1. Physical Geography

2.  Landforms China can be divided into two parts: the mountains and plateaus of the west, and the plains and hills of the east. The east contains the majority of the population, as the land is conducive to farming. The mountainous barriers of the west kept China isolated for millennia. The Gobi desert, in north-central China, is the source of frequent dust storms in the region. The Himalaya separate China from South Asia.

3.  Water Systems The Plateau of Tibet is the source of China’s major rivers that flow eastward toward the Pacific Ocean. The Huang He (Yellow River) is filled with loess, a fine, nutrient-rich topsoil that makes the North China Plain ideal for farming. The Chang Jiang (Yangtze River) is a major transportation route and home to theThree Gorges Dam. The Xi (Pearl River) serves rapidly developing areas in China, like the port of Guangzhou.

4.  Climates, Biomes, and Resources Climates are extremely diverse, ranging from tropical in the south to subarctic in the north. The monsoons, or seasonal winds, direct the weather patterns of China. Typhoons, large violent storms, threaten the region between August and late October. China has a wealth of mineral resources and vast petroleum reserves. Not only the world’s top producer of rice, China leads in farm output of many crops.

5. Physical Geography

6.  Landforms Although there are 6,800 islands in its archipelago, a group or chain of islands, Japan consists of four main islands: Hokkaidō, Honshū, Shikoku, and Kyūshū. Most Japanese live along the coastal lowlands. Japan’s location in the Ring of Fire results in volcanic activity and frequent earthquakes. When earthquakes occur, a major tsunami, or huge wave, can form, causing massive property damage and many casualties.

7.  Water Systems Japan has short, swift rivers that flow from the mountains and plunge over cliffs, often as stunning waterfalls. Japanese rivers cross alluvial plains before emptying into the sea. Increasing demand for water by industry and agriculture remains a challenge. Many of Japan’s coastal lakes were formed when river valleys became dammed by silt or sandbars.

8.  Climates, Biomes, and Resources Overall, Japan has a mild climate with abundant rainfall. The northern latitudes experience a humid continental climate, while further south is a humid, subtropical climate. Most of Japan is forested, and large land mammals and birds still thrive in isolated mountain regions. As an island nation, Japan relies heavily on the sea for food, but is also a leading rice producer.

9. Physical Geography

10.  Landforms The mountainous Korean Peninsula lies between China and Japan. In 1945 the peninsula was split into the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, or North Korea, and the Republic of Korea, or South Korea. North Korea is the more rugged of the two. Many waterways in the region trace their source to the T’aebaek Mountains. Most people live along the lowlands and the coastline in both countries.

11.  Water Systems South Korea is home to the Han River, which flows through its capital Seoul, along with the Kŭm and the Naktong Rivers. North Korea’s longest river is the Yalu, which forms the border between North Korea and China. Large river valleys are important to farming and settlement in both countries. Water levels in the rivers vary throughout the year.

12.  Climates, Biomes, and Resources The Korean Peninsula has a continental climate of cold winters and hot summers. Monsoons bring heavy rains to the peninsula in the summer. Due to deforestation, large predators like tigers and bears are nearly gone from the peninsula. Neither country has much farmland because of the rugged terrain. Rice is the peninsula’s most important crop, and both countries rely heavily on fish and seafood.