1. East Asia
Ch. 27

3. China dominates the region in size and population.
East Asia is marked by mountain ranges, plateaus, deserts, and islands where natural resources are unevenly distributed.
The same landforms affect climate and vegetation.
Monsoons bring seasonal weather patterns, which are also influenced by ocean currents.

4. Land & Sea
The People's Republic of China has the world's largest population and comprises about 80 percent of East Asia's land area
Peninsulas, Islands, & Seas
Many peninsulas & islands dot the westernmost Pacific Ocean
South China Sea stretches from Taiwan to the Philippines
Peninsula of SE Asia carries 1/3 of the worlds shipping trade
The Ring of Fire
Three tectonic plates meet along an arc of islands east of China and cause frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Undersea earthquakes can cause tsunamis.
Circle of seismic activity that borders the Pacific ocean

6. Mountains, Highlands & Lowlands
East Asian Mountains
Mountain ranges and highlands mark the inland regions of East Asia
The Pamirs, the Kunlun Shan, the Tian Shan
Japan & Taiwan have mountainous interiors
Mt. Fuji
China’s Plateaus, Basins, & Deserts
The Plateau of Tibet in SW China
Highest plateau in the region (15,000 ft)
Mongolian Plateau
Tarim Basin: between China’s inland moutnain ranges
Taklimakan Desert (to the west) & the Gobi Desert (to the north)
Sichwan Basin: fertile area between the Plateau of Tibet & N. China Plain
North China Plain: mild climate & long growing season

8. River Systems
China’s major rivers; the Yellow, Yangtze, and Xi Rivers-begin in the Plateau of Tibet and provide transportation routes, hydroelectric power, and fertile soil in their basins
The Huang He
“Yellow River”, gets its name from topsoil
Irrigates & deposits soil in the N. China Plain
Named China’s sorrow for the flooding
Yangtze River
Longest river in Asia (3,965 mi)
Empties at Shanghai
Xi River
“West River”
Creates huge fertile delta near S. China Sea
Connects Hangzhou to Beijing through the Grand Canal

9. River Systems Rivers in Japan & Korea The power of Wind & Water
Japan & Korea have short swift rivers
Provide hydroelectric power
North Korea’s Yalu River forms its border with China
The power of Wind & Water
Feng Shui:
Guides architects, contractors & decorators to design & build structures that harmonize with surrounding landforms

11. Natural Resources
East Asia's mineral and agricultural resources are unevenly distributed
China’s large land area contains the greatest share & widest range of mineral resources
Iron ore, tungsten, tin, gold, oil, coal
10% of China’s land is suitable for farming
South Korea’s prime farmland produces 2 crops a year (rice & barley)
Mongolia & Japan have limited farmland
Taiwan has hardwood forests
Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, & coastal China support deep sea fishing
Seafood farming has become a major industry in E. Asia

13. Latitude and physical features, such as mountain barriers, highlands, and coastal regions, shape East Asia's climate

14. Climate Regions Mid-Latitude Climates Desert & Steppe Climate
SE quarter of E. Asia has a humid subtropical climate
NE quarter has a humid continental climate
Eastern half of the regions is filled with mixed forests
Bamboo, tea, & mulberry
Desert & Steppe Climate
Mongolia & inland N. China are dry due to surrounding mountains
Gobi & Taklimakan desert are cold & dry
Highlands Climates
The higher the elevation the lower the temp

15. Climate Regions Tropical Rain Forest The Roots of Rice & Soy
The island of Hainan shares a tropical rain forest climate with Taiwan
Temps are warm with heavy rainfall in the summer
The Roots of Rice & Soy
The Chinease have cultivvated rice and soy for 7,000 years
2 of their staple foods

17. Monsoons Seasonal weather patterns are dominated by the monsoons,
Monsoons bring over 80 percent of the region's annual rainfall during the summer months and cold, arctic air during the winter

19. Ocean Currents Ocean currents influence the climate of Japan.
The Warm Japan Current brings moisture & warm temps
The Kuril Current brings cold winds from the Bearing Sea
The interaction of ocean currents and monsoons can give rise to typhoons.

21. THE END!