India Geography Notes

What separates India from the rest of Asia?

Mountains in the north

How were the Himalaya and Hindu Kush mountains formed?

The Ando-Australian continental plate collided with the Eurasian plate pushing them through the surface

What are the two ways to get through the mountains?

Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass

What is the Khyber Pass used for?

Connects Pakistan with Afghanistan; most invasions of India used this pass

What is the Bolan Pass used for?

Used by Pakistan for travel and trade

What is India often called and why?

Subcontinent or Bharat because it is a massive, geographically isolated landmass

What are the eight nations on the Indian subcontinent?

India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives

What are the two parts of India?

Indo-Gangetic Plain and Deccan Plateau

What is the Indo-Gangetic Plain known for?

Popular for farming

What is the Deccan Plateau like?

Very dry and below the Vindhya mountains

What are the Ghats?

Series of mountain ranges along the edges of India

Where are the Western Ghats located?

West coast of India

Where are the Eastern Ghats located?

East coast of India

What are the three main rivers in India?

Indus River, Ganges River, Brahmaputra River

What civilization did the Indus River fuel?

Indus Valley Civilization

What is significant about the Ganges River?

Mother Ganga; 8% of the world lives around it

What does the Brahmaputra River create?

A huge fertile delta

What are the two monsoon seasons in India?

Summer Monsoon - rainy and hot season and Winter Monsoon - retreating / dry season

What are the positives of the monsoons?

Provides lifesaving and desperately needed water for agriculture, hydroelectric power, and drought relief

What are the negatives of the monsoons?

Destruction; Intense rainfall triggers flooding, landslides, disease outbreaks, and economic instability