6th Social Science
Asia – A Land of Contrasts
I. Answer the following:
1. ‘Asia is a land of contrasts’. Why?
Ans: Asia is the largest of all the continents. Hence it has the greatest variety in terms of physical features, climate, vegetation, wild life, soils, etc. It has the highest mountains, plateaus, vast fertile plains, deserts, river systems and lakes. There is diversity in languages, religions, uneven distribution of population and density. That is why it is often called a land of contrasts.
2. What is the physical setting of Asia?
Ans: The continent of Asia is bounded by oceans on three sides and by land on one side. It is bounded by the Arctic Ocean in the north, the Pacific Ocean in the east and the Indian Ocean in the south. Europe Continent in the west.
The border between Asia and Europe is traditionally drawn as a zig zag line passing down the spine of the Ural mountains, and through the Caspian Sea, Caucasus mountain and the Black Sea.
The boundary separating Asia and Africa is along the Suez canal and the boundary between Asia and Australia is usually placed between the island of New Guinea and Australia.
3. Which are the major physical divisions of Asia?
Ans: On the basis of structure and relief features, Asia can be divided into five major physical divisions.
a) The North-Western Lowlands.
b) The Central Highlands.
c) The Southern Plateaus.
d) The Great Plains of Rivers.
e) The Island Groups.
4. Which are the highest mountains and plateaus in Asia?
Ans: The Himalayas are the highest mountains in Asia, the Yunnan Plateau (South-west of China) is the highest pleateau of Asia.
5. In which season are the rains plentiful in Asia?
Ans: Most of the rainfall in Asia is caused by the Monsoon winds in summer season. In winter, the westerlies cause rainfall in western Asian countries, eastern parts of China, the Philippines, and Malaysia which receive rainfall from tropical cyclones.
6. Which are the major staple food crops of Asia?
Ans: Rice and Wheat.
7. Which is the most important fossil fuel in Asia?
Ans: Coal and Petroleum.
8. Which parts of Asia are very sparsely populated? why?
Ans: The sparsely populated areas includes the northern and eastern parts of Siberia which are very cold, the deserts of Arabia, Iran and Thar in India (too dry) and the highlands of Central Asia.
9. Mention any three major industrial regions of Japan.
Ans: There are four major industrial regions in Japan.
The Keihin Region is the greatest industrial region of Japan. It includes by Tokyo, Kawasaki and Yokohama cities. The important industries are textiles, engineering, shipbuilding, paper and cement.
The Hanshin Region includes Osaka-Kobe- Kyoto. It is dominated by textiles.
The Ise Bay Region spreads around Nogoya city and is dominated by textiles and engineering industries.
The Kita Kyushu Region includes Yawata, Kokura and Mji. The industries are steel, ship-building, machinery, chemicals and textiles.
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