South Asia: Landforms and Resources

South Asia:

Mountains and Plateaus The most noticeable terrain feature of the subcontinent is the Himalaya Mountains.

Mountains and Plateaus

The most noticeable terrain feature of the subcontinent is the Himalaya Mountains.

The Himalayas were formed about 50 million years ago. Back when Pangaea broke apart, India would charging to the north and rammed into Asia.

The Himalayas were formed about 50 million years ago.

Back when Pangaea broke apart, India would charging to the north and rammed into Asia.

That’s one reason it’s sometimes called the subcontinent, because it’s like a continent in itself. When India hits Asia, the Indian plate subducts beneath the Eurasian plate, but the crust is forced upwards, producing the Himalayas, the world’s tallest mountain chain. In fact, the Himalayas are still growing at about 5 mm per year because the Indian plate is pushing in at about 67 mm per year.

That’s one reason it’s sometimes called the subcontinent, because it’s like a continent in itself.

When India hits Asia, the Indian plate subducts beneath the Eurasian plate, but the crust is forced upwards, producing the Himalayas, the world’s tallest mountain chain.

In fact, the Himalayas are still growing at about 5 mm per year because the Indian plate is pushing in at about 67 mm per year.

The Himalayas, of course, are where Mt. Everest is. It’s 29,035 feet high – that’s 5.5 miles.

The Himalayas, of course, are where Mt. Everest is.

Hindu Kush Mountains Along the western end of the Himalayas. Provide a barrier between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Hindu Kush Mountains

Along the western end of the Himalayas. Provide a barrier between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Former Taliban and possibly even Osama bin Laden hang out in the Hindu Kush.

Khyber Pass is here which is a traditional route of invasion for everybody from Alexander the Great to the British. At its narrowest, it’s just 15 yards wide.

Khyber Pass is here which is a traditional route of invasion for everybody from Alexander the Great to the British.

At its narrowest, it’s just 15 yards wide.

Khyber Pass, looking from Afghanistan to Pakistan

Other mountain ranges: Vindhya Western and Eastern Ghats The arid Deccan Plateau lies in the middle. It’s arid because the mountains block moisture.

Other mountain ranges:

Vindhya

Western and Eastern Ghats

The arid Deccan Plateau lies in the middle. It’s arid because the mountains block moisture.

Rivers, Deltas, and Plains South Asia has three main rivers: the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra. Indus Brahmaputra Ganges

Rivers, Deltas, and Plains

South Asia has three main rivers: the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra.

The rivers carry a great deal of alluvial soil (silt) that gets deposited on the alluvial plains and makes for an exceptionally fertile area. These plains support a massive population. Most of India’s 1 billion people live around here.

The rivers carry a great deal of alluvial soil (silt) that gets deposited on the alluvial plains and makes for an exceptionally fertile area.

These plains support a massive population. Most of India’s 1 billion people live around here.

Offshore Islands Sri Lanka Quite tropical, with a mountain chain in the center and rivers flowing from them. Sri Lanka is its own country and not part of India.

Offshore Islands

Sri Lanka

Quite tropical, with a mountain chain in the center and rivers flowing from them.

Sri Lanka is its own country and not part of India.

The Maldives A collection of 1,200 islands that make up an archipelago (a collection of islands). The islands are actually the tops of volcanoes surrounded by coral to make up smaller atolls. They’re short too. The highest point of the island country is 7.5 feet above sea level. The total land area is only 115 square miles, but has 400 miles of coastline. Of the 1,200 islands, only about 200 are inhabited.

The Maldives

A collection of 1,200 islands that make up an archipelago (a collection of islands).

The islands are actually the tops of volcanoes surrounded by coral to make up smaller atolls.

They’re short too. The highest point of the island country is 7.5 feet above sea level.

The total land area is only 115 square miles, but has 400 miles of coastline.

Of the 1,200 islands, only about 200 are inhabited.

A better look at the atolls.

A better look at the atolls.

Natural Resources There’s a lot that’s dependent on water and soil. Those rivers and their soil provide for a lot of irrigation and rich farmland. That makes for a lot of agriculture as well as river-based products like fish in addition to sea fishing. The navigable rivers and the coastlines are good for transportation.

Natural Resources

There’s a lot that’s dependent on water and soil.

Those rivers and their soil provide for a lot of irrigation and rich farmland.

That makes for a lot of agriculture as well as river-based products like fish in addition to sea fishing.

The navigable rivers and the coastlines are good for transportation.

Forests The timber industry is big. Rain forests produce sal, teak, bamboo, and sandalwood. Highland forests produce pine, fir, and others. Deforestation is a big problem, however.

Forests

The timber industry is big.

Rain forests produce sal, teak, bamboo, and sandalwood.

Highland forests produce pine, fir, and others.

Deforestation is a big problem, however.

Minerals Plenty of ‘em. Coal, iron, uranium, diamonds, rubies, sapphires.

Minerals

Plenty of ‘em.

Coal, iron, uranium, diamonds, rubies, sapphires.