Physical Geography - South Asia's Island Nations

The Maldives

Just north of the Equator in the Indian Ocean to the southwest of India lie the Maldives, a group of low-lying islands that consists of twenty-six atolls encompassing a territory of only about 115 square miles. Within the atolls are approximately 1,200 small islands, of which about two hundred are inhabited. The Maldives is a country with many extremes. It is Asia's smallest nation in both physical area and population. The average elevation—four feet, eleven inches above sea level—is the lowest in the world for any country. Its low elevation places the country in danger of flooding due to climate change. If polar ice continues to melt and cause sea levels to rise, it is likely that the country will no longer be inhabitable. Concerns over the future of the islands gave reason for the country's president to announce a plan in 2008 to purchase land in other countries in case sea levels rise to a point where the Maldives are no longer habitable. The administration of the Maldives has worked hard to lobby the international community to address the increase in greenhouse gas emissions and the possibility of an increase in sea level caused by the global warming aspect of climate change. Since tourism is the country's number one means of gaining wealth, the president's plan involved using money derived from the tourist industry to secure new lands for the country's citizens.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a beautiful island of white, sandy beaches and thick, forested hills. Rivers flow from its mountainous center outward to water the farm fields of rice and other crops. Cinnamon is native to the island and an important export. Coconuts, coffee, and tea are also important export products. The island is home to various national parks, four biosphere reserves, and several wild elephant herds. Sri Lanka has the potential to become a major tourist destination with high incomes and a hub for international trade.

Complete the review below.

South Asia Map Activity

Identify the following key places on a map:

Countries:

South Asia: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka
Landlocked Countries of South Asia: Bhutan and Nepal

Other Physical Locations to locate:

Provinces or States:

Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab

Bodies of Water:

Arabian Sea
Bay of Bengal
Indian Ocean

Cities:

Dahka
Islamabad
Kathmandu
Mumbai
New Delhi
Thimphu

Mountains:

Himalayas
Mt. Everest
Western Ghats
Eastern Ghats

Rivers:

Brahmaputra River
Ganges River
Indus River

Be sure to track the flow of the rivers through major cities. List the cities through which the rivers flow.

RESOURCES IN THIS MODULE ARE OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (OER) OR CREATED BY GAVS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. SOME IMAGES USED UNDER SUBSCRIPTION.