Asia: Physical Geography

SSWG5 The student will describe the interaction of

physical and human systems that have shaped
contemporary South Asia, Southeastern Asia, and
Eastern Asia.
a. Describe the location of major physical features and
their impact on the regions of Asia.
 Dividing the Region
South Asia (Indian Peninsula)
– India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc.
East Asia
– China, Taiwan, Japan, North and South
Korea
Southeast Asia
– Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, etc.
 South Asia
Subcontinent-South Asia is separated
from the rest of Asia by mountain
ranges-like a continent, only smaller
Surrounded by 3 bodies of water-
Arabia Sea, Indian Ocean and the Bay
of Bengal
75% of the landmass in the country of
India
 South Asia: Mountains
The Himalayas
– Formed 60 million years ago-1,500 miles
long
– Mount Everest-world’s highest peak-29,028
feet high
– Rooftop of the world
Hindu Kush
– Kept central Asian tribes from invading
India
 South Asia: Rivers
3 great river systems begin in the
Himalayas
– Indus-flows mostly through Pakistan and
empties into the Arabia Sea
– Brahmaputra and Ganges-flow east into the
Bay of Bengal
Rivers support life in the region
Ganges River is sacred for Hindus
The Indo-Gangetic Plain is the most
heavily populated part of South Asia
– 3/5 of India’s population
Home to the world’s 14 highest peaks including Mount
Everest!!
 South Asia: Climate
Half of the world’s climate zones are found in
South Asia
Monsoons
– October-February, dry winds blow across South
Asia from the northeast
– June-September, the winds blow in from the
southwest bringing moist ocean air and heavy
rainfall
Monsoons are both devastating and beneficial
to life in South Asia
East Asia: Mountains, Plateaus, &
Deserts
Mountains kept China isolated from
other parts of Asia
– Himalayas, Altai and Kunlun Mountains
Plateaus, basins and deserts in western
China make the area sparsely populated
Gobi Desert
– One of the largest in the world
– Larger than Texas and California combined
 East Asia
Major Rivers of China
– Huang He (Yellow River)
Called the Yellow River because of its yellow silt
Also called “china’s sorrow” because of the
terrible floods it has caused
– Chang Jiang (Yangtze River)
Longest river in all of Asia
Serves as a major trade route
Also floods causing a lot of damage
 East Asia
Islands and Peninsulas:
Korean Peninsula contains the countries
of North and South Korea
Japan is an island nation on an
archipelago
– Many volcanoes and experiences
earthquakes
 Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia consists of 2 parts:
– Mainland: Indochinese and Malay Peninsulas
– Islands (archipelagos)
Many of Southeast Asia’s mountains are
of volcanic origin.
– Part of the Ring of Fire
The region is also plagued by monsoons
 Archipelagoes
Indonesia: 13,000 Philippines: 7,100
islands islands
 Tsunamis
Nations in East Asia and Southeast Asia
experience the effects of tsunamis
Earthquakes and other tectonic
movement can cause huge waves called
tsunami
Tsunami waves can travel at hundreds
of miles an hour and rise up to 100 feet
or more in height