S. Asia Title Page

538-539-Unit 8 Opener 10/16/02 11:30 AM Page 538
PREVIEW: TODAY’S
ISSUES IN SOUTH ASIA
UNIT ATLAS
Chapter 24
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
The Land Where
Continents
Collided
Chapter 25
HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
A Region of
Contrasts
Chapter 26
TODAY’S ISSUES
South Asia
TERRITORIAL
DISPUTE
PLACE The Taj Mahal, at Agra, India, is said to be one of the
world’s most beautiful buildings. Constructed of marble, it
was built in the 17th century by Emperor Shah Jahan as a
tomb for his wife.
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538-539-Unit 8 Opener 10/16/02 11:30 AM Page 539
LOCATION South Asia is mainly a triangular
peninsula that juts out from the Asian mainland
into the Indian Ocean.
REGION The seven countries of South Asia have
great cultural and religious diversity.
HUMAN-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION Life
in South Asia is greatly influenced by its varied
landforms and its extreme weather, especially the
seasonal monsoons.
For more information on South Asia . . .
RESEARCH LINKS
CLASSZONE.COM
SOUTH ASIA
REGION The world’s highest mountains, the
majestic snow-capped Himalayas, form the northern
border of the Indian subcontinent. Mt. Everest, to
the left, is the world’s tallest peak at 29,035 feet.
LOCATION Elephants wearing richly decorated cloth coverings
are central figures in the 14-night Esala Perahera festival in
Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is one of many religious festivals held
in South Asia.
South Asia 539