1. China, Mongolia, and Taiwan
World Geography Today
5/30/2018
China, Mongolia, and Taiwan
Preview
Section 1: Natural Environments
Section 2: History and Culture
Section 3: The Region Today
Chapter Wrap-Up
Chapter 27

2. Section 1: Natural Environments
Read to Discover
What are the major landforms and rivers in China, Mongolia, and Taiwan?
Which climate types are found in the region?
What are China’s main natural resources?

3. Section 1: Natural Environments
Landforms and Rivers
China
Mountains—Himalayas, Kunlun Shan, Tian Shan, Altay Shan, Greater Khingan Range
Plateaus and basins—Plateau of Tibet, Tarim Basin, Turpan Depression
Plains and river valleys—Coastal plain, Red (Sichuan) Basin, North China Plain, Manchurian Plain
Major rivers—Huang, Chang, Xi
Mongolia—Mongolian Plateau, Gobi Desert
Taiwan—High mountains in east; flatter area in west

4. Section 1: Natural Environments
Question
What types of climate are found in the various regions of China, Mongolia, and Taiwan?

5. Section 1: Natural Environments
Climate Types in China, Mongolia, and Taiwan
Region
Climate Type
Humid subtropical
Southeastern China and Taiwan
Humid continental
Northeastern China
Western China
Highland
North-central China and Mongolia
Semiarid and arid

6. Section 1: Natural Environments
Climates
Monsoon system has major impact; eastern third of China receives most rainfall
Mild humid subtropical—Southeastern China, Taiwan
Humid continental—Northeastern China; warm humid summers and cold dry winters
Dry highland—Western China, Tibet; cold, rain shadow in Taklimakan Desert
Semiarid and arid—North-central China and Mongolia; extreme temperatures (high elevation and latitudes)

7. Section 1: Natural Environments
Resources
Minerals—Top producer of coal, lead, tin, tungsten; also iron ore, bauxite, gold, other metals
Energy—Oil, natural gas, hydroelectric power (Three Gorges Dam)
Soils—Wide variety, but only 10 percent arable; nomadic herding, ducks, peanuts, rice, citrus fruits, tea, sugarcane, wheat, sorghum, millet, soybeans
Fishing, aquaculture; silk production

8. Section 2: History and Culture
Read to Discover
What are some important events in the region’s early history?
What major political events have affected the region’s modern history?
What are some features of Chinese culture?

9. Section 2: History and Culture
Early History
First dynasty, the Shang, emerged along Chang River, 1700s B.C.
Qin, the first imperial dynasty, began Great Wall in 200s B.C.
Han dynasty (202 B.C.–A.D. 220) built great empire.
After period of decline, Chinese power returned in 600s under T’ang and Sung.
Mongols conquered China by 1279.

10. Section 2: History and Culture
Modern Political Events
Europeans set up trade colonies beginning in 1557.
China lost wars and territory to European powers in 1800s.
Sun Yat-sen formed Republic of China in 1912.
Japan seized Manchuria, then occupied eastern China during World War II.
After the war, Communists under Mao took over; Nationalists fled to Taiwan.

11. Section 2: History and Culture
Modern Political Events (continued)
Mao’s Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution brought decline and chaos.
China moved toward modernization and market economy under Deng Xiaoping.
Leaders crushed pro-democracy movement in 1989.

12. Section 2: History and Culture
Question
What are some of the key elements of Chinese culture?

13. Section 2: History and Culture
Elements of Chinese Culture
Language
Mandarin is the official language, but many dialects are spoken.
The written language uses some characters called pictograms.
Major Religions and Belief Systems
Buddhism
Taoism emphasizes living a simple life in harmony with nature.
Confucianism centers on family loyalty, duty, and education.
Artistic Traditions
Poetry; calligraphy; landscape painting; pottery, especially porcelain; wooden houses built on stone foundations, tiled roofs that curve upward

14. Section 2: History and Culture
Cultural Features
Han Chinese form majority of population.
Mandarin is the main language.
Major religions are Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism.
Minority groups mainly live along borders and in west; maintain distinct cultures.
Most people live in eastern regions, especially coast and river valleys.

15. Section 2: History and Culture
Cultural Features (continued)
Migration from rural areas is causing rapid urbanization.
Great art traditions include architecture, literature, calligraphy, music, painting, and pottery.
Chinese food is highly varied and has spread around the world.
Diet is based on rice, noodles, bread, tofu, vegetables, pork, poultry, duck, seafood, tea.

16. Section 3: The Region Today
Read to Discover
What are China’s major regions?
What is Mongolia like today?
What is Taiwan’s relationship with China?

17. Section 3: The Region Today
Major Regions of China
Southern China—Most productive economic region, with a large percentage of the population; “China’s rice bowl”; Shanghai, largest city in China; Special Economic Zones
Northern China—Includes North China Plain and Beijing (capital); dams for irrigation and hydroelectricity along the Huang River
Northeastern China—Formerly called Manchuria; rich in resources; nomadic herding common
Western China—Includes Tibet and Muslim Turk regions; dry, high, and cold; herders and irrigation farmers; Dalai Lama lives in exile

18. Section 3: The Region Today
Question
What are some important geographic facts about Mongolia?

19. Section 3: The Region Today Mongolia: Geographic Facts
Area
More than twice as big as Texas
Population
2.6 million (least population density in the world)
Capital
Ulaanbaatar
Main Religion
Tibetan Buddhism
Major Resources
Coal, copper, oil
Economic Activity
Herding livestock—people outnumbered by livestock
Industries
Processed foods, clothing, footwear, paper
Major Challenges
Mongolia faces food shortages and a shortage of water resources. Its isolated and landlocked location make it difficult to attract investment and economic aid.

20. Section 3: The Region Today
Taiwan vs. China
Taiwan is one of Asia’s richest and most industrialized countries.
Exports include computers, scientific instruments, and sports equipment.
China claims Taiwan as a province; Taiwan claims to be the legitimate government of China.
Economic interdependence draws them closer, but political and economic differences remain.

21. Chapter Wrap-Up Understanding the Main Ideas
World Geography Today
5/30/2018
Chapter Wrap-Up Understanding the Main Ideas
1. How diverse are China’s natural environments? Explain your answer.
2. Why is there a growing concern in China over a lack of water resources?
3. During which dynasty did distinctive Chinese culture traits such as the use of chopsticks and the early use of money develop?
4. How did Mao’s Great Leap Forward cause an environmental disaster?
5. Which region of China is known as China’s rice bowl?
Chapter 27