World Geography East Asia Notes

1. World Geography East Asia Notes

3. Physical

4. Mainland • China occupies 81% of East Asia • Also has the world’s largest population • Mongolia – size of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado combined • Population of only 2,400,000

5. Peninsulas and Islands • Korean Peninsula - North Korea – Communist Government - South Korea – Democratic Government • Taiwan – Island that once belonged to mainland China, which still claims it today • Japan- small island nation with large economic power • Hong Kong – Chinese Territory - Hong Kong was Britain’s, but was returned to China’s control in 1997

6. Mountains • Himalayas– Located along the western border of East Asia - World’s highest mountains • Kunlun Mountains - located in west China - source of Huang He (Yellow) and Chang Jiang (Yangtze) rivers • QinlingShandi Mountains - divide northern China from the south

8. Rivers • Huang He (Yellow River)—Located in northern China flows into the Yellow Sea - Called Yellow River because it carries tons of loess ( yellowish brown topsoil)

10. Rivers • Chang Jiang(Yangtze River) – Asia’s longest river - Flows through China and empties into the East China Sea - major trade route, but floods often cause great damage • Japan and Korea have many short swift flowing rivers

12. Water Resources • China’s long river systems are important to its economy - provide crop irrigation, hydroelectric power, transportation

14. Water Resources • Three Gorges Dam on Chang Jiang will control floods & create power (world’s biggest) - Negative effectsare that one to two million people will have to move - hundreds of historical sites & factories will be submerged (Water Pollution?) - some species (alligator, river dolphin, others) may vanish -Dam could cost $75 billion rather than original $11 billion estimated

15. Water Resources • Sea is important food source for East Asia - Japan has one of world’s largest fishing industries

16. Resources of East Asia • East Asia is rich in Natural resources, but has uneven distribution - China, Mongolia, North Korea have natural & mineral resources - Japan, South Korea, Taiwan have limited natural resources • Forests -Abundant in China, Japan, Taiwan, North and South Korea - Japan reserves forests by buying timber from other regions • China has large petroleum, coal, natural gas reserves (makes it self-sufficient)

17. Climates Desert- Gobi Desert located in Mongolia is often cold and windy

20. Climates • Subarctic - Small subarctic zones on Mongolia’s and China’s Russian borders • Humid Continental - northeastern China, northern Japan, North Korea, & northern South Korea • Humid Subtropical - Southeastern China, southern South Korea, south Japan, north Taiwan

21. Climates • Tropical climate zone in East Asia is small - strip of land along China’s southeastern coast - island of Hainan, southern tip of Taiwan • Typhoon—tropical storm that occurs in western Pacific

23. Climate Review Questions Which East Asian country has the world’s largest population? What type of landform is Taiwan? What type of Landform are North & South Korea? What are the world’s highest mountains & where are they located in relation to East Asia? What is Asia’s longest River? What river is also known as he Yellow River? Where would you find a subarctic climate in East Asia? On what river is the Three Gorges dam being built? What are the positive effects that the Three Gorges dam will have on China? What are the negative effects the Three Gorges Dam will have on China?

24. China

25. History • Oldest continuous civilization - A settled society for 4,000 years -Stone Age cultures later ruled by dynasties—series of family rulers • 1200s - arrived Europeans (Marco Polo) • 1800s- European powers sought access to Chinese markets (Treaties) • 1949 China became communist - Mao Zedong ruled mainland People’s Republic

27. China’s Rural and Industrial Economies • China is largely rural society & agriculturally self-sufficient - river valleys have rich soil; 60% of workers on farms • Can only farm 13% of land due to mountains, deserts - grows enough to feed population • The Industrial Economy - industrial growth stunted under planned economy through 1970s -1980s open marketplace created fast-growing economy

29. Culture • Chinese Inventions - Paper, printing, gunpowder, compass, porcelain, silk cloth • Confucianism – inspired by Chinese philosopher Confucius (551–479 B.C.) - orderly, educated society has respect for past, ancestors - children obey parents; parents obey government, emperor • Taoism—from Tao-teChing book of Lao-tzu teachings (500s B.C.) - preserve, restore harmony in individual, universe • Indian Buddhism grew in China & was influenced by Confucianism & Taoism

31. China’s Population • One-fifth of world’s people live in China • population is about 1.3 billion • Many of China’s 22 provinces are bigger than most countries -70% of people live in 12 eastern provinces

35. Health Care • China has provided health care for huge populace since 1950 • China has dual strategy in developing health-care system • People use traditional herbal remedies & acupuncture • Doctors use modern medicine, Western drugs & surgery - most cities have hospitals - village clinics have trained medical workers (“barefoot doctors”)

37. China Review Questions What does Confucianism believe that all children should do? What does Taoism believe is important? What is a dynasty? Who was the leader of Communist China until 1976?

38. Mongolia

39. History • Mongols were nomadic herders until Genghis Khan conquered Central Asia • 1227 - Genghis Khan died & successors expanded empire • 1300s - Empire broke up

40. History • 1600s - China gained control of Mongolia - 1911 - Mongolians achieved independence • 1924 - Mongolia became Communist - remained Communist until 1989 (fall of USSR) • Mongolia now moving toward democracy

41. Economic Prospects for Mongolia • Many people herd & manage livestock (sheep, goats, camels, horses, cattle) - nomadic herding was economic base for centuries - cashmere industry uses soft wool of local goats • Developing industries while making difficult shift to market economy - Soviets guided economy for 70 years (state owned factories)

43. Daily Life in Mongolia • Nomads once guided animals from grassland to grassland • Nomads live in tents called yurts, made of felt, leather - yurts are even found in capital of Ulaanbaatar • Many still raise sheep, cattle, goats; some are still nomadic - most live on farms and ranches with small villages in center

46. Mongolia Review Questions What do goats in Mongolia produce? What is a yurt & in what East Asian country are they used?

47. Tawain

48. Taiwan’s Link to China • Prehistoric people migrated to Taiwan from China, southeast Asia • 1949 - Chinese Nationalists lost to Communists & fled to island - established Republic of China (not recognized by China)