GEOG101: World Regional Geography

8a. Describe the physical geography of South Asia, including processes associated with natural hazards and groundwater resources

• What is the topographic relief of South Asia?
• How does precipitation vary across South Asia?
• What water features connect the Himalayas to the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal?
• Why are human populations so vulnerable to the effects of monsoonal precipitation?
• Why are the results of monsoonal precipitation more devastating when there has been a drought?
  

The topographic relief and variation in precipitation of South Asia are dramatic. The topographic relief of South Asia is the difference between Mount Everest, the highest elevation at 29,029 feet, and Maldives, the lowest elevation at less than one foot, in the region. Mount Everest is the highest point on Earth, and the Maldives is the country with the world's lowest elevation.
 
The variation in precipitation in South Asia is also dramatic, with deserts in India and Pakistan and monsoon conditions in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. The two rainiest places on Earth are both in India along the northeast border of Bangladesh, the country with the tenth-highest average annual precipitation. The dramatic nature of this realm includes hazards in the form of earthquakes and flooding.
 
In addition to its topographic and precipitation superlatives, South Asia also has some of the world's most famous rivers. The Indus River rises in the Himalayas and empties into the Arabian Sea near Karachi, Pakistan, and has been a center of human civilization for thousands of years. The Indus River is sacred to Hindus.
 
The Ganges River also rises in the Himalayas and empties into the Bay of Bengal. It is the third largest river in the world, after the Amazon and Congo Rivers, in terms of discharge. The Ganges is the most sacred river to the Hindus. In addition to their religious importance, these rivers are vital to the physical survival of Pakistanis, Indians, and Bangladeshis.
 
Monsoons are seasonal winds that cause heavy rain in the summer but leave the landmass dry in the winter. In the realm of South Asia, when the ITCZ migrates north in the summer, moisture-laden air from the Indian Ocean is drawn to the warmer landmass. Thus, these monsoonal winds bring torrential rains in the summer. When the ITCZ migrates south in the winter, the winds reverse and blow from the cooler landmass to the warmer ocean.
 
Because humans tend to live along rivers to access water and fertile soil, they are vulnerable when the rivers flood. Every year, monsoonal rains and the ensuing floods displace people, destroy infrastructure, and increase the prevalence of waterborne diseases. If drought conditions precede the rainfall, flooding occurs sooner because the rain runs off the dry, crusty surface directly into streams and rivers. When soils are dry, it takes longer for water to infiltrate the surface.
 
To review, see South Asia's Physical Landscape, Physical Geography of South Asia, Monsoon Rains and Clean Water in Pakistan, and The Maldives: Rising Seas and Coastal Development.
 

8b. Describe the patterns of human settlement in South Asia and the challenges associated with rapid population growth and urbanization

• Describe major patterns of human settlement in South Asia.
• What is the environmental impact of the population on Nepal's physical landscape?
• How has population growth contributed to the environmental issues that confront Pakistan and Bangladesh?
  

The earliest human settlers came to South Asia nearly 75,000 years ago. By 3,300 BCE, the first urban civilizations developed around the Indus River and relied on the monsoon rains to water their agricultural fields. After the Indus civilization, Aryans from Persia brought Sanskrit, and the foundations of the caste system and Hinduism settled in northern India. A series of empires – including the Maurya Empire, the Islamic Empire, the Mughal Empire, and finally, the British Empire – later occupied South Asia.
 
Today, high population growth is straining the resources of South Asia. From water to education, there is not enough to meet the needs of the people. The population density, the number of people per square mile, of these countries is staggering, and many people live in overcrowded conditions. The physiologic density, the number of people per square mile of arable land, of these countries is even higher.
 
The peripheral countries and buffer states of South Asia face a variety of environmental challenges. For example, Nepal's increasing population is straining its natural resources. Deforestation and soil erosion are on the rise as land is cleared for agricultural production to accommodate the growing population. Nepal also suffers from the environmental damage tourists cause at its many natural and cultural attractions.
 
Pakistan's and Bangladesh's resources are being depleted as their populations continue to grow. As two of the most densely populated countries in the world, arable land in Pakistan and Bangladesh is at a premium. Deforestation is widespread to clear land for crops and housing. Drinkable freshwater is another valuable resource that is increasingly scarce as the population grows.
 
Population growth also strains the existing water distribution and sewage infrastructure resulting in the discharge of pollutants into waterways. The summer rains brought by monsoons exacerbate the problem because water levels rise and rivers overflow their banks, carrying sewage and other pollutants into drinking water supplies. Waterborne diseases increase, and ecosystems are contaminated.
 
To review, see Patterns of Human Settlement in South Asia, South Asia's Population Dynamics, Challenges and Opportunities in South Asia, Geography of South Asia Modern Issues, Population Pyramids Help Predict the Future, and Population Pyramid for Bhutan.
 

8c. Explain how Britain's colonization of South Asia affected the evolution of the region's borders

• Why did the British Empire withdraw from South Asia in 1947?
• Describe how the British partition of India resulted in the sovereign states of Bangladesh and Pakistan.
• What evidence exists for the British Empire's influence on daily life in India and Pakistan?
  

The British Empire colonized most of South Asia during the 19th century. Through the trade activities of the British East India Company, Britain began establishing colonies in 1857. By 1947, the British Empire was no longer able to maintain control due to local resistance and the effects of its involvement in World War II – rebuilding Great Britain required substantial resources at home. As the British withdrew, they partitioned British India into India and Pakistan based on religious differences.
 
Following partition, India would accommodate the Hindu population, while Pakistan was designated for the Muslim population. Pakistan was divided into West and East Pakistan, but these areas were physically separated by 1,000 miles of Indian expanse and had many cultural differences.

Map of the Partition of India (1947)

When the partition occurred, many Hindus were left in Pakistan, and many Muslims were left in India. War broke out when the newly formed governments of Pakistan and India were unable to manage the mass migration of people attempting to reach their country of choice. Relations between West and East Pakistan were strained from the outset because their cultural differences exceeded the similarity of a shared religion (Islam). War eventually broke out between the two, resulting in a new sovereign state. The western portion of Pakistan remained Pakistan, while the eastern portion became Bangladesh.
 
In addition to creating the political boundaries of South Asia, English is one of the two official languages in Pakistan (Urdu and English) and India (Hindi and English). English is not an official language in Bangladesh, although it remains a lingua franca.
 
To review, see Patterns of Human Settlement in South Asia, Geography and Origins of Culture in South Asia, East versus West – the Myths that Mystify, Britain's Indian Empire, and The Partition of India (1947).
 

8d. Explain why Buddhism and Hinduism are tied to South Asia and how these religious ties have affected it

• What are some of the similarities and differences between Hinduism and Buddhism?
• How do the geographic branches of Buddhism vary?
• Which of the religions practiced in South Asia originated there?
• Where is Islam the dominant religion in South Asia?
  

The dominant religions in South Asia are Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam. Buddhism presides in Bhutan and Sri Lanka. Hinduism is prevalent in India and Nepal. Islam governs Bangladesh, Maldives, and Pakistan. Of these, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism originated in South Asia.
 
Hinduism and Buddhism originated in northern India and are the world's third- and fourth-largest religions. The population has practiced Hinduism in some form for more than 4,000 years, whereas Buddhism originated about 2,500 years ago. Hindus and Buddhists use some of the same basic vocabularies and have some similarities in terms of symbolism and practices. There are, of course, substantial differences. Below are a few examples.

• Hindus do not have a single founder.
• Buddhists renounce the caste system.
• Hindus worship deities and have the concept of a soul, but Buddhists do not.
• Buddhists do not recognize a God. Instead, they show reverence and devotion to the Buddha.
  

As Buddhism spread from northern India, different variations developed according to geography, what teachings were followed, and how monks were ordained, among other factors. The northern branch, Vajrayana Buddhism, is often called Tibetan Buddhism. The southern branch, Theravada Buddhism, is sometimes called Southern Buddhism. The eastern branch, Mahayana Buddhism, is often referred to as East Asian Buddhism. Regardless of the focus of each branch, all hold to the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path taught by the Buddha.
 
To review, see Patterns of Human Settlement in South Asia, Cultural Groups in South Asia, Geography and Origins of Culture in South Asia, and East versus West – the Myths that Mystify.
 

8e. Identify the reasons for ethnic and religious conflict in South Asia and barriers that have impeded economic development

• What role did partition play in the ethnic conflicts of South Asia?
• How have religious conflicts caused government instability in India and Sri Lanka?
  

South Asia has diverse cultures, ethnic landscapes, and religious beliefs. Some of the longest-lasting ethnic and religious conflicts in the region resulted from the British partition. This is especially true in border states of India, such as Jammu and Kashmir, where the government is primarily Hindu, but the population is 75 percent Muslim.
 
The British division of East and West Pakistan into two countries provides another example. Although separated by 1,000 miles, West Pakistan initially governed the western and eastern regions of the country. Although they share the religion of Islam, the cultural differences were too significant to overcome. The people living in East Pakistan felt ignored by West Pakistan.
 
The population of East Pakistan was predominantly Bengali – they speak the Bengali language, and we designate them as the people of the region around the Bay of Bengal. The administration in West Pakistan chose Urdu as the national language, a move that further alienated East Pakistan. Mass protests and violence led Bangladesh to form its own country in March 1971.
 
The various religions of India – Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, Christianity, and indigenous belief systems – have not coexisted peacefully. Although India is officially secular, most people have some attachment to religion, and religious conflicts continue to occur throughout the region.
 
In Sri Lanka, the majority Buddhist population has shaken its traditional peaceful image due to violent conflict between the minority Tamils and Muslims. Despite ethnic and religious turmoil throughout the 20th century, government and community leaders throughout South Asia have embraced new models of economic development and cooperation in the hope of reducing poverty and conflict in the region.
 
To review, see Patterns of Human Settlement in South Asia, Cultural Groups in South Asia, Geography and Origins of Culture in South Asia, South Asia's Population Dynamics, Challenges and Opportunities in South Asia, Geography of South Asia Modern Issues, Many Faces of Inequality in India, and How Can We Create Happy Societies?.
 

Unit 8 Vocabulary

This vocabulary list includes terms listed above that students need to know to successfully complete the final exam for the course.

• Aryans
• Bangladesh
• Bay of Bengal
• Bengali
• Buddhism
• buffer state
• caste system
• deforestation
• Four Noble Truths
• Ganges River
• Himalayas
• Hindi
• Hinduism
• India
• Indus civilization
• Indus River
• lingua franca
• monsoon
• Mount Everest
• Pakistan
• partition
• Sri Lanka
• Urdu
• Vajrayana Buddhism