China

Physical Geography China is the 3rd largest country in the world by area. It has a very diverse physical environment with some of the world’s highest mountains, longest rivers, and driest deserts.

Altay Shan Mongolia Gobi Desert Tian Shan China Yellow River North China Plain Plateau of Tibet Yangtze River Red Basin Himalayas Xi River Taiwan

Mountains cover more than 40 percent of China’s land area Mountains cover more than 40 percent of China’s land area. The Himalayas are located along the southwestern border with Nepal and Bhutan. Mount Everest, the world’s highest mountain lies at 29,035 feet on the border of China and Nepal.

The plains and river valleys of eastern China are the most densely populated areas of the country. The major rivers here are the Huang or Yellow River, the Chang or Yangtze River and the Xi River. The Cheng River flows through the fertile Red Basin or the Sichuan Basin. Flooding along the Yellow or Huang He River has killed millions of Chinese throughout China’s long history. In 1931, the deadliest natural disaster on record occurred when the Yellow River flooded its banks and killed as many as 4 million Chinese. Aside from drowning, How might flooding be deadly to humans?

To the north of China lies landlocked Mongolia To the north of China lies landlocked Mongolia. A desert called the Gobi extends from north-central China into Mongolia. Gobi means “waterless place” in Mongolian. Much of the Gobi is bare rock or gravel.

Southeast of China lies the island of Taiwan Southeast of China lies the island of Taiwan. Eastern Taiwan has steep mountains that rise from the Pacific coast. The western part of the island is flatter, sloping toward the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan is located near tectonic plate boundaries, so severe earthquakes threaten the island.

The Asian monsoon system influences climates throughout most of China The Asian monsoon system influences climates throughout most of China. Based on the map above, what part of China receives the most rainfall; which receives the least?

Completed in the summer of 2006, the Three Gorges Dam is home to the world’s largest hydroelectric power plant and is 5 times the length of the Hoover Dam! The reservoir created by the dam will takes many years to fill. China has huge amounts of energy and mineral resources. It is the world’s leading producer of coal, lead, tin, & tungsten. Hydropower is a major energy resource as well. China has just finished the world’s largest dam on the Chang River and is known as the Three Gorges Dam. How will this dam affect settlement patterns and population distributions along the river ?

Chinese History

The Chinese have the longest known continuous history of any culture. 6000 BCE -people began farming along the Chang River. 3000’s BCE- organized society lived in small farming villages along the Huang River, called the Shang Civilization.

The Silk Road was possibly the world’s first “superhighway The Silk Road was possibly the world’s first “superhighway.” It was important part of the historical growth of the world’s global economy, as goods from China and the Far East were traded for western goods from the Middle East and Europe. Why was it called the Silk Road ? Where does silk come from?

During the 200’s BCE China’s first emperor conquered much of eastern China. He ordered the connection of ancient walls as protection against invaders from the north. This would become the Great Wall. Ancient China was ruled by emperors, and their principal residence was the Forbidden City in Beijing. It was only accessible by a limited number of people and the emperor was regarded as god by the Chinese people.

The Qin Dynasty (or Chin) was the first Chinese imperial dynasty, and the term China comes from the Qin. The Han Dynasty helped China’s military power grow as well as helping Chinese culture spread to outside areas. Under the Han, Chinese cities grew rapidly and Chinese art and architecture flourished. Today, ethnic Chinese call themselves “Han” referring to their relation with their ancient ancestors.

Chinese History China was ruled for 2000 years by several Imperial Dynasties Dynasty: succession of rulers from the same family. 1912: Last Emperor Overthrown

Chinese History 1931: Japan invades Manchuria– sets up a puppet government 1912-1949- Civil War breaks out between the Nationalists (Chang Kai-shek) and Communists (Mao Zedong). 1949: Communist Party takes over China under the leadership of Chairman Mao Zedong.

China Under Mao All PRIVATE property was taken over by the GOVERNMENT. The Great Leap Forward Mao’s Economic Plan to help China catch up to western countries Farmers grouped onto Communal Farms and all profits by any business were made illegal HUGE FAILURE

China Under Mao Positive Reforms of Mao Many Chinese freed from cruel property owners Women given full equality Equal Education for all

China Under Mao The Cultural Revolution (1966) Mao’s attempt to remove the “4 Olds” Old Ideas Old Customs Old Culture Old Habits Mao organized the Red Guard to attack anyone who disagreed with his ideas as a result many people “disappear”

1976: Deng Xiaoping came to power. Hu Jintao is the current leader of the Chinese Communist Party. 1976: Deng Xiaoping came to power. Thought some of Mao’s policies had been mistakes and pushed new policies to modernize China’s agriculture, industry and technology. He also worked to move the country toward a market economy.

Chinese History 1989: Tiananmen Square What: 1000s of students gather in Tiananmen Square to protest for increased modernization Government sends in troops to break up protests Estimates between 400-800 killed; possibly more Outcome: China closes to foreign media Government crack down in China on protests

Population 1.2 Billion people live in China Most populated country in the world 70% of the people in China live in farms or small villages– people in villages are considerably poorer than those in cities

Since the 1980’s China has had a “one child policy”, although the government calls it “family planning policy”. The policy includes several methods to control births including heavy propaganda, “family planning” fines, higher taxes in urban areas, and readily available abortions. . What might be some social problems created by this?

Language National Language: Mandarin Chinese A person needs to know 1,500 different characters to be literate in Chinese Over 50,000 exist

CHINESE ECONOMY & CHALLENGES Taiwan is one of Asia’s richest and most industrialized countries. It exports computers, scientific instruments, and sports equipment. Taiwan’s major trading partners are the United States, Japan and China. The per capita GDP of Taiwan is five times that of China. Taipei, is the largest city, financial center, and capital. CHINESE ECONOMY & CHALLENGES

Farming the Primary Economic Activity in rural China Farming the Primary Economic Activity in rural China. Today, many farmers grow and sell their own crops and build their own homes. They do not own the land but lease it from the local government on long-term leases. Agricultural productivity has increased and China is self-sufficient in food.

The table shows US trade, in both exports (goods we sell to countries) and imports (goods we buy from other countries). The numbers you see are in the billions of dollars. A trade deficit occurs when a country is buying more goods from another country than the country is buying from us. Do we have a trade deficit with China? Taiwan?

China has the largest, cheapest workforce in the world and for this reason many American/European companies make factories here in order to take advantage of the inexpensive labor. (OUTSOURCING) Some workers may make only $2 a day and these factories may employ thousands of people working 12 hour shifts in very poor working conditions. These are sometimes called sweatshops.

China has seen an explosion of multi-national corporations since joining the World Trade Organization in 1999. How might workers in the USA and Europe feel about this?

Southern China is the country’s most economically productive region Southern China is the country’s most economically productive region. A large percentage of China’s population lives here. The Chang Delta region is often called China’s “rice bowl”. Farmers here are able to DOUBLE CROP, or grow two rice crops a year, plus a vegetable crop. The Chang Delta is also China’s most populated and industrialized area. The country’s largest city, Shanghai is located here.

Shanghai has about 13 million people, a huge industrial center and a major sea and river port. New skyscrapers are rising as the city rapidly spread outward into farming areas. Further south, lies the former British colony of Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s is a port about a third the size of Rhode Island and has about 7 million people, making it one of the worlds most crowded places. Today it is China’s major seaport and its banking and international trade center.

Shenzen was a village of a few thousand people 10 years ago and is now a city of 10 million! It is one of China’s most successful SEZ’s Where are most of China’s SEZ’s located? Why would they be here and not other places in China? Along the coast of southern China are Special Economic Zones (SEZs) which are designed to attract foreign companies and investment. The SEZs close to Hong Kong have seen rapid economic growth. Areas that were rice fields a few years ago now bustle with factories, high rise building, and new freeways.

Shenzen is not the only city to see explosive growth in China today Shenzen is not the only city to see explosive growth in China today. Many parts of the country are experiencing growth in the industry, manufacturing, service and financial (banking) sectors of the economy. This, however, has come with a price. China is becoming one of the world’s most polluted countries. Air, water and soil pollution has resulted from the rapid industrialization. Many environmental groups see big problems for China in the future if these problems are not addressed.

China has also seen explosive growth in the amount of beef and meat products consumed. Much of it is being produced at CAFO’s, or concentrated animal feeding operations. To raise so much meat requires lots of feed for the animals, and China has had to import soy and even corn from the USA and other countries.