1. China

2. Important Facts About China China is a Communist nation 2010 estimated population of China is 1,338,612,968 ranking first in the world China is the world’s oldest continuous civilization China has one of the world’s fastest growing economies Although they have a large industrial economy, most Chinese live in rural areas and grow their own food

3. Religions of China Buddhism Confucianism Developed from the Chinese philosopher Confucius Believed children should obey their parents and obey the government

4. Religions of China Taoism based on the teaching of Lao-tzu, who lived in the sixth century B.C. Believe in the importance of individual harmony Believe the government should leave people alone

5. Population Patterns China’s estimated population in 2000 was 1.3 billion people China now has a One Child Policy Married couples are allowed to only have one child (Exceptions are rural families and minorities) Violations of this policy are enforced by fines This policy has led to abortions as far along as 8 or 9 months in a pregnancy, the 4-2-1 problem where the single child (1) is responsible for his parents (2) and his grandparents (4) There is also an effect on the female population as most families prefer to have boys

6. North Korea and South Korea

7. A Divided Peninsula After World War 2, the northern part of Korea was taken over by the Soviet Union and the Southern portion was supported by the United States The Korean war from 1950-1953 was a fight to combat the Communism in North Korea and ended with Korea being split in to two nations

8. North Korea North Korea is still a Communist Government Their leader is Kim Jung-il President George W. Bush labeled North Korea as part of the “Axis of Evil” and “an Outpost of Tyranny” after 9-11 North Korea still actively pursues a Nuclear Weapons Program

9. South Korea South Korea has a Presidential Republic The people of South Korea experience much more freedom than the people of North Korea South Korea was host to the 1988 Summer Olympics and the 2002 FIFA World Cup

10. South Korea South Korea is an economic powerhouse, home to such companies as: Hyundai/Kia Samsung LG

11. Japan

12. Japan is the Land of the Rising Sun, as portrayed in their flag Their major religions are Shinto, Buddhism, and Christianity 10% of the world’s active volcanoes are in Japan

13. Japan’s Economy After World War II, Japan transformed itself into an economic powerhouse 75% of the population lives in cities Manufacturing and Trade are the heart of Japan’s economy

14. Life In Japan Students attend school 6 days a week and have only a 6 week summer vacation People in Japan work so much, there is a word for dying from too much work, Karoshi

15. Australia

16. Australia was originally a penal colony- basically a prison island for the people of Great Britain The Aboriginal people migrated to Australia from Asia about 40,000 years ago

17. Rabbit Problems In 1859, Thomas Austin released 24 rabbits into Australia so he could hunt them A single pair of rabbits can have up to 184 other rabbits in just 18 months By 1900, there were over 1 billion rabbits in Australia

18. Australia -1/5 of the land is desert -Australians love meat pies -the zoo has no cages! -the koala, emu, kookaburra and kangaroo originated in Australia -more venomous snakes than any other continent HERE ARE SOME FUN FACTS ON GEOGRAPHY: -no part of Australia is more then 1000km from the ocean -Australia has the worlds largest cattle station -90% of Australians prefer the coastal cities -Australians from Queensland are called "banana benders" -people from Western Australia are called "sandgropers" -Tasmania has the cleanest air in the world! -the Australian Alps get more snow then Switzerland! -Australia is the lowest and flattest continent