South Asia's physical landscape has been shaped by its geography. The Himalayan and Hindu Kush mountains form barriers to the north, while the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean surround it on three sides. The region is divided into three major regions - the northern mountains, northern plains, and Deccan plateau. The Himalayas and Hindu Kush mountains influence South Asia's climate and contain many of the region's major river systems like the Indus and Ganges.

1. South Asia Physical Landscape

4. South Asia Geography has helped South Asia develop separately from the rest of the world The Himalayan and Hindu Kush mountains form barriers to the north The Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean surround South Asia on 3 sides.

5. South Asia “The Indian Subcontinent” Another name for South Asia Subcontinent : a large landmass that is smaller than a continent

6. Major Regions of South Asia There are 3 major regions: Northern Mountains Northern Plains Deccan Plateau

7. Major Regions of South Asia Northern Mountains The Himalayas The Hindu Kush Northern Plains Deccan Plateau

8. Northern Mountains The Himalayas Create a wall that separates the Indian Subcontinent from the rest of Asia Contains some of the world’s tallest mountains Major Regions of South Asia Mount Everest

9. Major Regions of South Asia Northern Mountains The Hindu Kush Very high and rugged mountains Many of S. Asia’s major river systems begin here

10. Northern Plains From Pakistan to Bangladesh Densely populated Two major rivers flow through the Northern Plains Indus River Ganges River Major Regions of South Asia Northern Plains Deccan Plateau

11. Northern Plains Indus River The major river of Pakistan Many Pakistanis live near the river “Indus” means “river” Source of the name “India” Major Regions of South Asia

12. Major Regions of South Asia Northern Plains Ganges River Flows across India into Bangladesh It is the most holy river in South Asia “ Known as Ganga Ma —Mother Ganges—the river is revered as a goddess whose purity cleanses the sins of the faithful and aids the dead on their path toward heaven. According to Hindu mythology, the Ganges was once a river of heaven that flowed across the sky. Long ago, she agreed to fall to earth to aid a king named Bhagiratha, whose ancestors had been burned to ash by the angry gaze of an ascetic they had disturbed during meditation. Only the purifying waters of Ganges, flowing over their ashes, could free them from the earth and raise them up to live in peace in heaven.”

13. Northern Plains Ganges River Major Regions of South Asia

14. Northern Plains Thar Desert Covers and area the size of Colorado (100,000) Major Regions of South Asia

15. Deccan Plateau A region of high, flat land with many rivers Millions of tiny farms dot the landscape Major Regions of South Asia Northern Plains Deccan Plateau

16. Deccan Plateau The Eastern and Western Ghats Low-lying mountain ranges “ ghats” = passes Major Regions of South Asia

17. Resources and Climate Natural Resources Water (for irrigation) Mineral resources: iron ore, copper, coal Nuclear power Governments have supported its use over oil

18. Climate Climate and vegetation vary greatly In areas of heavy rainfall, tropical rainforests flourish Where there is little rain, there are deserts Monsoons : seasonal winds that control the lives of farmers in South Asia Resources and Climate

19. Rain shadow Mountains can create a rain shadow Resources and Climate Wet, windward Dry, leeward

20. Review Geography has separated South Asia Indian Subcontinent Three Major Regions of South Asia Northern Mountains Northern Plains Deccan Plateau Identifying on a map…

21. Himalayas Hindu Kush Indus River Ganges River Thar Desert Eastern Ghats Western Ghats

22. Resources Water, mineral resources Nuclear power Climate Varied Rain Shadows Review