ChinaChina

GeographyGeography

PopulationPopulation

• 1.3 billion people (most populated in world)

• 1 out of 5 people in

the world are Chinese

• 95% are Han

(ethnic Chinese)

Physical MapPhysical Map

The majority of China consists The majority of China consists of mountains and desertsof mountains and deserts

a) In ancient times, these physical barriers limited contact with others (cultural diversity)

b) The Chinese thought they lived at the center of the Earth= (ethnocentric)

c) Today, most people still live in the eastern 1/3 of China where the land is arable (OK for farming)

Population DensityPopulation Density

TerracingTerracing

• What?: small, flat fields built into the sides of mountains

• Why?: create more farmland, holds soil in place in order to plant crops

• Where?: sides of hills and

mountains

TerracingTerracing

Physical MapPhysical Map

RiversRivers

• Huang He River

- also called Yellow River because of loess

- loess: yellow brown soil that is carried by winds into the river

- River of Sorrow: floods cause great destruction

Huang He River (Yellow River)Huang He River (Yellow River)

RiversRivers

• Chang River (aka Yangzi)

- important for trade

- many important ports and dams

- for example: City of

Shanghai-

Chang River (Yangzi)Chang River (Yangzi)

City of Shanghai

3 Gorges Dam

RiversRivers

• Xi River (aka West River)

- found in South China

- major trade route to Guangzhou

- Xi River Delta: millions of Chinese live here because of good soil and warm climate

Xi River (West River)Xi River (West River)

Cities of ChinaCities of China

North ChinaNorth China

• Climate- warm/hot summers and cold winters, rain varies

• Crops- wheat and millet (small type of grain)

• Cities- Beijing (capital) and Tianjin

North ChinaNorth China

South ChinaSouth China

• Climate- mild/humid (closer to equator)

• Crops- rice, cotton, tea, and vegetables

• River Valleys- people pack into these to grow crops

• Cities- Guangzhou, Shanghai