Geography of China

Satellite View of China

China has the most people in the world. One quarter of the worlds population, over a billion people, make China their home. China has the most people in the world. One quarter of the worlds population, over a billion people, make China their home. China is the third biggest country, next to Russia and Canada. China is the third biggest country, next to Russia and Canada. Its history dates back four thousand years. This makes China the oldest civilized country. Its history dates back four thousand years. This makes China the oldest civilized country. China also has one of the worlds hottest desert, called the Taklimakan Desert. The world’s highest mountains are the Himalayas, found on the border of China and Nepal. The tallest of these is Mt. Everest. China also has one of the worlds hottest desert, called the Taklimakan Desert. The world’s highest mountains are the Himalayas, found on the border of China and Nepal. The tallest of these is Mt. Everest. The Chinese Grand Canal is the longest canal in the world. The largest structure ever built is the Great Wall of China. The Chinese Grand Canal is the longest canal in the world. The largest structure ever built is the Great Wall of China.

China vs. the U. S. in Size China United States

Comparing China & the U. S. China United States Size 3.7 million square miles 3.6 million square miles Main physical barrier HimalayasRockies Main River Yangtze / East - West Mississippi / North – South Population East Coast Connectivity problems North - South East - West

China – Step by Step Geography of China in 3 huge steps. Geography of China in 3 huge steps.

Top Step: South Western China Enormous mountains and the largest plateaus Enormous mountains and the largest plateaus Tibet – roof of the world Tibet – roof of the world Over 4000 meters high Over 4000 meters high Very cold, frost free days are usually less than 50 per year. Very cold, frost free days are usually less than 50 per year. Mountains cover 1/3 of the land Mountains cover 1/3 of the land Himalayan Mountains - largest mountain range. Himalayan Mountains - largest mountain range. Mt. Everest - world’s tallest mountain Mt. Everest - world’s tallest mountain Over 8848 meters tall Over 8848 meters tall Is Mt. Everest still growing? Is Mt. Everest still growing?

Mountains & Peaks Tian Shan Altai Mts. Greater Khingan Kunlun Shan Himalayan Mts.

Check for Understanding 1. How many steps are there in China’s geography? 2. What is the roof top of the world? 3. What covers 1/3 of the land? 4. What is the world’s largest mountains? 5. What is the world’s tallest mountain?

2 nd Step: Central China Smaller mountain ranges and huge deserts Smaller mountain ranges and huge deserts Mountains: Qilian Shan, Qun Ling, Kunlun Mountains: Qilian Shan, Qun Ling, Kunlun 2 major river systems originate from the Kunlun Mountains. 2 major river systems originate from the Kunlun Mountains. Yellow River Yellow River Yangtze River Yangtze River

Bodies of Water Huang-He River Y e l l o w S e a Yangtze River Pacific Ocean Amur River Xi River South China Sea Sea of Japan

Rivers Yellow River: aka Huang He Yellow River: aka Huang He One of the worlds largest water system One of the worlds largest water system Yangtze: aka Chang Jian, aka Yangtzi, aka Chang, aka the Great River! Yangtze: aka Chang Jian, aka Yangtzi, aka Chang, aka the Great River! 4 th longest river in the world 4 th longest river in the world Flood Waters: Friend or Foe? Flood Waters: Friend or Foe? Provide fish, silt to fertilize land, transportation, rich soil Provide fish, silt to fertilize land, transportation, rich soil

The Yangtze River

2nd step continued North West: great mountains enclose desert basins Taklimakan: desert temp. is so extreme that rain evaporates before it touches the ground. Sandstorms last for days Gobi Desert: degrees Celsius How many degrees Fahrenheit? Not sand, mostly rock and gravel 113 degrees

Deserts & Plateaus Tibetan Plateau Taklamakan Desert Gobi Desert

The Great Wall of China Built during Ming Dynasty ( ) The modern estimate is 8850 km (5500 miles) Is a series of fortifications made of stone and bricks

Check for Understanding 1. What does the 2 nd step contain? 2. What is the Yellow River? 3. What are the two deserts? 4. How hot does it get in the Gobi? 5. How long is the Great Wall of China?

3 rd Step: Coastal Plains Extend along the coast of the South and East China Seas. Extend along the coast of the South and East China Seas. Very Fertile land – good for Farming Very Fertile land – good for Farming Weather is warm and humid Weather is warm and humid 90% of China’s population live in this area. 90% of China’s population live in this area. Major Cities: Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai Major Cities: Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai

Valleys / Plains / Basins Manchurian Plain North China Plain Tarim Basin Sichuan Basin

North China Plain

Completed Topographic Map Huang-He River Yellow Sea Yangtze River Pacific Ocean Amur River Xi River South China Sea Sea of Japan Tian Shan Altai Mts. Greater Khingan Kunlun Shan Himalayan Mts. Tibetan Plateau Taklamakan Desert Gobi Desert Manchurian Plain North China Plain Tarim Basin Sichuan Basin

Check for Understanding 1. Where is the 3 rd step of China? 2. What is good for farming? 3. What is the weather like? 4. How much of the population lives in this area? 5. What are the major cities?