Case Study- Ganges Delta

Question 1

How many rivers flow through the Ganges delta?

Answer 1

Large number

Question 2

Give advantages of living on the Ganges delta

Answer 2

Delta has av temp of 20 degrees, rich alluvial soils and lots of water- helps produce three different crops a year- therefore a high population density can be supported.

Many farmers can also earn a living from producing the crops.

Tourist places near delta offer employment opportunities

Numerous ponds and fields flooded during the monsoon allow people to farm fish and shrimps for balanced diet. Or to be sold for income

Question 3

Give disadvantages of living on the Ganges delta

Answer 3

When delta is hit by storms the shrimp can’t be fished because it’s flooded

Water supply contaminated due to bigger floods, destroys homes, wash away possessions and food supples.

Poor families suffer from dehydration and water borne diseases such as diarrhoea and malnutrition.

River floods can kill- 2004 flooding , 800 people killed

Difficult and expensive to transport goods across delta as the roads and railways lines have to be built on embankments above the delta level.

Question 4

List the three main conditions needed for the formation of a delta

Answer 4

River carries large load
Shallow
Calm

Question 5

Describe where the sediment carried by the river Ganges has come from.

Answer 5

Himalayan mountains from soil erosion

Question 6

How long is the Ganges river

Answer 6

2500 km

Question 7

The Ganges delta covers an area of?

Answer 7

100,000 km squared