*Use the notes to answer the questions. 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. IMPACT OF MOUNTAINS: Himalayas: •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 Himalayas continued: •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. Tibetan Plateau: •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 DESERTS: Gobi Desert: •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. Taklimakan: •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. Taklimakan continued: •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. IMPACT OF WATER: Water: •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. •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. Huang He: •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. Yangtze: •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. Ganges: •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. Ganges continued: •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.