, and colonists. Today, the region's seven countries are working to balance environmental preservation with economic development.
With a population of more than 1.3 billion, South Asia is home to more than one-fifth of the world's people. India is the second most populated country after China. South Asia's population density is almost seven times the global average, with the population concentrating in areas where the climate, vegetation, and physical features are favorable. Most people live in rural areas, where life has changed little over hundreds of years. In recent years, however, growing numbers of South Asians have been migrating to urban areas for better jobs and wages. The region's cities have turned into population centers where modern buildings contrast with slums and temporary shelters.
South Asia was home to one of the world's earliest culture hearths, the Indus River valley civilization, in what is now Pakistan. During the centuries after Aryan invaders entered the subcontinent, a succession of Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms and empires developed in the region. Greek, Central Asian, and Islamic groups added to the cultural mix. The British became a major world power in the late 18th century, and through the early 20th century ruled or controlled most of South Asia. Independence came to the region's peoples after World War II, following years of work by Mohandas K. Gandhi and others to bring about self-rule. Religious and cultural differences eventually led to the creation of three countries - India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh - from the area that was once British India. Control of Kashmir, a largely Muslim region in the subcontinent's northwest, has been disputed between India, Pakistan, and China since the late 1940s. The region continues to experience border conflicts and ethnic and religious tensions.
Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism have their origins in this region. Some of the earlier settlers established a complex social structure that grew into the caste system. Their culture and religion developed into Hinduism. In India, where the ancient Hindu caste system still influences daily life, people commonly identify themselves by jati, or occupational groups, each with its own rules and customs. Buddhism, which rejects this rigid social system, is the second major religion in the region. Other religions, such as Islam and Christianity were brough to South Asia by migrants, missionaries, traders, and conquerors.
There are 19 major languages and hundreds of local dialects spoken in this region, most of which fall into the Indo-European language family. English is a common language, and Hindi is spoken by half of India's people as their primary language. Mumbai has developed the world's largest film industry. The literature, art, music, dance, and architecture of South Asia reflect the region's cultural diversity, and a variety of regional food sand other products have become known internationally. Tea, curies, spices, the practice of yoga, and textiles and patterns such as cashmere, calico, and paisley are just a few of South Asia's contributions to the world.
While high-technology and service industries have grown in recent years in the region, most South Asians still live a traditional lifestyle of subsistence farming. The stresses that large populations place on the environment are compounded in South Asia by the region's ethnic, religious, and political divisions and the wide gap between rich and poor. The challenge of feeding the region's enormous population has begun to be met through scientific breakthroughs such as the green revolution, which has raised food production and improved people's diets. Concerns remain, however, about pesticide runoff, genetically modified seeds, and the increased energy use demanded by advanced technology. Cash crops such as tea still take up a disproportionate share of the region's agricultural land.
Countries in Soth Asia, practice sustainable management to manage their resources, including wildlife and forests, for their large populations. Access to clean water is a persistent problem throughout South Asia. Scientists are studying the region to find solutions to the problems of air pollution and devastation by storms. Changing global weather patterns bring special challenges to South Asia, where delayed or torrential monsoon rains can cost hundreds of thousands of lives and cause widespread devastation. Rising ocean levels from global warming threaten island countries such as the Maldives and low-lying countries such as Bangladesh.
LEARNING:
Read Glencoe World Geography 569-579, 587-605, 611-625. It is a lot to read, so break it up over several days.
India and Pakistan’s Kashmir dispute
South Asia’s water issues
Video: Biggest cities in South Asia
ASSIGNMENTS:
Create a bar graph to compare the populations of at least six of the largest cities in South Asia. Make sure to label both the axes and title the graph. You can do this in excel or on paper.
MAPPING:
On a map, label the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean. Label each of the seven South Asian nationals and locate and label the capital city for each country.
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