1. Geography of China

2. ESSENTIAL QUESTION: How did the geography of China impact the people and history of China?   OBJECTIVE: To understand the significant geographical features of China.

3. Geography The capital of China is Beijing
It covers 3.7 million square miles
The climate ranges from deserts, to mountains to rainforests

4. Population There are 1.3 billion people in the country
Most live in the eastern 1/3 of the country
95% of the population are Han (ethnic Chinese)
Mandarin is the official language but the people speak numerous dialects
Most of the people are farmers which is difficult since 80% of the land is not good for farming

5. Rivers of China
Huang He or Yellow River
Yangzi Xi

6. Location, Location, Location
Why is the location of China so important to its history?
Far distance from other major civilizations - It was a journey to get there from Europe, Africa, and the Middle East
Surrounded by natural barriers – Tibetan Plateau; Himalayas; Gobi Desert; Ocean

7. Great distance from China to other trade areas

8. Natural Barriers
Yellow Sea, East China Sea and the Pacific Ocean to the east
Taklimakan Desert, Plateau of Tibet and Himalayas to the west
Gobi Desert and Mongolian
Plateau to the north