Chapter 25, Section 1 (Pages 628 633) The Economy Economic growth has occurred in different ways and at different rates in the countries of South Asia, but increased trade has helped the region s countries become more economically interdependent. Complete a web diagram like the one below by identifying obstacles new farming methods create for the people of South Asia. Obstacles Economic Activities (page 629) Think about tourism in South Asia. Ask yourself, how might increased tourism affect life in the region? Agriculture is South Asia s most common occupation. Many people practice subsistence farming and often rely on labor intensive methods. The availability of water is a constant concern. South Asian farms vary widely in size and appearance. Cash crops are grown for sale or export. Jute, a fiber used to make string, rope, and cloth, is a cash crop of Bangladesh. Rice is the major food crop of South Asia. Since the 1960s, the green revolution has sought to increase crop yields in developing countries by using carefully managed irrigation, fertilizers, and high-yielding crops. When enough petroleum is not available, people burn biomass plant materials and animal dung for energy. Mining and fishing are profitable in the region, with a potential for growth. India has industrialized much more quickly than Bhutan due to its connections with the West. The region s light industry grows out of its history of cottage industries, businesses that employ workers in their homes. Other industries include heavy industries, service industries, high technology, and tourism. Ecotourism that encourages responsible interaction with the environment contributes to South Asian economies. Chapter 25, Section 1 187
Transportation and Communications (page 632) Based on their physical geography and locations, why might Bhutan and Nepal do less trade with outside trading partners such as Europe? Transportation and communications in South Asia are varied and vital to the region s economies. Nepal has the least-developed transportation network in the region. Its mountain trails serve as its main trade routes. India has an extensive highway network and vast railway system. Bangladesh also has a railway system, and cars, buses, buffalo carts, and cycle rickshaws share its roads. Finally, in recent years, Pakistan and Bhutan have invested in the construction of highways. Except for Bhutan and Nepal, countries in the region have many seaports. Inland waterways in Bangladesh are used to transport domestic and foreign goods. Newspapers in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan are lively and outspoken, but the government of Bhutan restricts its media. Freedom of the press is limited in Nepal as well. India is the region s leader in Internet use, with more than 38 million subscribers in 2006. Trade and Interdependence (page 633) Why is India so important to the trade and economies of the other countries in the region? South Asian countries are struggling to become more interdependent, or reliant on one another, but political disputes have affected economic ties between the countries. Rapid economic growth in some countries may lessen political tensions. India is South Asia s largest economy and other countries in the region depend on India for the majority of their import and export trade. After overcoming distrust between Pakistan and India, the South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) was agreed upon in 2004 and went into effect in 2006. India has made its own free trade agreements with other countries in the region and is pursuing treaties with the European Union and Japan. Nepal is trying to reduce its reliance on India through trade agreements with numerous other countries. 188 Chapter 25, Section 1
Answer these questions to check your understanding of the entire section. 1. How does agriculture provide a living for most of South Asia s people? 2. Which countries in South Asia have a free press? Which part of South Asia would you most like to visit? Write a paragraph that describes why you think this is the best country for tourism and use specific examples to support your position. Chapter 25, Section 1 189
Guided Reading Activity 25-1 For use with textbook pages 628 633. The Economy Fill In the Blanks DIRECTIONS: Use the information in your textbook to fill in the blanks for the following sentences. 1. In South Asia wooden plows usually are pulled by water buffalo or. 2. In the Himalayan highlands, is a widespread farming method. 3. In much of South Asia, farmers work in flooded fields to grow. 4. exports of plantation crops have declined as other economic activities have increased. 5. India and Pakistan are major growers of. 6. In Bangladesh, is grown and used to make rope and string. 7. Despite increased agricultural, South Asia struggles to feed its people. 8. The green revolution introduced new and more productive of crops to South Asia. 9. Bangladesh has untapped wealth in the form of reserves. 10. Among the abundant fish and shellfish in South Asia are lobster,, and fish. 11. Industrialization in India began when it was a colony. 12. In an economic crisis led India toward major economic reforms. 13. and pashmina come from a rare breed of goats native to the Jamma and Kashmir region. 14. Banking and other industries are gaining ground in India. 15. The sector yields billions of dollars in income for India. 16. Tourism brings needed revenue into, which people visit to see the magnificent Himalaya Mountains. SECTION 25-1 43
V OCABULARY 25 A C T I V I T Y The Region Today: South Asia DIRECTIONS: Choose a word or phrase from the box to complete each sentence. Word Bank biomass jute green revolution cash crop cottage industry ecotourism 1. An agricultural product a country grows for sale or export is called a. 2., a fiber used to make string, rope, and cloth, is a cash crop. 3. In the 1960s, the set an example of multinational agricultural cooperation. CHAPTER 25 4. A is a business that employs workers within their homes. 5. encourages responsible interaction between humans and their environment. 6. Many people in South Asia rely on wood and animal dung, called, as their main energy source. DIRECTIONS: Match each description in the first column with the correct item in the second column. Write the letter of the answer in the blank at the left of each description. 7. using resources at a rate that does not deplete them 8. the illegal killing of protected animals 9. an Indian tree-hugger movement 10. the spreading development of atomic weapons 11. the lowest social caste A. Chipko B. Dalits C. nuclear proliferation D. poaching E. sustainable development 35
CHAPTER 25 REINFORCING SKILLS ACTIVITY Predicting Consequences Sound planning often requires an educated guess. When you make an educated guess, you are making a prediction based on the information you have. Study the responses to three challenges faced by countries in South Asia. Then predict consequences, using educated guesses. Practicing the Skill DIRECTIONS: The following table presents information about three challenges found in South Asia. Complete the table by predicting two possible consequences for each response. Challenge Response Possible Possible Consequence Consequence 1. South Asia More productive needs to feed varieties of rice its ever-growing are introduced, but population. they require modern technology to be successful. CHAPTER 25 2. Deforestation, Countries create overhunting, wildlife reserves to and irrigation save endangered endanger many animals. animals. 3. Many farmers in Dams are built to Bangladesh have control floods. lost their farms to flooding from rivers. 39
RETEACHING ACTIVITY 25 Organizing Information DIRECTIONS: Read the Fact Bank statements about the economy of South Asia. Then write the letter of each statement in the correct category box below. Fact Bank CHAPTER 25 A. The Indian government provides health care and education to its people. B. Bhutan s mountains make mineral extraction difficult. C. After independence, many industries were run by the Indian government. D. Most people in South Asia practice subsistence farming. E. The service industry became increasingly important in the 1990s. F. Fruit is grown in Pakistan, jute in Bangladesh. G. India is the world s second-largest exporter of software. H. Sri Lanka has tea, rubber, and coconut plantations. 8. Farming 11. Industry I. Traditional fishers face competition from large oceangoing fisheries. J. In the Himalayan highlands, farmers terrace steep slopes. K. Textiles have provided incomes for hundreds of years. L. Wholesale and retail trade are important in India. M. India has iron ore, coal, bauxite, and copper reserves. N. Bhutan has coal, lead, marble, zinc, and copper. O. Service industries include transportation, real estate, tourism, and banking. P. Pakistan and India have petroleum reserves. Q. During the green revolution, scientists developed new varieties of rice. 9. High-Tech South Asian Economy R. Shipbreakers recycle iron and steel. S. Bangladesh produces shrimp and frogs legs. T. Indian computer professionals are in high demand worldwide. U. Water for crops is sometimes carried by hand for miles. V. Sri Lanka and Pakistan export fish, shrimp, and lobsters. W. Drought can destroy a family s food source. X. People make furniture, cloth, and jewelry in their homes. Y. Industrialization in India began under British rule. Z. Rice is the major food crop of South Asia. 10. Mining and Fishing 12. Service 38
RETEACHING ACTIVITY 25 The Region Today: South Asia Terms and Concepts DIRECTIONS: Match each term from Chapter 25 with the correct definition. 1. Tamils 2. Chipko 3. sustainable development 4. soil erosion 5. biomass 6. Kashmir Working with Geography a. balancing economic growth with environmental policy b. wood and other burnable vegetation c. disputed area between Pakistan and India d. result of slash-and-burn farming and timber harvesting e. people in conflict with the Sinhalese in Sri Lanka f. movement known for its reforestation projects DIRECTIONS: You are a South Asian delegate to the United Nations. You have been asked to give a speech about the relationship between Pakistan and India, including the situation in Kashmir. Write a draft of the speech on a sheet of paper. Explain the history of the situation, describe the situation as it stands today, and tell your concerns and hopes for the future. CHAPTER 25 7. Taking Notes (continued) 37