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China

China. Population Patterns. The People 92% ( 1.3 billion people) of Chinese people belong to the Han Ethnic group named for a powerful ancient ruling family Han rulers developed a culture whose influence has lasted to this day 8% belongs to about 55 different ethnic groups

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China

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  1. China

  2. Population Patterns • The People • 92% (1.3 billion people) of Chinese people belong to the Han • Ethnic group named for a powerfulancient rulingfamily • Han rulers developeda culture whose influencehas lasted to this day • 8% belongs to about 55different ethnic groups • Non-Chinese ethnicgroups have their own separatehistories and cultures • Tibet- Buddhistkingdom • China took over in the 1950s

  3. Population Patterns • Taiwan- islandcountry off of China’s southerncoast • Most people descended from Chinesewho migratedto the island several hundredyears ago • Aborigines-related to peoples of SE Asia and Pacificregion • Mongolia- Most are ethnic Mongolians • Mongol ancestorsruled the largest land empire (China to E Europe) • Today they’re dividedby separate linguistic groups

  4. Population Patterns • Density and Distribution • More than 90% of the people live on 1/6 of the land in China • Most live in the fertile valleysand plainsof the three big rivers: • Huang He, Chang Jiang, and Xi River • Big cities: Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin, and Guangzhou- lie in river valleys or coastal plains • Mongolia’s stepperegions have pop. density of 4people/sq. mile

  5. Population Patterns • Urban Growth • Most live on farms, but millions continue to migrateto the cities • Led to overcrowdingin some cites • Led to farm-laborshortages, so China built new agricultural towns in remoteareas • Provides more social services and better qualityof life • Gov’t has tried to limitpop. growth • 1979-China began a policythat allowed each familyto have no more than 1child • Not strictly enforcedanymore- pop. is growingagain

  6. History and Government • Early History • China is a culture hearth- center from which ideasand practicesspread to surrounding areas • China’s culture began around 5,000 yrs ago • Historical recordswere first kept under the Shangdynasty (ruling family) • Took power around 1600BC in N. China plain • Faced rebellionsby local lords, attacks by nomads, and natural disasters • When gov’t was stableit fended these threatsoff • Whenever a dynastyended, the Chinese said they lost “the mandate of heaven.”

  7. History and Government • After the Shang, the Zhoudynasty ruled for about 800yrs • Culturespread, tradegrew, and they began making irontools • Confuciuslived during this time • Confucianism- a system of thoughtbased on disciplineand moralconduct • Lao-Tzu-helped form Taoism • Philosophy of living in simplicityand harmonywith nature

  8. History and Government • Around 200 BC, Qin Shi Huang Diunited all of China and built the first section of the Great Wall (to ward off attacksfrom C. Asia) • Han and Tang- tradersand missionariestook Chinese culture to all of E Asia • Ming- Zheng He (explorer) reached to coast of E Africa • Qing- ruled from mid-1600s to early 1900s • By then, Westerncountries had set up shippingroutes, hoping to share in the region’s rich trade in silkand tea • 1800s- Europeans used powerful warshipsto forceChina to open their ports • These were called Spheres of Influence

  9. History and Government • Modern China • 1911- a revolutionled by Sun Yat-sen ended the rule of emperorsin China • 1927- Chaing Kai-shekformed the Nationalist gov’t of the Republic of China • At the same time, Mao Zedong (communist) gained support from farmers • After years of civil war, the Communistswon power in 1949 • Nationalists fled to Taiwan • 1950s- large gov’t owned farmsreplaces smallerones • New farms failedto produce, though • Millions diedand economy crumbled • 1970s- Deng Xiaoping allowed private ownershipof businesses and farms • Even welcomed foreignbusinesses and technology • 1990s- Communistparty still rules, but they had pressure to modernize • This opened up their economyto free market influences • Today, it is more socialistthan communist

  10. Culture • Education and Health Care • In the past, only the wealthylearned to readand write • Communist gov’t has pushed to increaseliteracy • 1960s- Cultural Revolution, literacy suffered a setback • Schoolsand factories closed • People believed to be enemiesof Mao Zedong’s communism were persecuted • After his death, they refocused on educationand literacyhas steadily risen • Better health care has increased life expectancy to 70 yrs • Pay for treatment, but economic reformsmean fewer promised services

  11. Culture • Language and Religion • Most speak Mandarin • Use ideograms(pictures or symbols that stand for ideas) • Communistgov’t discourages religiouspractices, and many define themselves as atheist • Others still hold traditional faiths, like Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism • Tibet- restrict Buddhistpopulation • Face arrest for owning photos of the Dalai Lama

  12. Culture • The Arts • Ancient poetrydescribed human relationships and beautyin nature • Operauses elaborate costumes, music, acrobatics, and martial arts • Tang dynasty- made fine porcelain(china) • Cultural Revolution tried to wipe out traditionalarts, but they are slowly returning

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