Social Studies Book 9_2078 Revised and Updated Edition

The longitudinal distance between Kathmandu and Karachi is: 85° – 40° = 45°. Now, To cover 1° longitude, the earth takes 4 minutes. So, the time difference between Kathmandu and Karachi is 45 x 4 minutes i.e. 3 hours. As Kathmandu lies to the east of Karachi, its time is faster than the time of Karachi. So, when it is 2 pm in Karachi, the time in Kathmandu is 2 pm + 3 hours = 5 pm. At 180° longitude of both Eastern and Western hemisphere, the time difference from the Prime Meridian is 12 hours and from each other is 24 hours. So, an imaginary line has been drawn where the 180° Eastern longitude and 180° Western longitude meet each other. It is called International Date Line. It changes the day and date. From the International Date Line, towards the Eastern hemisphere is 1 day faster than towards the Western hemisphere. The International Date Line is not perfectly straight. If it remains straight and crosses any one of the countries, then there will be 24 hours time difference within the same country which will be impractical and inconvenient. Therefore, this line has been made irregular to avoid the crossing of the land and complication in time relation. Local Time and Standard Time The time of a particular region calculated on the basis of longitude of that region and Prime Meridian is called local time. There are 8 lines of longitude in Nepal. Each of them has its own local time. The Sun rises in Ilam about half an hour earlier than in Kanchanpur. It is an example of local time. The time calculated on the basis of fixed standard meridian International Date Line and Prime Meridian is called standard time. For the convenience in calculating time of all the places, a country adopts one or more standard longitude. On the basis of that standard longitude, the time of the country or region is determined. Standard time is the official time of the country or region. The local time calculated on the basis of Gaurishankar Himal with its longitude of 86°15'E is adopted all over Nepal as the standard time. So, 86°15'E longitude is the standard meridian of Nepal. Because of the great longitudinal extension, the countries 151 like Russia, Canada and the USA have adopted more than one standard time. The USA has adopted 5 standard times and Russia has adopted more than 11 standard times. The Our Earth

152 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 9 Standard Time Zone of the World

local time of London is called the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and it is the standard time of the world. Things to remember in order to Gauri Shankar calculate difference in time and longitude. Degree: 1° = 60' (minutes), 1' (minute) = 60'' (seconds) Time: 1 hour = 60 minutes, 1 minute = 60 seconds The time between midnight Latitudes and Longitudes of Nepal to noon is a.m. (ante meridiem) and time between noon to midnight is p.m. (post meridiem) If both places are to the East or West of Prime Meridian, subtract the longitude to find out the longitudinal distance. If one place is in the East and other is in the West of Prime Meridian, add the longitude to find out the longitudinal distance. As 24 hours make a day, the time of the day is counted on the basis of hours. Like, 2 pm is 14:00 hrs. 9 pm is 21:00 hrs. If the time of East has to be calculated, the difference has to be added with the given time. On the contrary, if the time of the West has to be calculated, the difference has to be subtracted from the given time because the time of East is faster than that of West. For example, What will be the time of Chicago located at 88°W longitude, when it is 10:44 pm at Kolkata at 88°E longitude? 88° W 0°E 88° E West East Chicago Kolkata Time: ? Time: 10:44 pm The longitudinal distance between Chicago and Kolkata is: 88° + 88° = 176°. Now, To cover 1° longitude, the earth takes 4 minutes. So, the time difference between Kathmandu and Karachi is 176 x 4 minutes = 704 minutes = 11 hours 44 minutes. As Chicago lies to the west of Kolkata, its time is behind than the time of Kolkata. So, when it is 10:44 pm in Kolkota, the time in Chicago is 10:44 pm (22:44 hours) – 11:44 hours = 11:00 hours or 11 am. Our Earth 153

KEY TERMS Convenience : something providing ease or comfort Hemisphere : one half of the Earth, especially a half North or South of the equator or West or East of the prime meridian Meridian : an imaginary line between the North and South poles that crosses the equator at right angles Evaluation Exercises Activities 1. Do you have to adjust your watch once you reach Hong Kong East of Kathmandu or Karachi West of Kathmandu? Discuss with your friends. 2. Trace a map of the world on a paper and show different time zones of the world by drawing lines from North to South. Exercise Short answer questions: 1. Write short introduction to the followings: a. Longitude b. Prime Meridian c. International Date Line d. GMT 2. Differentiate between local time and standard time with examples. 3. What is the relationship between time and longitude? What are the things to be considered while calculating local time on the basis of longitude of a place? 4. Give reasons for the following statements: a. The countries like the USA and Russia have adopted more than one standard time. b. International Date Line is irregular in shape. c. The Sun rises in Ilam about half an hour earlier than in Kanchanpur. d. The Sun rises in the East and sets in the West. 5. Answer the following questions each in a single sentence: a. How long does the earth take to cover 1° longitude? b. Why should we make the clock advanced when we go to Japan from Nepal? c. How many degrees of longitudes are there in total? d. From which longitude, Nepal’s standard time has been determined? 154 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 9

6. What will be the time in Japan located at 135°E longitude when it is 12 noon in India located at 75°E longitude? 7. What will be the time of New York at 75°W longitude, when it is 3 pm in Madras at 80°E longitude? 8. If it is 4 pm in Delhi at 75°E longitude and 6 pm in Singapore. Find the longitude of Singapore. 9. It is 6 am in a city ‘A’ at 90°W longitude. What is the time in city ‘B’ at 60°E longitude? 10. Calculate the time in Moscow located at 40°E longitude when it is 3 pm in Bangkok located at 100°E longitude. Long answer question: 1. Use the given map and calculate the time of places located at 135°E, 90°E, 0°, 45°W, 90°W, 135°W and 180°W longitudes when it is 1 pm at 45°E longitude. (Clue: 15° difference in longitude = 1hr difference in time) Project Work Prepare a model of globe to show the longitudes with Prime Meridian and the International Date Line. Draw the longitudes in every 15° interval. Our Earth 155

2Lesson PHYSICAL FEATURES OF NEPAL Introduction Nepal is an Asian landlocked country. It is located in the Southern lap of Himalayas. It lies between 26°22' North to 30°27' North latitude and 80°4' East to 88°12' East longitude. It is bordered by China in the North and India in the South, East and West. Nepal extends for about 885 km East-West along its Himalayan axis and about 193 km North-South. N CHINA LEGEND NEPAL INDIA Mountain Hill Physical Map of Nepal Terai About 83% of its total land is covered by hills and mountains. Within a distance of about 200 km, the altitude varies from 60 meters from the sea level to the highest peak of the world, Mt. Everest with a height of 8,848 meters above sea level. Nepal has tremendous geographical diversity within a short distance of North to South. It ranges from plains in the South to hills and mountains towards the North. This diversity in landform is unique and one of the characteristics of Nepal. This diversity has created a great diversity in terms of climate, vegetation, wildlife, human activities, etc. Nine types of climates and almost all types of natural vegetations are found here. On the basis of physical features, Nepal is divided into three geographical regions. 1. The Terai Region The Southern region extending from Mechi to Mahakali with the width of 25 to 32 km is known as Terai region. The Terai region borders India. It occupies about 17% of the total 156 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 9

land of Nepal. The average altitude of this region is 60 m to 600 m above sea level. The hilly range towards the North from the Terai region is called Chure range and the other high hills after Chure locating towards the North are called Mahabharat range. The Terai region is further divided into Inner Terai and Outer Terai. The Outer Terai starts from the Southern border of the country and extends up to the foothills of Siwalik or Chure hills. Terai Region Between the Chure hills and Mahabharat range, there are dun valleys called the Inner Terai. Dang, Chitwan, Makwanpur, Sindhuli and Udayapur are the districts of Nepal falling in Inner Terai. Terai region is formed by the alluvial soil deposited by the rivers flowing from the North. Thus, most of the food crops and cash crops are produced here. The Terai region is also known as ‘Granary of Nepal’. It is highly populated region with the availability of infrastructures like transportation, irrigation and so on. Evergreen forest is found in this region. 2. The Hilly Region The region situated to the North of Terai with an altitude ranging from 600 m to 3,300 m above sea level is known as the Hilly region. This region too extends from Mechi in the East to Mahakali in the West. The Hilly region occupies about 68% of the total area of Nepal. There are two hilly ranges in this region. The hilly range towards the South of Inner Terai Hilly Region with the height upto 1,500 m is called Chure range and the hilly ranges towards the North of Inner Terai is called Mahabharat range. The width of this region is found from 80 km to 130 km. Many perennial rivers originating from the Himalayas have made fertile river basins in this region. There are fertile valleys too formed by the rivers. Kathmandu and Pokhara are the two important valleys of this region. Deciduous forest is found in its Southern part and coniferous forest in its Northern part. Our Earth 157

3. The Mountain Region The mountain region lies to the North of hilly region ranging from 3,300 m to 8,848 m. The snowline is at 5,000 m and the region above this height remains snow covered and below this snowline snow remains only in winter. This snow capped mountain peaks feed the perennial rivers that drench the Mountain Region land all across the country. There are high mountains and some high mountainous valleys to its North such as Manang, Mustang and Dolpo. They are also called Bhot. The human settlement of this region is mainly centered in these valleys. The mountain region has occupied about 15% of the total area of Nepal. Mainly alpine forest and grasslands are found in this region. Formation Process According to the geologists, there was geosynclinal sea between Angara land (Mid Siberia) and Gondwanaland (Southern India) about 70 million years ago at the beginning of Tertiary period. It was called Tethys Sea. Because of the formation of rocks from the deposition of eroded materials like stone, sand, soil, weeds, etc by the rivers of North and South, there formed various sedimentary rocks. During the middle of the Tertiary period, Tectonic force came towards the South from the North. When this force was blocked by the Deccan, Indian steady landmass, the rocks formed at the bottom of the sea rose up and the greater Himalayas was formed. After some periods, same type of another force came surging and caused the origin of Mahabharat range. Various valleys, basins, mountain passes also formed at the same time. This has caused great variation in Nepal’s physical features. During the last of Tertiary period, another force came out and caused the formation of Chure range towards the North of Tethys Sea. There was a deposition of rough materials like stone, sand and pebbles. So, it is not that much tight like Himalaya and Mahabharat range. 158 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 9

Even after the formation of all of the three Himalayas Tibetan plateau Himalayan, Mahabharat and Chure range, some parts of the Tethys Sea remained as it was before. Then, during the last of Pleistocene period, different materials EURASIAN PLATE were deposited by the swift flowing rivers from such hills. After that, the remaining INDIAN PLATE part of the Tethys Sea also filled with sediments and there formed an extensive plain land in the North India and Terai belt of Nepal. As it is the region formed with the soft materials, it holds specific importance from the geological point of view. Utility Following are the utilities of Nepalese landform: Since the hills of Nepal are stretched East-West, the monsoon wind gets blocked by these hills and causes rainfall in Nepal during summer. If there were no hills in Nepal, the rainfall would not occur and Nepal would remain like desert. These hills also block the chilling cold wind blowing from middle Asia during winter. As a result, there is no extreme cold except in Himalayas. Because of the presence of Mountain, Hill and Terai in Nepal, all types of climate like cold, warm and hot are found here. Since Nepal is a mountainous country, it is rich in water resource, forest, mines, natural beauty, etc which can contribute to the economic development through tourism industries. There are various mines in different parts of the mountain region. The mines of copper, coal, iron, zinc, lead, etc are found there. There are varieties of natural vegetations and wildlife in various heights in Nepal. The Himalayan range and the rivers are serving as natural borders. KEY TERMS Coniferous forest : a type of forest characterized by cone-bearing, needle-leaved trees Deciduous forest : a type of forest characterized by trees that seasonally shed their leaves Extensive : covering a large area Perennial : permanent Sediments : settled matters at bottom of liquid Tremendous : very great Our Earth 159

Evaluation Exercises Activities 1. Draw an outline map of Nepal and show the physical features of Nepal. Show the region where you live. 2. While calculating the area of different physical division, Mountain, Hill and Terai regions occupy 15%, 68% and 17% land of the total area of Nepal respectively on the basis of the area of districts locating in the different regions. Discuss in the class in the presence of subject teacher and find the area percentage of different physical divisions on the basis of altitude. 3. The following map shows the geological structure of Nepal. Copy this map in your exercise book. LEGEND Pakistan Tibet Terai NEPAL Myanmar Siwaliks India Lesser Himalaya High Himalaya Tibetan-Tethys Miocene granites MFTMBT N km MBT 0 40 80 120 MFT Exercise Short answer questions: 1. Answer the following questions each in a single sentence. a. Write the longitudinal and latitudinal extension of Nepal. b. What is Inner Terai? c. Name any four major mountain peaks of Nepal. d. Which region of Nepal is known as Bhot? Write with examples. 2. Why is the landform of Nepal useful? Write its utilities in four points. 3. Give reasons for the following statements. a. Mountain region is favourable for cattle rearing. b. Hilly region has higher possibility of hydroelectricity production. c. Terai region is called the granary of Nepal. d. If there were no hills in Nepal, the rainfall would not occur and Nepal would remain like desert. 160 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 9

4. The diagram given below shows the cross section of the landforms of Nepal from South to North. Copy the diagram in your exercise book and describe it. Main Himalayan Range Outer Himalayas Bhot Valley Mahabharat Range Chure Hills Valley Terai Inner Terai India China Long answer questions: 1. How should we utilize the diverse landform of Nepal for economic progress of the nation? Suggest any seven ways. 2. Describe how the landform of Nepal was formed. 3. Into how many physical divisions, Nepal is divided? Write a brief note on each of them based on land topography, climate, economic activities and natural vegetation. Project Work Prepare a model of the physical features of Nepal with the help of mud, paper and plywood. Our Earth 161

3Lesson CLIMATE OF NEPAL Nepal experiences various NEPAL types of climate. There are Types of Climate different factors affecting the climate of Nepal. Latitude, Dipayal CHINA N altitude, distance from sea, Birendranagar presence of mountains and Pokhara directions of wind are main Kathmandu factors affecting climate of Nepal. The location of Nepal LEGEND INDIA Dhankuta is in the tropical zone between Tundra (Cold Desert) Alpine Cold Temperate Warm Temperate Sub-tropical 26°22'N to 30°27'N. Thus, general climate of Nepal is sub-tropical monsoon type. Nepal’s climate is also considered tropical monsoon same as the climate of South and South-East Asia. This type of climate is characterized by hot and wet summer and cold and dry winter. The latitudinal extension of Nepal is only 4°. In the place of same geographical altitude, it does not cause difference in the climate. Though Nepalgunj and Namchebazar lie at the same latitude, the climate of these two places is found different because of the difference in altitude. The summer temperature of Nepalgunj is about 30°C whereas it is only 12°C in Namchebazar. Though various types of climate are found in Nepal, there is a great influence of monsoon in it. The South Asian region experiences the monsoon type of climate. The presence of mountain ranges act as a barrier to the cold wind that blows from the North, keeping most parts of Nepal warm, while the Southern slope of the mountain range traps the monsoon wind blowing from Bay of Bengal that brings rainfall in Nepal. The three geographic regions of Nepal have distinct climatic features according to their attitudinal positions. Broadly Nepal’s climate conditions can be divided it two periodic conditions. 1. Summer Condition The summer condition in Nepal last almost for six months from Chaitra to Bhadra. During the first three months the temperature rises and there is no rainfall. The general climatic condition is hot and dry with average temperature ranging from 30°C to 35°C in the Terai region, 20°C to 25°C in the hilly region and 0°C to 10°C in the mountain region. During the last three months, the low pressure created over inner Asia draws the monsoon 162 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 9

wind from the Bay of Bengal. This rain bearing monsoon wind enters Nepal from the South-East of Nepal which is blocked by the Himalayan range and the hills. As a result, Eastern parts of Nepal receive more PreLosswure rainfall and it decreases as it moves further West. Out of the total annual rainfall, 90% rainfall occurs during summer. The average rainfall in the Eastern part of Nepal is about PrHesigsuhre 200 cm, the central part of Nepal receives about 150 cm while the Western part receives about 100 cm of rainfall during Summer Monsoon summer. In between the mountain ranges in the North, there are several passes that joins the Southern slopes of the mountain range to the Northern slopes. These passes are almost dry with very little rainfall because it is very narrow and lies in leeward sides of the mountains. The Northern slopes of the Himalayas receive comparatively less or no rainfall than the Southern-slopes because of its location in the rain-shadow zone. The two dry valleys of Nepal namely Manang and Mustang lie on the Northern slopes of the Himalayas. 2. Winter Condition The winter condition in Nepal lasts roughly for six months from Aswin to Falgun. The general climate during this time of the year is cold and dry. During this period, a high pressure is created in the interior parts of PrHesigsuhre Asia causing dry air to blow outward. This outward blowing wind is usually cold and dry but absorbs a little amount of moisture from the Mediterranean and Caspian sea PreLosswure bringing little amount of occasional rainfall in the Western part of Nepal. The average winter temperature varies due to altitude as Winter Monsoon we move from South to North. The Terai region in the South has an average winter temperature ranging from 10°C to 18°C, the hilly region has 0°C to 5°C and the mountain region has below 0°C. Occasional winter rain is brought in by cyclones which decrease in amount and frequency from West to East. Snowfall is common in high altitude areas and Himalayan region. Our Earth 163

KEY TERMS Absorb : take in or soak up Leeward : away from where the wind is coming from Occasional : occurring infrequently at irregular intervals Evaluation Exercises Activities 1. Discuss on the climates found in Nepal. 2. Why would a person, travelling towards Namchebazar from Lahan feel the climatic difference? Discuss in the class. 3. The given maps of Nepal show the condition of temperature in summer and winter. Discuss in classroom and find the reason why they are different. NEPAL NEPAL Mean Summer Temperature Mean Summer Temperature (July) (July) Dipayal CHINA N Dipayal CHINA N Birendranagar Pokhara Birendranagar Pokhara LEGEND Kathmandu LEGEND INDIA Kathmandu Below -3° C Below -3° C -3° to 0° C INDIA Dhankuta -3° to 0° C Dhankuta 0° to 3° C 0° to 3° C 3° to 6° C 3° to 6° C 6° to 9° C 6° to 9° C 9° to 12° C 9° to 12° C 12° to 15° C 12° to 15° C 15° to 18° C Above 15° C 18° to 21° C 21° to 24° C 24° to 27° C Above 27° C Exercise Short answer questions: 1. Give reasons for the following statements. a. The southern slopes of Himalayas receive more rainfall than the Northern slopes. b. There is more rainfall in hilly region. c. There is cold and dry climate in Nepal during winter season. d. Eastern part of Nepal receives more rainfall than western part during summer. 2. Answer the following questions each in a single sentence. a. What is the main characteristic of tropical monsoon climate? b. Why is the climate of Nepalgunj and Namchebazar different though they lie at the same latitude? c. Which part of Nepal receives more winter rainfall and why? d. What is the main factor affecting the climate of Nepal? 3. How does the monsoon rain affect the agricultural production of Nepal? 164 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 9

4. What relationship do you find between the physical feature and climate of Nepal? Explain. 5. Monsoon is both ally and enemy of Nepal. Do you agree with this statement? Discuss. 6. Describe the given picture. N Long answer question: 1. Differentiate between the summer monsoon and winter monsoon. Also explain the economic importance of each of them. Community Work Meet an agricultural expert and ask about the influence of monsoon in economic activities of Nepal. You can consult with an experienced farmer also. Prepare a report of your inquiry and present in the class. Our Earth 165

4Lesson NATURAL VEGETATION OF NEPAL Nepal is a landlocked country with a great geographic diversity. This diversity is exemplified by its varied landforms and climates. The different landforms in Nepal comprise of plains, hills, mountains, valleys and river basins. All this landforms have their own unique geographic distinctions, floras and faunas. Altitudinal difference from South to North has also influenced the climate of Nepal. Different types of climates are experienced in different altitudinal zones. The Terai region experiences hot tropical climate while the Mid Hills have warm temperate climate. The Mountains have cold climate. Difference in landforms and climates has made Nepal rich in biodiversity and also influenced the lifestyle of people. NEPAL N Natural Vegetation Sub-tropical Evergreen Forest Monsoon Deciduous Forest Evergreen Coniferous Forest Alpine Grassland Tundra Vegetation Various types of climates and natural vegetations are found according to altitude. The major five types of natural vegetations are illustrated below: Types of natural vegetation Description Sub-tropical Evergreen Sub-tropical evergreen forest is found in the Terai region, Forest Southern part of Nepal. It is found at an altitude of 60 m to 1200 m. It is hot as it lies at lower altitude. The temperature reaches up to 45°C during summer. Terai region receives rainfall up to 200 cm. There is more rainfall in the East than in the West in this region. The natural vegetations like tall, hard and evergreen trees such as Sal, Sisau, Khayar, Jamun, Kusum, etc are available. 166 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 9

Monsoon deciduous forest is found in the upper part of Chure range and the middle part of Mahabharat range. It is found at an altitude of 1,200 m to 2,100 m. Warm Monsoon Deciduous Forest temperate climate and deciduous forest is found in this region. During the summer, the temperature reaches up to 24°C to 30°C and rainfall ranges 100 cm to 200 cm. The trees of this location shed their leaves in winter. At the lower part of this location, deciduous type of forest is found whereas mixed forest of deciduous and coniferous trees is found in the upper part. The major species of trees found here are Lakuri, Chilaune, walnut, Sal, pine, golden champak, alder, etc. Evergreen Coniferous Forest Cold temperate and evergreen coniferous forest is found in the higher part of Mahabharat range and lower part of Himalayas. This type of forest is found at an altitude of 2,100 m to 3,300 m above sea level. The summer temperature is about 20°C and winter temperate is about 0°C in this location. Because of the cold climate, the natural vegetations like pine, Dhupi, Bhojpatra, rhododendron, bamboo, Nigalo and some bushes are found here. Alpine climate is found in the lower part of the snowline Alpine Grassland of Himalaya range and inner Himalaya at an altitude of 3,300 m to 5,000 m. The winter temperature of this region decreases below 0°C. There is less rainfall. Annual rainfall is about 50 cm in the form of snow. An open and wide space of land, harsh bushes, medicinal herbs and rhododendron are found in this region. There are some vast pasturelands also which are called Kharka in local language. It is suitable for cattle rearing. Tundra Vegetation Tundra climate is found in the upper part of the snowline above 5,000 m. As this region is covered with snow throughout the year, the vegetation of cold desert is found here. Only some steep slopes and rocky parts of the mountain have small plants like lichen, mosses, etc. Small flowering plants also grow here. Our Earth 167

KEY TERMS Alpine : relating to high mountains Distinction : excellence that sets someone or something apart from others Exemplify : be a typical example of Evaluation Exercises Activities 1. What types of natural vegetation are found in your locality? Discuss about their characteristics. 2. Note down the changes seen in the vegetation of your locality during each seasons and discuss in the class. Exercise Short answer questions: 1. “Natural vegetations vary according to the places.” Write the reasons. 2. Analyze the relationship between Nepal’s geographical diversity and vegetations found there. 3. How can the diverse type of natural vegetations be useful for the economic development of the country? Write your views in four points. Long answer questions: 1. Draw an outline map of Nepal and show the distribution of natural vegetation. 2. What types of natural vegetations are found in Nepal? Write their types and one feature of each. Project Work Take a chart paper. Draw an outline map of Nepal showing the distribution of natural vegetations of Nepal. Collect some pictures of natural vegetations found in Nepal and paste them in the correct location on the map. 168 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 9

5Lesson GEOGRAPHICAL DIVERSITY AND LIFESTYLE IN NEPAL Nepal has great physical diversity. Different types of climates are experienced in different altitudinal zones. This difference in landforms and climate has made Nepal rich in biodiversity and also influenced in the economic activities, settlement and lifestyle of people. Varieties of landforms and climates are found from North to South of Nepal. According to the variation in physical features and climates, the lifestyle and economic activities of people also varies in different geographical regions of Nepal. 1. Lifestyle in Terai Region Agriculture in Terai Animal Rearing in Terai The Terai region of Nepal has occupied about 17% of the total land area of Nepal. Population density of this region is more due to the access of infrastructures of development and development of industries and trade. According to the census of 2068 BS, 50.27% of total population of Nepal lives in Terai region. This region is appropriate for agriculture as there is warm or hot climate, enough summer rainfall, fertile soil, facility of irrigation, etc. Paddy and wheat are produced here in huge amount. Oilseed, vegetable, fruit, cotton, sugarcane, tobacco and jute are the major cash crops of this region. Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi, Butwal, Bhairahawa, Birgunj, Janakpur, Lahan, Duhabi, Biratnagar, etc are the popular industrial and commercial centers of this region. Fishery and animal husbandry are also the sources of income of people of this region. The major inhabitants of this region are Yadav, Tharu, Musalman, Brahmin, Madhesi, Teli, Kuswaha, Kurmi, Chamar, Musahar, etc. Because of the trend of migrating from mountain and hilly regions, the Pahadi origin Brahmin, Chhetri, Rai, Magar, Gurung, etc have also settled there. 2. Lifestyle in Hilly Region Agriculture in Hill The middle part between Terai and Mountain region is known as hilly region. The hilly region has occupied about 68% of the total land area of Nepal. According to the last census 43% of total population of Nepal lives in this region. Our Earth 169

Brahmin, Chhetri, Rai, Magar, Limbu, Newar, Tamang, etc are the main inhabitants of this region. Though, there is less cultivable land, the less slopes have been used for producing food crops like maize, millet, wheat, etc. Paddy, maize, wheat, etc are produced in the valleys and river basins. Animal husbandry is also a good source of income of people of this region. The cash crops such as orange, ginger, coffee, tea, cardamom, etc are produced in a great amount. The main occupation of the people of Tea Garden in Hill this region is agriculture. Some of the people are also in trade and some people of Rai, Gurung, Limbu and Magar communities have joined Indian and British army. Some of the youths have also gone for foreign employment. Some are in service as their profession. 3. Lifestyle in Mountain Region Agriculture in Mountain Animal Husbandry in Mountain Northern most region of Nepal is called mountain region. It has covered about 15% of the total area of Nepal. Because of difficult land topography and cold climate, only 6.73% of total population of Nepal lives in this region. The main habitants of this region are Sherpa, Hyolmo, Thakali, Dolpo, Bhote, etc. Lifestyle of this region is very difficult due to fewer infrastructures of development and cultivable land. Barley, Uwa, buckwheat and apple are produced in a little amount. Potato is the main production of this region. There are many tourist destinations. Some of the people are running hotel business as their source of income. Some of them are working in tourism sector. The business of medicinal herbs and animal husbandry like yak, sheep and horse are also the sources of income of people living in this region. KEY TERMS Biodiversity : the variety of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular habitat Density : the quantity of people or things in a given area or space Habitant : somebody living in a place Topography : the features on the surface of an area of land 170 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 9

Evaluation Exercises Activities 1. Mention the name of three main crops and the reasons for growing it in the three geographical regions in the table given below: Geographical regions Major crops Reasons for growing Mountain region Hilly region Terai region 2. Discuss the reasons of difference in population density and economic activities in the different geographical regions. Exercise Short answer questions: 1. What are the reasons of less agricultural production in mountain and hilly region than Terai region of Nepal? Write the reasons. 2. What is the difference between cash crop and food crop? Make a table and show any two cash crops and food crops produced in each geographical region. 3. Which one of the three geographical regions of Nepal would you like to live in and why? Long answer questions: 1. What are the main occupations of people living in mountain region? What do you think should be done for uplifting and ease the lifestyle of people of this region? 2. What is the relationship between the geographical diversity and lifestyle of people? Explain with examples. 3. Elaborate the economic prospects of each of the geographical regions. Community Work Ask the farmers about the crops produced in your community. In which season do they produce and what problems do they have to face during the production. Prepare a piece of writing on the basis of the answer given by farmers. Our Earth 171

6Lesson WATER RESOURCE IN NEPAL AND ITS UTILIZATION In spite of being a landlocked country, Nepal has a great potential in water resources. If the water resource available in the country is utilized, it will open the door to economic development. There are mainly two types of water resource. They are surface water and underground water. Rivers, glaciers, rainfall, lakes and springs belong to the surface water whereas the ponds, wells, tube wells and pump wells belong to the underground water. The surface water is more important from the point of view of utility. There are more than 6,000 rivers and rivulets in Nepal. More than 1,000 rivers are longer than 11 km. The water storage capacity of all the rivers of Nepal has been estimated to be 202,000 million cubic meter. Koshi, Gandaki and Karnali are the major river systems of Nepal. They hold about 74% water storage capacity of total. It has been estimated that from the rivers of Nepal, about 83,000 megawatt electricity can be generated but from the economic and technical point of view, its potentiality has been evaluated to be 44,370 megawatt. On the basis of flow, water storage and utility, the rivers of Nepal can be categorized into three groups. River System of Nepal 1. First Grade Rivers These are the rivers originated from the Himalayas and flowing continuously with great volume. Koshi , Karnali and Gandaki rivers are originated from snow and glaciated region in Himalayas. They are permanent rivers and are useful sources of hydropower generation and irrigation. 172 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 9

2. Second Grade Rivers These are the rivers originated from the Mahabharat range. The water volume of such rivers gets higher during summer and lower during winter. Babai, Rapti, Tinau, Banganga, Bagmati, Kamala, Triyuga, Kankai, Mechi, etc are the Second Grade Rivers. Such rivers are useful for generating hydroelectricity, drinking water and irrigation. 3. Third Grade Rivers These are the rivers originated from the Chure range (Siwalik range). They flow with high volume during rainy season. They are not permanent rivers as they flow with less volume or get dried during dry season of winter. Sirsiya, Tilobe, Jamuni, Hardinath, Dunduwa, Arjun Khola, etc belong to the Third Grade Rivers. They are also useful for small hydropower, irrigation and drinking water. Besides rivers, there are other sources of water too. There are many glaciers, lakes, ponds, underground water, etc. In the Terai region of Nepal, underground water is taken out from the wells or hand-pumps and used for drinking purpose. Utilization of Water Resource It is said that the economic development of the country depends on the utilization of water resources. If these water resources are properly utilized with far-sighted vision, Nepal can achieve a higher economic prosperity. The water resources of Nepal have the following utilizations: 1. Hydroelectricity: Though the potentiality of Nepal’s rivers to generate electricity has been estimated to be 83,000 megawatt, we have not been able to produce even 2,000 megawatt hydroelectricity till now. During the Rana rule, hydroelectricity was produced in Nepal for the first time from Pharping in 1968 BS. Till date, the Kaligandaki ‘A’ Hydroelectricity Project largest hydroelectricity project is Kaligandaki ‘A’ which produces 144 megawatt electricity. There are about 30 hydroelectricity projects in Nepal. Micro hydroelectricity projects are also running in the village level. This production of electricity is not enough to meet the growing demand of electricity. The industries are facing difficulties to run. So, it is necessary to increase the production of hydroelectricity for the economic development of Nepal. 2. Irrigation: Another important utilization Bagmati Irrigation Project of water resource is irrigation. As Nepal is an agricultural country, irrigation facility is essential. 173 First time in Nepal, canals were constructed from Triyuga and Manusmara rivers during Rana regime. There were some important major canals Our Earth

constructed in Kathmandu valley. By the end of Fourteenth Plan (2074/75), a total of 14.7 lakhs hector land has been provided with the irrigation facility. The following are some major irrigation projects of Nepal. Irrigation Projects Districts Irrigated land (in hector) Sharada Kailali, Kanchanpur 6,800 Bagmati Bara, Rautahat, Sarlahi 50,200 Rapti Banke 3,000 Gandak Bara, Parsa, Rautahat, Nawalparasi 51,000 Babai Bardiya 13,000 Kankai Jhapa 8,000 Sikta Banke 36,000 Koshi Saptari 22,000 Besides these projects, underground water has also been utilized for irritation in some places such as Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, etc. In other parts of the country, the farmers have to depend on monsoon for irrigating their fields. 3. Rafting: The swift flowing rivers of Nepal are famous for rafting in the world. Every year thousands of tourist visit Nepal for rafting. The rivers such as Bhotekoshi, Marsyangdi, Trishuli, Sunkoshi, Kaligandaki, Narayani are appropriate for rafting. 4. Daily use: Another important utilization of water resource is for daily use. Water is considered the Rafting in Bhotekoshi second important basic need after air for living being. Water is used for various purposes in our daily life like cooking, taking bath, washing, watering the garden, etc. Water Induced Disaster and its Management The bad impacts caused by the water resource are known as water induced disasters. Water induced disasters like flood, landslide, soil erosion, glacier outburst, etc may cause great loss of lives and properties. Sources of water are getting dry due to deforestation. The rivers are getting polluted because of unmanaged disposal of garbage which may directly affect our daily life. Every year, many people are losing their lives due to water born diseases such as jaundice, cholera, diarrhoea, etc. For the management of water induced disaster, the following measures have to be adopted. a. We have to conserve and utilize the water resources appropriately. b. Every one of us should be aware about the consequences of this problem and its management. c. For the conservation and management of water sources, government, private sectors and concerned authorities should also play important role. d. We have to prepare necessary means and resources to be used at the time of emergency. 174 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 9

KEY TERMS Estimated : calculated something roughly Glaciated : covered or having been covered by glaciers or ice sheets Hydroelectricity : electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water Induce : bring about or give rise to Outburst : outbreak Potentiality : a capacity to grow, develop or become something Swift : moving fast Evaluation Exercises Activities 1. Discuss the importance of water resources in the context of Nepal. 2. Find out and write the tributaries of Saptakoshi, Sapta Gandaki and Sapta Karnali rivers. Exercise Short answer questions: 1. Write any four suggestions for the proper utilization of Nepal’s water resources. 2. What do you mean by water induced disaster? What measures should be adopted for its management? 3. Describe any four utilizations of rivers in Nepal. 4. Write the measures to prevent the water resources from pollution and getting dry. Long answer questions: 1. Into how many grades, the rivers of Nepal can be categorized on the basis of origin and water storage? What are the characteristics of such rivers? Write with examples. 2. “Though, there is a great possibility of hydropower generation in Nepal, the electricity has not been supplied as required.” Explore the reasons. 3. Elaborate the importance of water resource in Nepal. Community Work Visit your community and conduct a research. Try to find the condition of sources of drinking water, supply of electricity and drinking water and people suffering from water induced disaster. Prepare a report of your study and present it in the class. Our Earth 175

7Lesson MAP WORK The art of making map is called Cartography. Maps are not the invention of the modern age. They were in existence even in olden ages. But the earliest maps were highly pictorial, presenting the ideas by a rough sketch or picture, without any scale or accuracy regarding relative position or size. But the present day’s map, with the help of modern technology, are highly precise and give more information of the whole world or any of its part. MAP A map may be defined as the representation of the whole earth, or a part of it, on a flat surface, drawn to a scale. By gradual evolution in the science of map-making it is now possible to picture and indicate the earth’s features and necessary information more precisely in a single map. Now, with the help of computer, maps are drawn even more precisely. Satellites are also being used for taking photographs for mapping large areas of the earth quite accurately. These satellites can take pictures from a height Satellite Image of Kathmandu ranging from 700 to 1,700 km above sea level. These images (pictures) can be used to make small or large scale maps with the help of computers. Large scale maps are essential for planners and engineers for making roads, bridges, buildings, etc. In the present context, the art of drawing and reading map is very much essential to every citizen. The vast treasure of information given in a map is not confined to only our local areas or country but to the entire globe or universe. Therefore, the skill of drawing and understanding map is very important. TYPES OF MAPS Maps are usually drawn to show different details on a large or small scale. The details that are to be shown on it may be so varied that their representation on map may lead to confusion. Hence, it is necessary to show different details in separate maps. Considering these facts, there are different types of maps such as: a) Cadastral Maps: Cadastral maps are drawn to show Cadastral Map (register) the ownership of land property by demarcating the boundaries of fields and buildings, etc. The village maps or the plot of land (Kitta) may be cited as example. 176 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 9

The city plan maps are also included in this category. It is useful for local administration such as land survey, city survey, etc. b) Topographical Maps: Topographical maps are maps Topographical Map which show general features in detail comprising of both natural and cultural landscapes. They do not show boundaries of individual plots or buildings, but show the general topographic forms like relief and drainage, swamps and forests, villages and towns, etc. c) Atlas Maps: Atlas maps are drawn on a very small scale Atlas Map and give more or less highly generalized information regarding the physical, climatic and economic conditions of different regions of the earth. They are usually in a collection and give generalized information of the whole world, continent or country, important rivers, mountains, places, etc. d) Wall Maps: Wall maps are generally drawn boldly so that they Wall Map may be used in the class-room or for display. Wall maps may be prepared for the whole world or country according to need. Their scale is smaller than that of topographical maps but larger than that of atlas map. e) Political Maps: Political maps are designed to show governmental boundaries of countries, states, and counties, the location of major cities, and they usually include significant bodies of water. The most important purpose of the political map is to show territorial borders. f) Physical Maps: In addition to country borders, major cities Political Map and significant bodies of water, physical maps indicate the location of landforms like deserts, mountains and plains. They show the different landforms such as lowlands, mountains, rivers and plains by means of different symbols and shades. SCALE OF A MAP Arabian Bay of Philippine Sea Bengal Sea The distance on the map is smaller than the corresponding Laccadive distance on the ground. Thus, scale is the ratio of distance on Sea Andaman South the map to the actual distance on the ground. For instance: if an Sea China actual distance of 5 miles is represented on the map by a distance of 1 inch, the scale is 1'' (inch) = 5 miles. Sea Sulu Sea Celebes Sea Equator Physical Map Our Earth 177

When we say that the scale of a map is 1 inch to a mile (or 1 centimetre to 1 kilometre) we mean that if we measure 1 inch or 1 centimetre as the distance between two places on the map, this distance would be 1 mile or 1 kilometre on the actual ground. According to our need, we have “small scale” and “large scale” maps. The scale we choose depends primarily on (1) the size of the area to be mapped (2) the amount of detail to be shown and (3) the size of the paper. Small scale maps cover a large area and gives generalized and less detailed information. Some examples of large scale maps are the world map, map of continents or country, etc. On the other hand, a large scale map covers a small area and gives more detailed information. Some examples of large scale maps are tourists map, map of a town or city, village map, etc. There are three ways in which scales are depicted on the map. 1. Statement (Verbal Scale): A statement is used to indicate the scale of map. For instance: 1 cm to 1 km means, 1 centimeter on the map represent 1 kilometer on the ground. 2. Linear or Graphic Scale: Here a straight line is divided Linear or Graphic Scale into a number of equal parts and is marked to show what these divisions represent on actual ground. It is usually shown on the bottom of the map. 3. Representative Fraction (or R.F. scale): This expresses the Arabian Bay of Philippine Sea proportion of the scale by a fraction in which the numerator Sea Bengal South is one and the denominator also is the same unit of length. Laccadive China Sea Representative Fraction (commonly written R.F.) is stated Sea Andaman 1/100,000 or 1:100,000, this means one unit on the map Sea Sulu Sea represents 100,000 of the same unit on the ground. This unit Celebes Sea may be centimeter or inch. If it is in centimeter, then 1 cm on the map represents 100,000 centimeters on the ground i.e. 1 cm Equator represents 1 kilometer. Indian RepresentativOeceFanraction Look at Grid Map of Nepal. Several horizontal and vertical lines are drawn on the map. They are called Grids. In this map the Grids are drawn according to the scale. You can reduce or increase the size of map by reducing or increasing the scale. This is a very easy method of drawing a map. But it requires regular practice. Draw a similar Grid Map and insert the various geographical facts about our country. Similar Grid Map of the continent can also be drawn. Various geographical facts can be shown with the help of symbols and colors. You must have atlas of your own. Look at your Atlas and locate the various geographical facts of the different continents and that of Nepal. Discuss about the map and the located facts, for example, which part of Asia grows paddy and why? Thus, Representative Fraction (R.F.) = Distance on the map Distance on the ground 178 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 9

Draw a map of Nepal with the help of grid. 2 cm 2 cm 2 cm 2 cm 3 cm 3 cm 2 cm Scale: 1 cm = 80 km International Map Work With the help of atlas, insert the following facts in the map of the world: Sahara Desert, Greenland Island, Rocky Mountain Range, Andes Mountain Range, Canada, Siberia, Strait of Gibraltar, Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Brazil, USA, Nepal, Panama Canal N KEY TERMS 179 Confined : limited Evolution : developmental process Grid : reference lines on map Swamp : an area of very soft and wetland Our Earth

Evaluation Exercises Activities 1. Match the following: Group B Group A map line showing land height Map mapmaking Contour line geographic diagram Scale of a map size ratio Cartography 2. ‘One centimetre is to one Kilometre’ is a verbal scale. When this verbal scale is converted into Representative Scale, it will be 1: 100,000. In both the scales, unit of measurement on the paper or map is 1 cm. The unit for the corresponding distance on the ground is also cm. Now, convert 1 cm to 5 km into Representative Scale. 3. Draw a map of your classroom based on any one of the scales that you have decided to choose. Discuss the importance of the scale and the map that you have drawn. 4. Measure the length and breadth of your house and find out its area. 5. Draw the following symbols and practice using these symbols in your map work. Road Lake Bridge Pass City Range River Q Airways Temple Railways Peak Grassland Exercise Short answer questions: 1. Draw a map of Nepal with the help of grid. 2. What symbols are used to indicate the following facts in a map? a. Pass b. Bridge c. Mountain Range d. Railway 180 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 9

3. What do the following symbols indicate in the map work? a. b. c. d. 4. What is scale? How many types of scale are used in map? Write with examples. Long answer questions: 1. What is a map? Give short introduction to any six types of map. 2. Draw an outline map of Nepal and insert the following facts using appropriate symbols. a. Mt. Everest b. Chitwan National Park c. Kathmandu d. Kaligandaki River e. Rara Lake Map work practice Draw an outline map of Nepal and insert the following items therein using appropriate symbols: a. Mahendra Highway b. Protected areas c. Mountain Peaks d. Cultivation Area e. Lakes f. Rivers g. Religious Sites h. Major Cities Project Work Draw a full page map showing the way from your school to your house. Also show the various important things found along the way as well as any one of the following: a place of importance, a rest house, a garden, a temple, etc (Use suitable index). Our Earth 181

8Lesson SKETCH MAP A map which shows the general direction in correspondence to the landmarks but not to the correct scale is called a Sketch Map. Thus, a sketch Map is a simple picture that is drawn with hand and which may not be in correct scale but clearly indicates the place and various objects (landmarks). This map can be useful to a person who is new to the locality or the place. Look at the pictures given below. Picture (a) is the side view of a table. Picture (b) is the top view of a table (or viewed from above). Picture (c) is a hand drawn picture seen from above. Thus, it is the sketch map of an object (table) when viewed from its side and above. Given below is the hand drawn map. It is drawn by a student named Sarita. Here, she has shown the direction to her school from her house. She has drawn the map without any measurement. So, the houses, river, trees, school, Chautari and Sarita’s home may not lie exactly at the location as shown on the map. But she has clearly indicated the place, the objects (landmarks) and the direction shown by the compass. So, this map will be useful to a new person who wants to find a way to school from Sarita’s house. School Tree Steep Houses River Sarita’s Road Chautari home Road Chowk Shops Sketch map drawn by Sarita Look at the map of a school given below. On its right is the map of the school viewed from above. It shows the shape and location of each room. The artist must have drawn the map facing the South as shown by direction. Generally, most of the maps are drawn pointing towards the Northern direction, but it is not always compulsory. 182 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 9

KEY TERMS Compass : direction finder Sketch : picture done quickly and roughly Evaluation Exercises Activity Look at the picture drawn by Sarita given in the text. Complete the given paragraph which gives the complete direction to reach school from Sarita’s house. a) Sarita is on her way to.............. She is going towards the.............direction. She crosses a..................and a................... She passes through many..................... There are three roads going towards the............., .............and.............directions. Sarita follows the...................direction. At last she reaches at the..................of her school compound. b) Look at the map of a stadium given below. Mention the objects seen from A-J. Draw a similar map to this. Show the things like, police station, petrol pump, parking area, and also indicate the direction. Way to School Shop Park Office Ticket West house H FG I South DCE J North B A Park Way to Police Station Bazar East Exercise Short answer questions: 1. What is a sketch map? Why is it useful? 2. Draw a sketch map of your school. Community Work Take an empty sheet of paper and be ready to draw a map. Draw a road from your house to your school. Show shops on both sides of the road, office building, rivers (if any) clearly on the map. Show any other road which may be linked with it. Our Earth 183

9Lesson KNOWLEDGE ABOUT DISTANCE It is impossible to draw all the objects on the surface of the earth to its actual scale on a piece of paper. For example, a table having the length of 2 m and breadth 1.5 m cannot be represented in its actual size on a small piece of paper. Hence, we need the help of scale to represent the exact shape and size of the table on a piece of paper. In this way, each meter of length of the table can be represented in figure by 1 cm. We have already discussed in detail about the types of scale in previous lesson. With the help of the scale we can draw a map of any size and shape. N Scale 1 cm = 2.25 km Scale 1 cm = 0.5 km Scale 1 cm = 20 m 1 : 225,000 1 : 50,000 1 : 2,000 The map shown above is the map of Kathmandu Valley drawn in different scales. The scale is given at the bottom of the map. The first map has the smallest scale. So a very small part of Kathmandu valley i.e. a few parts of Kathmandu and some villages around Patan can be seen. In the second map the scale has been increased where only Patan, roads and temples around can be seen. In the third map the scale has been increased even more so it is possible to see Patan Durbar square. Thus, scale is used as per convenience to locate what we need to find or study. Every map has its own purpose and objective and it is the factor which determines the choice of the scale used. For example, a political or physical map of a country is usually drawn in a very small scale while planning map (Town Planning Map) is drawn in a very large scale. Straight distances on a map can be measured by placing a straight ruler or a straight edge of a strip of paper along the required line. Mark the limits on the ruler or the strip with a pencil or a marker. Measure the actual length and convert it into cm. For example, in the map the distance between the zoo and the stupa in Pulchowk is 1.3 cm and the scale used 184 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 9

in the map is 1: 50,000. So, 1.3 x 50,000 = 65,000. So the actual distance between the two places is 65,000 cm or 650 m. KEY TERMS Convenience : somebody’s personal comfort Strip : long flat piece Evaluation Exercises Activity Look at the map given in the text and answer the following questions: a) Suppose you are near Ashoka stupa. In which direction do you have to find Thapathali. b) How long does it take to reach Thapathali from Lagankhel by a short route? c) If you look from straight line and curved line, how far is Chovar from Kirtipur and Harisiddhi from Patan Bazar respectively? d) Find a map of Ringroad. Place a thread around it. Find the length of Ringroad choosing a suitable scale. Exercise Short answer question: 1. Look at the map given below and answer the questions: a) If an aeroplane flies from Simara to Pokhara, what direction will it fly towards? (North-East, North-West, South-East or South-West) b) What is the distance covered by the aeroplane flying from Simara to Pokhara? c) How far is Nepalgunj from Jumla and Kathmandu from Pokhara? Project Work Find out the measurement of your classroom. Show it with the scale 1:100 or 1 cm to a mm. Locate and mark the place where you sit in your classroom. Our Earth 185

186 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 9 NEPAL: Physical Map Chandi Himal CHINA Sukla Phanta Manasalu Wildlife Reserve Conservation Area Langtang National Park Sagarmatha Kanchanjunga National Park Conservation Barun Area EMvoeurensttMakalu National Park Legend INDIA Major Cities Mountains Tourist Attraction Places Highway Major River National Parks

Our Earth Sudurpashchim Province ButwalKarnali Province N Provincial Map of Nepal KANCHANPUR Godawari Gandaki Province Bagmati Province Birendranagar WEST Pokhara EAST Province: 1 Province: 5 RUPANDEHI NAWAL NAWAELASPTARASI PARASI Provincial Headquarters WEST K - Kathmandu Hetauda Janakpur B - Bhaktapur L - Lalitpur Province: 2 Biratnagar 187

Political Map of the World 188 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 9

10Lesson ASIA: GEOGRAPHICAL AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT Asia, the world’s largest continent, covers an area of 16,838,365 sq miles (43,608,000 sq. km). There are 49 separate countries. This continent occupies about one-third of the total land area of the world. About 60% of the world’s population lives in Asia. A very outstanding feature of Asia is the great variety and diversity in physical, cultural and economic characteristics. This is the reason why Asia is known as “The continent of contrast”. Location Except the island chain in the South,Asia lies almost completely in the Northern hemisphere and Eastern hemisphere. It is separated from Europe by Ural Mountains and Caspian Sea in the West. It is bounded by the Arctic Ocean in the North, Pacific Ocean in the East, Indian Ocean in the South respectively. The longitudinal extension of Asia is 25°E to 180°E and latitudinal extension is 10°S to 80°N. The highest mountain peak in the world, Mt. Everest (8,848 m above sea level) and world’s lowest part, Dead Sea (394 m below sea level) also lie in Asia. The world’s largest lake, Caspian Sea (371,000 sq km) and the world’s deepest lake, Lake Baikal (1,620 m deep) also lie in Asia. Physical Features Ural Mountains Asia can be broadly divided into six physical regions. 1. The Northern Lowlands: The Northern Lowlands extend from Ural Mountain in the West to the Bering Strait in the North-West. It is a vast stretch of low lying lands towards the Northern flanks of Asia. These plains have been formed by the Ob, Yenisey and Lena rivers which flow Northwards into the Arctic Ocean. It is also known as the Great Siberian Plain. The temperature is extreme cold. It reaches up to -30°C in winter. 2. The Central Mountains and Plateaus: The Central Mountains lie toward the South of Northern Lowlands of Asia. It is a complex system of fold mountain ranges. The Himalayas, The Kunlun and Tien Shan, The Karakoram, The Suleiman, The Elburz, etc are some of the important mountain ranges of this region. The world’s highest peak Mt. Everest (8,848 m) lies in the Himalayas of Central Mountains. This region also comprises of plateaus in between the mountain ranges known as the intermountain plateaus. The plateau of Tibet is the world’s highest plateau which Karakoram Mountains Our Earth 189

is also known as the “Roof of the World”, lies Deccan Plateau between the Kunlun and the Himalayas. As it lies Tigris River in the rain shadow region and far from sea, it is like semi-desert. Archipelago 3. The Southern Plateaus: These plateaus lie to the South of the Central Mountains. Some of the important plateaus of this region are the Arabian Plateau, the Deccan Plateau and the Shan and Yunan Plateaus. They are formed of old hard rocks. 4. The Great River Valleys: Asia is known for the many large rivers that rise from the high mountain ranges. The valley of these rivers are very fertile and therefore, densely populated. Infact, these river valley plains are known for the growth and development of many great civilizations in the past. Some of the large and important river valleys of this region are the ones made by Tigris, Euphrates, Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra, Menam, Yangtse and Hwang Ho rivers. 5. The South Eastern Island Chains: To the East and South-East of mainland of Asia lies a chain of islands. These groups of island are also known as the archipelago of Asia. Some of the island of this region includes the Japanese Island, the island of Philippines, Indonesia, etc. There is tropical and temperate monsoon climate in this region. 6. South West Desert Region: There is a dry region in the South West Asia. There are hot deserts in this region. Middle-East Asia and Thar Desert are located there. Tropical desert climate is found in this region. CLIMATE Thar Desert Asia is the largest continent having a great East-West extent. It also has a great latitudinal extension that stretches it from the torrid, temperate and frigid zones of the Earth. Many parts of Asia are far from the influence of seas and oceans. These areas experience extreme conditions and continental climate. Places lying close to the coasts experiences a more pleasant and equable climate. The high mountain ranges of Asia running almost East-West forms a barrier to the on-shore moisture bearing winds and brings rainfall to most parts of Asia. It also prevents the icy cold winds from penetrating from the North and keeps most of South Asia warmer. 190 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 9

The climate of Asia is diverse, ranging from hot-wet equatorial to cold and dry tundra climate. The countries like Indonesia and Malaysia of South-East Asia lie close to the equator. They have equatorial climate which is hot and wet throughout the year. While, most parts of South Asia experiences tropical monsoon climate. The South-West Asia has tropical desert climate, whereas, the Central Asia has extreme climate as there is no influence of any sea or oceans. The temperate desert or the cold deserts of Asia are found in Central Asia. The Northernmost part of Asia lies in the frigid or the cold zone. It is very cold in winter and warm in summer. NATURAL VEGETATION Tropical Rainforest of Malaysia Steppes of Russia Due to a diverse climate experienced all Tundra of Russia over Asia, a great variety of vegetation and wildlife are found here. The countries of equatorial belt of Asia Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines have dense evergreen forests. These forests have evergreen hardwood and broad-leaved trees such as mahogany, ebony, rosewood, etc with thick under growths like grasses, creepers, climbers, etc. The monsoon forests of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam have deciduous forests. These trees shed their leaves in dry season (winter). Trees like teak, sal, shisham and mango are some common species found here. The hot desert of Arabia, Iran and Thar (Pakistan and India) have nominal vegetation. Thorny bushes, shrubs, cactus and dry grass are found scattered in these region. Date palms are found in Oasis. The temperate grassland or steppes of Russia and Mongolia receive very little rainfall. It supports only short grasses and low bushes. Most of the land is used for animal rearing. The Northern part of Asia and in the North of Siberia has a continuous strip of coniferous forest, called the Taiga. Evergreen softwood trees such as pine, fir, larch and cedar are found here. The region beyond the Arctic Circle in the extreme Northern shores of Asia bordering Arctic Ocean is the tundra. The tundra or the vast treeless plains can support only a few stunted shrubs, mosses and lichens. In summer, a few short flowering plants bloom and die within a short period. Our Earth 191

KEY TERMS Contrast : marked difference Flanks : the side of a large object or structure Evaluation Exercises Activities 1. Look at the physical map of Asia in your Atlas. Locate the mountain ranges, the plateaus, and the fertile plains of Asia. Take the help of scale to find out the length of Siberian Plains in the North and extensive mountain ranges in the South. Locate the various facts in the map of Asia. 2. What is meant by “Archipelago of Asia”? 3. Copy the given outline map of Asia in your exercise book and fill in the given blanks. R_ _ _ _ _ L_ _ _ B_ _ _ _ _ C______ A___ M_ _ _ _ _ _ _ N S__ S__ I___ I___ C____ R.Y _ _ _ _ _ _ J____ N _ _ _ _ _ _ _N _ _ _ _ S____ P______ A_____ R.G _ _ _ _ O____ I____ T______ P__________ I_____ O____ S__ M___ ____ L____ I________ 192 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 9

Exercise Short answer questions: 1. Why is the continent of Asia called the “Continent of Contrast”? Write its reasons. 2. Name four biggest and four smallest countries of Asia. 3. Name any eight major rivers of Asia. 4. Describe climates found in Asia in brief. 5. What types of natural vegetation are found in Asia? Describe each of them in brief. Long answer questions: 1. Into how many physical regions can Asia be divided? Write short introduction to each region. 2. Draw an outline map of Asia and insert the following regions in it with appropriate symbols: a. Hot and wet throughout the year b. Rainfall only in summer c. Very little or no rainfall d. Heavy snowfall in winter 3. Insert the following facts in an outline map of Asia with appropriate symbols: a. Ural Mountain, Bay of Bengal, Caspian Sea, Sumatra, Thar Desert, Mt. Sagarmatha and Gobi Desert b. Red Sea, Sri Lanka, Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, Hwang-Ho river, Arctic Ocean and Aral Sea c. Tigris River, Tokyo, Yangtse River, Steppes Grassland, Nepal, Tropic of Cancer and Tibetan Plateau Our Earth 193

11Lesson ASIA : ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES AND SOCIAL LIFE The vast continent of Asia is blessed with rich natural resources, such as, soil, water, forest and mineral wealth. These rich resources have been utilized by countries in different parts of the continent in a variety of ways. Of all the resources, soil is perhaps the most important resource of Asia and, therefore, agriculture is the chief means of livelihood for about 75% of the Asian population. Besides agriculture, animal rearing, fisheries, forests and mining are some of the important occupations. And, in recent years, due to advancement of science and technology, mineral resources are being utilized to develop manufacturing industries. AGRICULTURE Shifting Cultivation A vast area of Asia is covered by hills, mountains, plateaus, deserts and snow. Only one-sixth of the total land of Asia is cultivable. So, agriculture is mainly carried out in the river valleys which have fertile plains and rich deposits brought down by perennial river. Some of the major river valleys of Asia used for agriculture includes Tigris and Euphrates, Ganges, Brahmaputtra, Hwang-Ho and Si Kiang, Irrawaddy, Menam and Mekong, etc. Despite the scarcity of cultivable land, different types of agriculture are still practiced in different parts of Asia. The oldest and most primitive method of agriculture is practiced by the tribes of North-Eastern India, Malaysia and Indonesia. The other common type of agriculture is intensive agriculture. In this type of agriculture, farmers try to increase output from their small fields by using irrigation, high yielding varieties of seeds, fertilizers and insecticides. This type of agriculture is practiced by farmers of India, Nepal, Bangladesh and China. Commercial agriculture is practiced in the grassy plains of Central and West Siberia. Wheat is grown in large farms as commercial crops with the help of agricultural machines. Plantation agriculture is practiced in parts of India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Philippines. It is a highly specialized form of commercial agriculture where only cash crops are grown for national and international markets. Tea, coffee, rubber, bananas and oil palm are some of the main crops grown in plantation agriculture. ANIMAL REARING Animal Rearing Animal rearing has been practiced in Asia for SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 9 centuries. The nomadic tribes of Saudi Arabia and Kirghiz of Central Asia still practice animal rearing as an important occupation. They move with their animals from place to place in search of food and water. Camels, goats, sheep and cattle are reared and are also used as beasts of burden for transportation. 194

With the development and growth in agricultural practice in most parts of Asia, domesticating and rearing of animal grew along side. Animals such as cows, buffaloes, pigs, donkeys, etc are reared for milk, food, as a beast of burden and even for agricultural purposes. Beef cattle rearing and dairying are also carried out with the help of modern technology in some parts of Asia. FISHERIES Fishing Fishing is an important means of livelihood for people living in coastal regions of Asia. The long coastline of Asia has helped in development of fishing as an industry in countries like Japan and Russia. Other countries where fishing is an important occupation are China, India, South Korea, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Besides catching fish in seas and oceans, fish-farming in lakes, reservoirs and tanks, known as aquaculture, is also done in China and Japan. FORESTS Sandalwood Tree Forest is also an important resource of Asia. About one- third of the total land area of Asia is covered by forest. The tropical evergreen forests of Asia produce hardwood, bamboo and sandalwood used for different purposes. They also provide other valuable forests products, such as, resin, turpentine, medicinal plants and herbs. The evergreen coniferous forests of Siberia also produce softwood from trees such as pine, birch, cedar, fir, etc. These soft woods are used for making paper, newsprint, matchsticks and synthetic fibres. MINERALS AND POWER RESOURCES Asia is known for its large deposits of mineral and power resources. Vast deposits of iron ore is found in China, Russia, India, Malaysia, Japan and North Korea. Coal is found in large quantities in Asia. China, India, Kazakhstan and Siberia of Russia are known for large deposits of coal. Manganese and bauxite (an ore of aluminium) is found in Russia, China, India, Kazakhstan and Indonesia. India Oil Refinery Plant is the world’s largest producer of mica. Large amount of gold, silver and copper is also found in Asia. Petroleum is an important power resource of Asia. Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iran, Iraq and Russia are major oil producing countries in Asia. Hydroelectricity is also another important power resource of Asia. Countries such as Russia, Japan, China and India are using hydroelectricity significantly. Nepal and Pakistan have a high potential of developing hydroelectricity. Our Earth 195

DIVISION OF ASIA ON THE BASIS OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES AND SOCIAL LIFE a) The Northern Region: This region consists of countries separated from USSR and Western China. The climate is very cold in winter with heavy snowfall. It is a vast lowland plain but still not very developed. To the South of the lowland, there is grassy plain called steppe. Rain deer rearing is done in some parts. Coniferous forest called Taiga is the main source of income. The lifestyle is medium level. Coal, gold, petroleum mines are there in large amount. b) The South-West Region (Middle East): This region consists of Arabian Peninsula, fertile plains of Tigris and Euphrates rivers, and Iran and Afghanistan. The climate is dry with poor vegetation, except the fertile banks of Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The density of population is very low. The life in the desert region is very difficult. Here the people depend upon the camel for their economy and living. Camel is also called “Ship of the desert”. Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s leading exporters of oil and oil products and has large density of population. Most of the people are Muslim. c) The Southern Region: Countries like Nepal, Bhutan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan are included in this region. The main occupation of the people is agriculture. It is gradually developing in the field of trade and business. The density of population is very high in this region. It is rich in culture as this region is the centre of ancient civilization. As this region is the origin place of Hinduism and Buddhism and culture, it is considered as the origin place of Eastern Civilization. d) The South-East region: There are ten countries in this region. They are; Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Some of these countries are large groups of islands. This region is developing fast in agriculture, trade and business. The density of population is very high. Countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines are developing very fast in their economy. e) The Eastern Region: China, Korea and Japan are the important countries of this region. They are very advanced in industries, trade and business. This region is popular for modern fishery occupation. There are iron, copper, petrol mines also. The population density is very high. Most of the people are Buddhists. This region is rich in culture being the centre of ancient civilization. 196 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 9

f) Middle West Asia: The economic status and lifestyle in this region is not satisfactory due to extreme climate. Agriculture and industries are not developed in the countries of this region like Western China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, etc. Animal husbandry is the main occupation. Food crop is produced in little amount. The lifestyle is nomadic type. KEY TERMS Ore : a naturally occurring solid material from which a metal or valuable mineral can be extracted Mica : a shiny silicate mineral with a layered structure Potential : having or showing the capacity to develop into something in the future Synthetic fibres : a substance made by chemical synthesis, especially to imitate a natural product Evaluation Exercises Activity Given below is the map of Asia with distribution of minerals. What are the advantages of coal, iron, natural gas and petrol? What is necessary to promote factories and industries? Discuss. I I 197 N Coal I Iron Natural Gas Exercise Short answer questions: 1. What are steppe and taiga? Write their economic importance. Our Earth

2. Which part of Asia is densely populated and which one is thinly populated? Why? Give reasons. 3. Make a list of any eight landlocked countries of Asia. 4. What are the differences in the economic and social life of South West Asia and South Asia? 5. Give geographical reasons: a. Eastern region of Asia receives enough rainfall whereas the Western part remains dry. b. There is plenty of rainfall in Singapore and Indonesia throughout the year. c. The fishery occupation is well developed in Japan. d. The density of population is high in South Asia. Long answer questions: 1. Identify the various types of economic activities and social life of Asia and describe them in brief. 2. Insert the following facts in the outline maps of Asia: a. Places: Tibetan Plateau, Mt. Everest, Thar Desert, Gobi Desert, Riyadh, Kabul, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Mongolia, Delhi, Beijing, Tokyo b. Rivers: Euphrates, Lena, Mekong, Irrawaddy, Ganges, Hwang Ho, Yangtze c. Lakes and seas: Lake Baikal, Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea, Caspian Sea d. Mountains: Himalayas, Kunlun and Tie Shan, Karakoram, Suleiman, Elburz Project Work Prepare a detailed chart on Asia. Include all the subjects given in the column below. Your textbook, Atlas, library books, newspaper, magazines and your general knowledge can be useful tools to complete your project work. Include photos and pictures where possible and necessary. Discuss about the chart in the class. Region Countries Climate Natural Agriculture Minerals Types of Density of vegetation / people/ Population The Northern Life Style Region Industries The South- West Region The Southern Region The South- East Region The Eastern Region Middle West Region 198 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 9

ASIA - Physical Our Earth 199

ASIA : Political Map N 200 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 9