1. CHINA
Human Geography

2. CHINA History and Government
Dynasties, or ruling families, were believed to rule under the “Mandate of Heaven,” or approval from the gods.
Confucius (Kongfuzi), China’s most famous teacher and philosopher, founded an ideology based on discipline and proper moral conduct.
Daoism is still practiced today and stresses harmony with nature and simple living.
The Communists took power in China in 1949, but Taiwan and Mongolia are more democratic.

3. CHINA Population Patterns
The Ethnic Han Chinese comprise 92 percent of the population of China and speak Mandarin.
90 percent of China’s population lives on one-sixth of the land.
Mongolia’s population is primarily ethnic Mongolian and has a low population density.
Urban migration is rapidly increasing in China.
China’s one-child policy has reduced the growth rate but also causes problems.

4. CHINA Society and Culture Today
The government has promoted efforts to increase literacy across all social strata.
The government exerts power over religious and personal freedoms.
China’s rich artistic heritage of poetry, porcelain, and opera are experiencing a resurgence.
The family is the most important social unit.
The one-child rule, along with the preference for boys, has resulted in the death of many female infants through purposeful neglect.

5. CHINA Economic Activities
China’s large agricultural workforce produces the most rice, wheat, and tea worldwide.
China is the world’s largest exporter and uses its undervalued Yuan to keep export prices down.
Human rights issues are a troubling concern, as those who speak out are treated harshly.
Former British colony Hong Kong is in a Special Economic Zone, meaning it welcomes foreign investment with minimal governmental interference.

6. Japan
Human Geography

7. Japan History and Government China and Korea influenced early Japan.
In the 1100s, warring armies brought about the Shogunate, with samurai, or professional warriors, supporting the shogun’s rule.
Japan remained isolated until the 1800s.
During the Meiji Restoration, society, government, and the economy rapidly modernized.
After its defeat in World War II, Japan emerged as a democracy and global economic power.

8. Japan Population Patterns
99 percent of Japanese belong to the same ethnic group.
Most Japanese live along the coasts or in valleys or plains.
Urban populations are high, with approximately 80 percent of the population living in urban areas.
Extreme urbanization affects all aspects of Japanese life, including architecture, housing, transportation, and daily activities.

9. Japan Society and Culture Today
The written form of the Japanese language is partly derived from Chinese, and has also incorporated English words.
Shinto, Japan’s predominant religion, emphasizes reverence for nature.
Though Japan enjoys the longest life expectancy in the world, it is coupled with a low birthrate, straining health and social services.
Women are still expected to attend to household tasks, but more are entering the workforce.

10. Japan Economic Activities
Japan’s industrial economy is based on a mixed market system.
Lacking ample natural resources, Japan has focused on trade to expand its economy.
Japanese companies play an important societal role, with most people expecting to remain at their company until retirement.
Due to the fact that Japan restricts imports, it has a trade surplus, because the value of its exports is greater than the value of its imports

11. North and South Korea Human Geography

12. North/South Korea History and Government
Greatly influenced by China, Korea adopted the principles of Confucianism, which provided the basis for a complex bureaucracy.
Korea became a hermit kingdom, until Japan forced Korea to open its ports in 1876.
Japan annexed Korea in 1910, creating anti-Japanese sentiment.
After World War II, the Soviets set up a government in what became North Korea.
Today, North Korea remains isolated, while South Korea is an open, democratic society.

13. North/South Korea Population Patterns
The peninsula is one of the most ethnically homogenous regions in the world, with nearly all inhabitants originating from China and central Asia.
North Korea’s population is about half of South Korea’s.
Food shortages and political persecution plague life in North Korea.
South Korea’s population is mostly urban, and population density is high.

14. North/South Korea Society and Culture Today Both nations speak Korean.
Despite their shared ethnicity, the two countries have created a cultural divergence, separations of people with regard to beliefs because of differing political systems.
With little freedom in North Korea, many things are prohibited, such as religion, and artistic and personal expression.
With more opportunities, women in South Korea have become increasingly active in the economy

15. North/South Korea Economic Activities
North Korea has a command economy, where the state plans and controls all economic production.
North Korea has a massive food problem, with many citizens facing starvation.
South Korea has transformed from one of the poorest nations to a highly industrialized society.
High tech manufacturing, along with the service industry, forms much of South Korea’s economy.
North Korea remains aloof, engaging in limited trade with its partners.