southern & eastern asia · • the vast continent of asia has many different mountain, desert,...

Southern &

Eastern Asia:

• The vast continent of Asia has many different

mountain, desert, and water features.

• Icy mountain ranges are located in the north, while

steamy rainforests lie in the south.

• A large part of Asia is desert, yet much of southern and

eastern Asia receives massive amounts of rain each

year.

• These features impact trade and affect where people

live.

Physical Features

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Southern and Eastern Asia’s Population Density

Impact of

• The Himalayas are a mountain range with some

of the tallest peaks in the entire world.

• They have a significant impact on life in

southwest China and northwest India.

• Hydroelectric power plants have been built on

glaciers throughout the range, which supplies

energy throughout the region.

• India is separated from the rest of Asia on three

sides by mountain ranges.

• On India’s side of the Himalayas, the high

mountains trap rain clouds, so rainforests and

grasslands can be found.

• The Chinese side of the icy Himalayas receives

very little rainfall and the population is much

lower here.

• The Tibetan Plateau covers the majority of western

China and is the world’s highest plateau at 14,800 feet

above sea level.

• Because of the region’s extremely high elevations, it

has been nicknamed “the roof of the world”.

• Many of Asia’s major rivers begin in the Tibetan

Plateau, and are fed by more than 30,000 glaciers that

are located here.

• In this region, summers are very short and

winters are long and extremely cold.

• During the few warmer months, farmers are able

to let livestock graze in the region’s grasslands.

• Overall, this region has a low population density

of only two persons per square mile.

Impact of

• The Gobi Desert is located in northern China

and is Asia’s largest desert.

• The region is extremely dry and the southern

portion of the desert is completely waterless.

• The Gobi is known for its extreme temperatures

with winter lows of -40°F and summer highs

above 120°F.

• Some mining is done in the Gobi Desert, but it is

not enough to support large cities.

• The small nomadic population of the Gobi

travels with its herds of small livestock looking

for oases.

• Inhabitants use camels to travel through the

desert.

• The unforgiving Taklimakan Desert is one of the

sandiest places in the world.

• It lacks adequate rainfall or other water sources.

• Like the Gobi, the Taklimakan Desert also has

extreme temperatures that vary across the

region.

• Oil has been discovered in the Taklimakan, but

shifting sand dunes make it nearly impossible

for people to get to work locations.

• Few people other than small nomadic groups

inhabit the region.

• The Taklimakan has oil, but shifting sand dunes

make it difficult to get to.

• Some mining in Gobi, but not enough to support

large towns

Impact of

• Many Asian countries have long coastlines and

millions of people live along the ocean.

• Southern and Eastern Asia have large port cities

where fishing, ship repair, and ship building are

important industries that provide numerous

jobs.

Colombo, Sri Lanka

• Millions of other people throughout Southern

and Eastern Asia live near rivers.

• These water sources provide them with water for

drinking and irrigating their crops.

• The Huang He River basin is located in northern China.

• This area is home to more than 100 million people.

• The Huang He River valley receives an abundance of

rainfall and the land is flat and fertile.

• The river allows ships to transport people and goods

throughout the region.

• The Yangtze River is China’s longest river and it

is located in southeast China.

• The Yangtze River basin receives significant

rainfall that flows into the river.

• Flooding of the Yangtze River keeps the region’s

soil fertile (25% of China’s farmland is located

here).

• The Yangtze River allows ships to transport

people and goods from around the world to

China’s inland cities.

• Many of China’s cities are located along the

Yangtze River.

• Shanghai, with a population of 22 million

people, is located here.

Shanghai and the Yangtze River

• The Ganges River starts on a glacier high in the

Himalayan Mountains and winds 1500 miles

through India and Bangladesh.

• It is the most highly populated river basin in the

world, with over 1,000 people per square mile.

• The river is considered sacred by the Hindu religion

and is worshipped as the goddess Ganga.

• The Ganges River is the most important river in the

Indian subcontinent.

• Indians use the Ganges for irrigation, drinking water,

fishing, and for manufacturing needs.

• Ships carry agricultural goods down the Ganges River.

• Delhi, one of India’s most populated cities with 11

million people, is located along the Ganges.

• Look at each of the features that will be shown on the screen.

Based on what you have learned, decide if the feature shown has

a high population density or a low one.

• Depending on the correct answer, hold up the Sign Language

symbol for H (high) or L (low).

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Himalayan Mountains

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LOW

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Ganges River

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HIGH

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Gobi Desert

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LOW

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Tibetan Plateau

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LOW

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Huang He River

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HIGH

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SE Asia’s Coastlines

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HIGH

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Taklimakan Desert

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LOW

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Yangtze River

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HIGH