Exploring Our World: People, Places, and Cultures

Chapter 22: Physical Geography of South Asia

Web Activity Lesson Plans

Introduction
In this chapter, students learned about the physical geography of South Asia and how geography affects the culture, economy, and settlement of the region. Some geographic factors have played a major role in the development of civilizations. Students will work on a geographic Web site that contains information about the Hindu Kush mountain system and the Khyber Pass. Two articles and a map allow the students to answer questions about this region and analyze the impact of the Khyber Pass on Afghanistan’s culture and economy.

Lesson Description
Students will visit a geography Web site. On this Web site, they will read two articles that discuss the impact of the Hindu Kush on Afghanistan and Pakistan. Then the students will answer questions relating to those articles. Finally, the students will interact with a map that shows the borders of both countries, enforcing the fact that Afghanistan is reliant on the Khyber Pass to trade goods to Pakistan and the Far East. This lesson will help students understand the importance of the Khyber Pass to Afghanistan’s culture and economy.

Instructional Objectives

1. The learner will be able to discuss aspects of the nation of Afghanistan.
2. The learner will be able to understand the relationship of Afghanistan and Pakistan and the role of the Hindu Kush mountain system in both nations.
3. The learner will be able to analyze the importance of the Hindu Kush and the Khyber Pass to Afghanistan’s culture and economy.

Student Web Activity Answers

1. It is south of the Hindu Kush.
2. It has been used for trade and war, while isolating the people who are already there, making the population very diverse.
3. It lies north of the Indus River.
4. Mount Everest and K2 or Karakoram
5. Afghanistan is landlocked – or lacks direct access to water.