Geographical regions of china - Introduction to China Introduction to China Introduction to China - Geographical Regions of China China's total area covers nearly 10 million square kilometers. Two-thirds of the country is high plateaus and mountains with populations living at altitudes from 1,000 to 4,000 meters above sea level and high mountain areas reaching 7,000 to 8,000 meters. Climate varies from subarctic to subtropical. The Han majority is densely settled in the eastern half of the country—also called "inner China"—along the coastal areas, on the great plains, in the river valleys, and in the foothills. Most Han live in temperate zones, at elevations well below 1,000 meters. The minorities are more sparsely distributed over the remaining 55 percent of the country lying to the north, southwest, and west of the main areas of Han settlement. In the mountainous provinces of Yunnan and Guizhou, where Han and other ethnic groups have coexisted for several centuries, they are separated by elevation, with the minorities living at higher altitudes.

Inner China is suited to intensive, settled agriculture with an emphasis on grain crops supplemented by vegetables and fruits. Irrigation systems have long been used to lessen the dependence on rainfall and the damage from floods and drought. These problems have been further reduced in recent decades. Since 1949, the government has completed numerous hydraulic projects along the lower Huang He (Yellow River) and the Huai and Hai rivers. Major projects are planned for the Yangzi (Chang Jiang) in coming decades. Additionally, introduction of chemical fertilizers and insecticides has increased productivity even as drainage projects and hillside terracing have opened up additional land. Conversely, some agricultural land has been lost because of salinization and erosion. There are eight major geographical regions, which overlap somewhat with cultural or subcultural (regional culture) areas. The Northeast. This area, formerly called Manchuria and now known as Dongbei, is composed of the three provinces of Jilin, Liaoning, and Heilongjiang, as well as eastern Inner Mongolia. In the north, there are vast areas of coniferous forest or mixed coniferous/broad-leaved forest, a rich source of timber.

To the south there is large-scale mechanized farming on the plains and on reclaimed lands. Most of China's state farms are located here. Dongbei has long, cold winters and heavy rainfall during the short, hot summers. Ample supply of water supports summer crops of wheat, maize, potatoes, sugar beets, soybeans, and gaoliang (sorghum). Some areas are warm enough to raise rice and cotton. Dongbei's major source of wealth is industrial. Since 1949, Dongbei has rapidly developed as a key industrial area, providing oil and petrochemical products, coal, iron and steel, motor vehicles, and a variety of consumer products. Rapid population growth is mainly the result of heavy Han immigration from north China, beginning in the nineteenth century and accelerating after 1949. Indigenous national minorities include Manchu, Koreans, Ewenki, Oroqen, Mongols, and Hui. They now constitute less than 8 percent of the population. North China Plain. This region of inner China includes the provinces of Henan, Hebei, Shandong, and the northern parts of Jiangsu and Anhui.

Moving north to south, the area has from 190 to 250 frost-free days, light snowfall, and hot (30° C), rainy summers. Rich deposits from the Huang He and its tributaries have enriched and built up the soils in many areas. Flooding and drought continue to be problems because of erratic rainfall. Agriculture is intensive: forests and grasslands have long since given way to the plow and some 40 percent of the total area is under cultivation. About 30 percent of the Chinese population live here, most engaged in agriculture. Average population density is 400 persons per square kilometer, mainly concentrated in nucleated villages of fifty to several hundred households, surrounded by the fields. The main staple crops are spring wheat, corn, millet, and sweet potatoes harvested in the late summer and autumn. Tobacco and cotton are important cash crops. Some of the surplus rural labor has been absorbed into the industrial and commercial growth of major cities—such as Beijing, Jinan, Loyang, Shijiazhuang, and Tianjin—or industrial centers such as Shandong's Shengli oil fields and the coastal development zones. Loess Plateau.

Northwest of the plain is loess land and the steppe region, covering the provinces of Shanxi, Shaanxi, and heavily industrialized eastern Gansu. One of the important centers of Chinese civilization in the past, the Loess Plateau remains overwhelmingly Han in ethnic composition. The heavy deposits of windblown loess soils are fertile but fragile, prone to erosion, gullying, and landslides. Much of the land is not arable. Rainfall is unpredictable. Winter temperatures fall below freezing and the summers are hot. Agriculture is most successful along the Huang He and the Wei and Fen rivers. Wheat, millet, and maize are the main crops and some double cropping is possible. The rural areas support a lighter population density than the North China Plain, and the general standard of living is markedly lower except in the southeast sector. In the northwest and beyond the Great Wall, the desert begins. This region was formerly a part of the Silk Road leading to Central Asia. Since 1949 mining and industry have become of key importance. Northwest. Geographically and culturally part of Central Asia, this region includes western Gansu, Xinjiang, Ningxia, and part of Inner Mongolia.

The topography is highly varied and includes large stretches of arid desert and wasteland, fertile oases, grassy plateaus, and high mountain ranges. The Altai range rises to more than 4,000 meters above sea level and the Tianshan to 7,435. The climate is generally dry, averaging only 10 centimeters of rain yearly in some areas. Population is sparse in the grassland and in mountain pastureland; in many places it is less than one person per square kilometer. The region is China's main source of sheep, cattle, horses, and camels. Some areas are suited to grain and cotton production. There are relatively few cities: the largest are Urumqi, and Kashgar, which were stages on the old Silk Road. A large percentage of the population belong to minority nationalities: Uigurs, Hui, Kazak, Kirgiz, Mongols, Tajiks, and others. In Xinjiang, over half the population belongs to Turkic-speaking minority groups, and almost one-third of Ningxia's population are Hui. Because of heavy Han immigration, Mongols are now no more than 15 percent of the population of the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region.

Lower Yangzi/South Central China. Dominated today by Wuhan and Shanghai, major industrial and commercial cities, this area had important urban centers as well as an affluent and productive agricultural sector even before the nineteenth-century rise of the treaty ports. It includes suburban Shanghai Municipality, the provinces of Jiangsu, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, and parts of Anhui and Zhejiang provinces. With its lakes and numerous navigable waterways, it is one of the richest and most densely populated areas of inner China. The climate is mild, with 240 frost-free days, and rainfall is ample. Double cropping is common, with alternation of winter wheat and summer rice. Cotton, silk, pigs and poultry, vegetable farming, ocean and freshwater fisheries, and rural industries have for generations supplemented peasant income. In recent years the expansion of towns and cities, exploitation of rich natural resources, and a thriving free-market system have made this the leading area in industrial and agricultural output. Maritime South. This large region includes southern Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Hainan, and Guangxi provinces, and it probably should be extended to cover Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan.

It is linguistically very diverse, and in some sections there are large minority populations—particularly in Guangxi, where minority peoples account for almost 40 percent of the total. Some scholars would divide the region into a northern tea-and-rice area and a southern double-cropping rice area. However, cropping, population density, urbanization, and communications depend on altitude: much of the region is mountainous, and temperatures and soil quality vary. Around the Pearl River Delta, near Guangzhou, which enjoys one of the highest living standards in China, population density reaches 2,000 persons per square kilometer, whereas in the uplands it is closer to 200 persons per square kilometer. Yao, She, Li, and Zhuang generally live in uplands areas unsuitable for Han methods of farming. It is regarded as one of China's richest regions today: along the coast Special Economic Zones and overseas investments have revitalized the modern sector of the economy and led to dramatic changes in living standards and life-styles. Southwest. The provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan, and Guizhou together with western Hunan are ethnically diverse, although Han Chinese are clearly in the majority.

In Yunnan and Guizhou the minority populations are 32 percent and 26 percent, respectively, though they are under 4 percent in Sichuan. At least twenty-six different minority groups can be found in Yunnan. Among the largest are the Miao, Yi, Dong, Tujia, Hani, Dai, Tibetans, and Lisu. Much of the area was formerly part of the Nanzhao Kingdom. Until recent times, several important urban centers were predominantly populated by non-Han peoples—for example, Dali and Lijiang in Yunnan. The climate generally ranges from cool temperate to tropical, depending on elevation and latitude. Much of the area is rugged mountains and plateaus, which rise westward toward Tibet. It is mainly minority groups who inhabit the mountains and high plateaus above 1,200 meters. Han populations are concentrated on the plains and at lower altitudes near sources of water for irrigation. However, irrigation farming and wet-rice agriculture are also found among some of the minorities, particularly the Dai, Bai, and Naxi.

In recent years, cash crops have been encouraged by the state, particularly tobacco, rubber, sugar, tea, coffee, and tropical fruits in the most southern areas. Until the 1950s, slash-and-burn agriculture was practiced in the uplands, where the population depended on oats, buckwheat, potatoes, maize, and other "rough" grains supplemented by hunting and forest gathering. Northern Yunnan has become a major forestry area. Diminishing tracts of mountain pasture in northern Yunnan and eastern Sichuan are still utilized by Yi and Miao pastoralists. Despite the existence of rich natural resources, road and rail transportation and telecommunications remain underdeveloped over most of this region. Only the Sichuan Basin, highly industrialized, rich in energy sources and mineral resources, and linked by rail and river to the Yangzi, matches inner China's productivity and wealth. There is a wide gap in living standards between Sichuan and the rest of the region and between the Han and the other nationalities within the region. Tibetan Plateaus. Tibet, Qinghai, and western Sichuan lie mostly above 3,000 meters.

Barley, buckwheat, and some wheat are grown in the southeastern valleys, while pastoralism (raising yaks, sheep, goats, and horses) is widespread in Qinghai and western Tibet. Traditional trade routes from Tibet to Nepal and India, closed in 1949, have only recently been reopened. Rich mineral deposits are only beginning to be discovered and exploited. Poor communication routes to inner China have helped to make this the poorest region in the country. Population density is low, there are few urban centers, and most of the population is non-Han. Besides the large Tibetan population, the minorities include Hui, Lhoba, Moinba, Qiang, Sala (Salar), and Tu. User Contributions: Northeast China travel guide - Wikitravel Understand[ edit ] Even if the Chinese understand that there is civilization beyond the Great Wall, most tourists do not. The lands to the northeast of Beijing represent some of the least traveled and most challenging regions of China. History[ edit ] The region is historically known as Manchuria, and for centuries the main ethnic group were the Manchus. In 1644 the Manchus conquered China and founded the Qing Dynasty .

The Qing ruled for over 250 years, until the founding of the Republic of China in 1911. During the Qing Dynasty, Manchuria was off limits to Han Chinese. That prohibition broke down as the Qing began losing power in the late 1800's. Today, the Han by far are the largest ethnic group in the region. However, the area still has a mysterious quality separate from the rest of China, and a Manchu minority still can be found in this area. Russia sought dominance in the region in the 19th and early 20th centuries, taking Port Arthur (now called Dalian ) as a naval base, building a railroad, and generally exerting great influence. After nearly two centuries of peace resulted in the stagnation of the Qing army, the failing Qing dynasty was unable to effectively oppose them. The British and Japanese tried to limit Russian influence, with mixed success. Russian influences continued in later times as well. After 1917 many White Russians fled to this region, or to Shanghai. After 1949 the communist government brought in many Russian advisors. Trade and tourism continue now. The Qing dynasty fell in 1911.

From 1915 to 1928, Manchuria was ruled by the Manchu warlord Zhang Zuolin, "the old marshal". At first he favoured the restoration of the Qing, but eventually he acknowledged the authority of the Nationalist government. He was therefore assassinated by the Japanese. His son, "the young marshal", fled to China with most of his army and became a prominent anti-Japanese fighter. At one point (the "Xi'an incident") he kidnapped Chiang Kai Shek and forced him to work out a truce with the the Communists so both could fight the Japanese. Japan grabbed Manchuria and a chunk of Mongolia in the 1930s and set up a puppet state called "Manchukuo" under Puyi, the last Qing emperor, who had been deposed by China's 1911 revolution. They tried to expand further into Mongolia, but were soundly thrashed by a Russian/Mongolian force at Khalkin Gol . After that, they changed their strategy and struck South instead of trying to grab Mongolia and Siberia. As elsewhere, Japanese occupation was brutal; in particular millions in Manchuria were conscripted into slave labour.

China regained control of the region in 1945 when Japan lost the second World War because of the combined attack of the Allied forces which included China. With infrastructure already in place from its former masters, Russia and Japan, the Chinese government made North East the center of their efforts at development on the Soviet model, with five-year plans and a concentration on heavy industry. The region is still sometimes referred to as "the rust belt". Since Deng Xiao Ping's "reform and opening up". other regions such as the Pearl River Delta and the area around Shanghai have developed enormously, based mainly on trade and light industry. The North East has not had quite that spectacular sort of development, but it is doing very well indeed. As elsewhere, the coastal regions have some of the fastest development; in the North East, Dalian is one of the most prosperous cities. Geography[ edit ] For most Chinese, North East probably brings to mind images of factory workers with bright smiles and a cheery attitude instead of wild men riding on horseback from an earlier age. Despite the industrial buildup, North East can claim China's largest natural forest area, its most uncontaminated grassland area, and one of its most spiritual lakes (Tian Chi).

Tourism[ edit ] The region is trying for a makeover since the industrialization of the region is falling apart. It is not known as the rust belt without just cause. Tourism, it is hoped, will help pump money back into the region and keep the local economies afloat. North East is still difficult to visit but, because it is not as hyped as other parts of China, is still fresh and free of the tourism problems of other parts of China. Talk[ edit ] As anywhere in China, Mandarin is the lingua franca; nearly everyone can speak it. There are substantial groups whose first language is Korean or Mongolian , and Russian is fairly common as a second language. As elsewhere in China, English is not widespread but some people speak it quite well. By train[ edit ] Rail service is extensive throughout the region but when you get off the main lines it slows down considerably. The major problem is that since the northeast is connected with the rest of China by a few main lines, long-distance tickets to other places in China past this bottleneck are few and far between, especially sleeper tickets.

The three province capitals of Harbin , Changchun and Shenyang can be reached by direct train from most major cities in the country, only from distant places will a shift of trains in eg Beijing be needed. Other cities in the region has connections from Beijing but not too much from other places. Northeast China can be entered from Russia via the train from Vladivostok to Harbin . This is a very slow train doing the not very long journey in 35 hours. This train is not much used, you will have to wait long hours in strange places, and crossing the border is a mess. Another option from Russia is there more well-travelled route from Irkutsk to Harbin . It is also possible to go by train from North Korea to the region. Get around[ edit ] As elsewhere in China, there is an extensive rail network. Rail is the main means of inter-city travel for the Chinese themselves, and many visitors travel that way as well. The system now includes fast bullet trains on most major routes; unless your budget is very tight, these are the best way to go — fast, clean and comfortable. All the major cities have airports with good domestic connections; some have international connections as well.

See the individual city articles for details. There is also an extensive highway network, much of it very good. Busses go almost anywhere, somewhat cheaper than the trains. See the China article for more. Driving yourself is also possible, but often problematic; see Driving in China . Landmarks and buildings[ edit ] Russian buildings — most prominent in Harbin shows the strong Russian influence in the area. Goguryeo Ancient sites — the remains of the ancient kingdom of Goguryeo. The Goguryeo are credited as the ancestors of the Korean people. These sites include including Wunu Mountain City, Guonei City and Wandu Mountain City; fourteen imperial tombs; twenty-six noble tombs; a General's Tomb; and the monument to the nineteenth Emperor of the Koguryo Kingdom, which are now UNESCO World Heritage Site. Most of these are around Tonghua . Puppet Emperor's Palace (偽皇宮 Wei Huang Gong) — the former residence of Puyi, the last emperor of China and the Puppet Emperor of Manchuco on behalf of the Japanese. In the north east of Changchun . Great Wall of China — goes through the area.

There are two interesting restored portions at Hushan near Dandong and at Jiumenkou 18km east of The First Pass Under Heaven at Shanhaiguan near the city of Huludao . Religious structures — famous in the area include Fengguo Temple in Yixian , which possesses the largest single-floor wooden hall in China , Guangji Temple in Jinzhou and Yongfeng Pagoda in Dalian . Ancient cities — remains in the area include Tayingzi Ancient City in Fuxin or Shenyang and Ruins of Gaoli City in Yingkou . Parks and nature[ edit ] Siberian Tiger Preserve — in the outskirts of Harbin is home to hundreds of tigers and is a must see. Zhaolin Park — in Harbin is home to the city's famous ice sculptures in the winter. Longtou Mountain — these hills contain ancient Tombs including the Mausoleum of Princess Zhenxiao and royal tombs of the Balhae kingdom. It is in Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture.

Rimmed Trees of Jilin — the trees are extolled as one of the four major natural wonders of China along with the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River, the landscape of Jilin and the Stone Forest of Yunnan. Mountains — there are a number worth a visit in the area, including Bijias Mountain in Jinzhou , Yiwulu Mountain in Fuxin , Longshou Mountain in Tieling , Tiesha Mountain in Benxi and Dagu Mountain in Dalian . Museums and exhibitions[ edit ] Unit 731' — in Harbin known as 'Auschwitz of the East'. A hard hitting reality of the history between Japan and China. An ex Japanese chemical 'logging' plant used for human testing with disease and chemical weaponry. Containing a dark American secret. Heilongjiang Provincial Museum — in Harbin is not great but big Meteorite Museum — in 1976, Jilin was hit by a heavy Meteorite storm. Many of the stones were collected and placed into this museum. The largest stone weighs 1,775kg and is thought to be the largest Meteorite in existence to date.

Imperial Palace or Forbidden city in Shenyang — a UNESCO world heritage site along with its bigger cousin in Beijing. The Shenyang palace rivals that of Beijing in its beauty and distinctive Manchurian architectural styles. Tombs — Beiling is the North Tomb and Dongling is the East Tomb both in Shenyang , two of the three tombs north of the Great Wall and UNESCO world heritage sites. Do[ edit ][ add listing ] Festivals — Harbin International Snow and Ice Festivals (from 5 January until warm weather) are the main events in the region and worth planning for if you can stand the cold. Harbin is also home to a beer festival (late August) and a music festival (every two years, next one in 2010). There are also a Ice Lantern Festival in Jilin and a Ice and Snow Festival in Shenyang . Theaters and concert halls — one place to look for these kinds of cultural events is in Zhongshan district in Dalian .

Skiing — there are a number of skiing resorts in the region, one of the best is in Wofoshan near Jiamusiand some found around Shenyang Heilongjiang River — cruises on the river from Mohe and Heihe . Mohe has the best Aurora Borealis viewing in winter. It is also possible to take a swim in the river. Benxi Water Cave — cruise through the cave in Benxi Shuidong National Park near Benxi city. This is the largest water filled cavern in Asia. You can also raft down the nearby river. River Rafting — if you are into this kind of thrilling sports, go to Fushun for Honghu Red River Canyon Rafting or Su River Rafting. Beaches — the province does have some good ones including Xingcheng Beach in Huludao , Jinshi Beach in Dalian , Dalian Beach in Dalian and Dalian Beach-Lushunkou in Dalian . Hot springs — are found around the region, eg in Anshan .

Eat[ edit ][ add listing ] Fruits of Liaoning - Liaoning's fruits include apples from Dalian and Yingkuo , golden peaches from Dalian , pears from Beizhen District of Jinzhou , white pears from Huludao and Suizhou , and apricots and plums from Gushan District of Dandong . Sea Delicacies of Liaoning - The sea off Dalian abounds with quality seafood, such as abalones, sea cucumbers, scallops, prawns, crabs and sea urchins. The big fish of Dandong , the jellyfish of Yingkou and the clams of Panjin are known worldwide for their freshness and great tastes. Chinese Geography: Readings and Maps | Asia for Educators | Columbia University Chinese Geography: Readings and Maps The consultant for this unit was Professor Ronald Knapp of the State University of New York (SUNY) at New Paltz. Professor Knapp is a geographer who specializes on China. This unit begins with a set of maps, both general and outline, and then divides discussion of China's geography into four topical areas. The discussion refers to the maps and other visuals imbedded in the text.

Suggested Questions for Discussion that can be used to guide students through the material in all four topics are grouped together at the end of the units. MAPS Outline Maps (For classroom activity) RIVERS, BORDERS, and CIVILIZATIONS Autonomous Regions and China's Minorities Special Administrative Regions (SARs) Maps General Maps (China in Asia) Visit the following sites to view and select maps as well as other general background information about China. China's Linguistic Groups (1990) Outline Maps (For classroom use) The outline maps included below are designed to be used as transparencies that can be overlaid on an overhead projector to demonstrate the diversity of China's physical and cultural geography. Copies can be printed out and reproduced also for student use. Many of the descriptive sections below utilize the maps in ways to sharpen student's understanding of China's geography. They may all be printed out now or printed as they are introduced below.

Rivers, Borders and Civilization Major Rivers China's two major rivers , the Huang He (Yellow River) and the Chang Jiang (Yangzi or Yangtze River), as well as the Pearl River (Zhu Jiang) delta system marked by the Xi Jiang (West River) in southeastern China, have provided the framework for agricultural development and population growth throughout China's history. Another river, the Heilong Jiang (known also as the Amur River, its Russian name) marks the border between China and Russia; at times in the past, this area was one of confrontation between the neighbors. The drainage basins of China's rivers differ in terms of extent and topography, offering varying opportunities for agricultural development. Because some of China's largest rivers have their source regions on the high Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and drop great distances over their middle and lower courses, China is rich in hydroelectric resources. Each of these rivers has special characteristics and associated problems at different locations along their courses. (Note that "he" and "jiang" are both translated into English as "river." In English, there are of course many words that differentiate flowing water according to size and character — stream, brook, creek, river, just for a couple of examples.

In the Chinese language, similar differences are expressed but the common words usually translated into English as "river" can be further clarified somewhat. "Jiang" 江 is the most common descriptor for "river" in Chinese, signifying a stream that is often geologically young which cuts through a narrow valley. "He" 河 , on the other hand, is generally used for a river that is broad and geologically old. In this regard, much of the lower course of the Huang He is reminiscent of the sluggish Mississippi River while the middle and upper sections of the Chang Jiang resemble the unruly Colorado River. It is thus redundant to say Huang He River or Chang Jiang River.) Huang He (Yellow River). China's second longest river, the Huang He rises in Qinghai province and flows some 5464 km to the Yellow Sea. Crystal clear lakes and sluggish meandering are characteristic in its upper reaches. Along the Great Bend of the Huang He in its middle course, the unruly river carves its way through the loessial plateau with substantial erosion taking place.

As the river erodes the loess, it becomes a "river of mud" (Loessial soil is called huang tu or "yellow earth" in Chinese and it is the color of this suspended loess in the river that has given the Huang He its name "Yellow River.") Carrying 40% sediment by weight in summer (for other rivers in the world 3% would be considered a heavy sediment load), the river deposits vast amounts of alluvium as it courses across the North China Plain. Over the centuries, deposition has raised the bed of the Huang He so that it is in some ways "suspended" precariously above the lower surrounding agricultural areas, contained by levees and embankments built to control what historically was "China's Sorrow"— the bringer of flood and famine. Chairman Mao surveys the Lower Huang He from atop a dike The lower course of the Huang He has changed 26 times in China's history, most notably nine times including major floods in 1194 AD and again in 1853, that brought untold disaster to the villages and towns of the North China Plain. ( See Map of Course Changes of the Huang He.

) What was once a scourge that plagued the Chinese people throughout much of their history continues to be one of China's great natural challenges — preventing both flooding and drought in a region with more than 100 million people. Siltation at the mouth of the Huang He extended the length of the river by about 35 km (20 miles) between 1975 and 1991. The North China Plain is indeed a "gift" of the Huang He. Throughout the loessial uplands, some 40 million Chinese still live in cave-like or subterranean dwellings that are an especially appropriate response to the peculiar nature of loess and the absence of alternative building materials such as timber. Chang Jiang (Yangzi River). As China's "main street," this artery courses over 6300 km through several of China's most economically developed regions. Excellent river ports — Shanghai, Zhenjiang, Nanjing, Wuhan, Yichang, and Chongqing — are located near or along the Chang Jiang, making it one of the world's busiest inland waterways.

As much of 40% of the country's total grain production, 70% of the rice output, and more than 40% of China's population are associated with its vast basin that includes more than 3,000 tributaries. The flow of the Chang Jiang is some 20 times greater than that of the Huang He. With its numerous tributaries, the Chang Jiang drains nearly 20% of China's total area. Its upper reaches tap the uplands of the Tibetan Plateau before sweeping across the enormous and agriculturally productive Sichuan Basin that supports nearly 10% of China's total population. It is in the middle course of the Chang Jiang that the controversial Three Gorges Dam project is being constructed. As a huge public works project — the largest dam in the world, rivaling the building not only of China's great historical projects such as the Grand Canal and Great Wall as well as modern projects elsewhere in the world — the Three Gorges Dam project is wrapped in environmental, engineering, and political controversy. Increasing clean energy, controlling floods, and stimulating economic development are but a few of objectives of the dam.

Below the Three Gorges Dam are the great flood plains of the Chang Jiang as well as the major tributaries on its north and south banks. At the mouth of the river is the great and productive Yangzi delta and metropolitan Shanghai. With the completion of this project, disastrous floods are expected to be eliminated. The second worst flood of the past 130 years struck the Chang Jiang valley in Summer 1998 and affected 240 million people, killing some 3656, and leaving 14 million homeless. The flood is estimated to have left 14 million people homeless, destroying 5 million houses, damaging 12 million houses, flooding 25 million hectares of farmland, and causing over US$20 billion in estimated damages. On the adjacent infrared image, the extensive flooded area is shown in blue, other water areas in black, vegetation in red, and clouds in white. Zhu Jiang (Pearl River) Delta. Situated in Guangdong province just to the north of Hong Kong and Macao, the delta of the Zhu Jiang is the most significant farming area in southeastern China.

Some regard it as one of the most productive and sustainable ecosystems in the world because of its integrated dike-rice paddy-fish pond agricultural system. Between 1988 and 1995, land reclamation along the banks of the river and along the coast added farm land and space for fish ponds as well as created space for rapidly expanding settlements. Early Civilizations Looking at the map of historical borders and the map showing the major rivers highlights the important fact that the earliest hearths of Chinese civilization developed along its river valleys. One of the cradles of Chinese civilization, the Neolithic site called Banpo, was located along a tributary of the Huang He not too far from the present-day city of Xi'an in Shaanxi province. Hemudu, on the southern shores of Hangzhou Bay that lies to the south of the Yangzi River delta, is another of China's important Neolithic sites. The Shang dynasty (c. 1600-1027 BC) was also situated around the Huang He (Yellow River), and eventually spread southward to the Chang Jiang (Yangzi River) and Xi Jiang.

Mountains and Deserts The west of China is comprised of mountains and deserts as well as plateaus that do not provide much arable land for agriculture. Throughout most of history, the civilization that grew up to the east in what is today China was not surrounded by other nearby major civilizations. To this extent the Chinese were "isolated" from competing civilizations although there was a broad and fluid frontier zone on the western margins. This geographical fact is important to remember when discussing the Western encroachment on China from the sea during the late imperial period. Although the mountains and deserts of the west limited contact between early imperial dynasties and other centers of civilization in the Inner Asia, Middle East, South Asia, and Europe, there were some important and notable exchanges of culture. The legendary Silk Road facilitated the exchange of goods and ideas between China and each of these areas. Historical Borders Like many other countries, the historical borders of china have varied over time. Under the Han dynasty (202 BC-202 AD), China's great historical empire, these early boundaries were significantly expanded, as the series of historical maps of China shows.

The extent of China's territory was greatest under the last dynasty, called the Qing (Ch'ing) or Manchu dynasty between 1644-1912. China's territory was more extensive under the Qing empire than it is today. Bordering Nations China is at the core of a cultural sphere or region known as East Asia. Looking at the map of bordering nations , it is possible to identify China's neighbors, some of which received substantial cultural influence from China. China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam historically form the East Asian or Sinitic cultural sphere. The large number of countries with which China shares borders makes Chinese foreign policy especially complex (unlike the U.S., for example which shares borders only with Canada and Mexico). Supplementing Geography: Great Wall, Grand Canal, Terracing and Irrigation The Chinese attempted to correct perceived "deficiencies" in their physical geography by building massive civil engineering projects that would help bring about unity and provide defense as well as by countless smaller scale efforts at modifying their physical landscapes. Great Wall.

What is known today as the Great Wall ( see map of the Great Wall and the Grand Canal ) was reputedly first completed during the Qin (Ch'in) dynasty (221-206 BC) when segments of the wall existing from earlier periods were connected. Early walled ramparts were constructed of rammed or tamped earth. The brick-faced walls seen today were built much later during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). Although not a single continuous wall, the Great Wall and its associated military encampments and guard posts figured in attempts by many dynasties to manage the nomadic peoples, sometime referred to as "barbarians," who lived north of it on the grasslands or steppes. For the most part, the Great Wall should be viewed as a zone of transition — rather than a fixed border — between farming areas with sedentary villages and pasture lands with nomadic lifestyles. Grand Canal.

Since China's major rivers — the Huang He and Chang Jiang — flow from west to east and there is no natural communication north to south except by way of a coastal route, the Chinese dug the Grand Canal as a safe, inland water route between the two major rivers, in the process connecting a number of minor regional rivers. Constructed around 605 AD to serve commercial as well as military considerations, the canal was extended several times, most notably to the Hangzhou in 610 and eventually in 1279 to Dadu, the great Mongol (Yuan dynasty) capital. During the Ming and Qing dynasties which followed the Mongol dynasty, the Grand Canal ensured that Beijing, the great successor imperial capitals to Dadu, had sufficient grain from the southern rice bowl areas. The Grand Canal is the longest artificial waterway in the world and has a long history of barge traffic along its course. Although many parts of it fell into disrepair over the years, today it is still possible to traverse the man-made Grand Canal from Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province northward 1801 km to Beijing. Terracing and Irrigation.

At least as significant as major engineering works like the Grand Canal and the Great Wall are the countless alterations of China's physical landscapes by centuries of human effort. These human modifications traditionally focused on terracing hill slopes and controlling water via irrigation as well as reclaiming marginal land. In managing natural resources and expanding opportunities for the production of food, the Chinese have reclaimed, even created, land that in many areas of the world would have been considered impossible to farm. Creating level land through terracing of hill slopes. Throughout the rugged areas of northern and southern China, farmers over the centuries have sculpted the hilly land into step-like landscapes of terraces. Sometimes terraces are relatively natural features that need only be modified in order to produce level areas for planting, while in others extraordinary efforts must be carried out to move earth and rock, stabilize retaining walls, and create sluices for controlling the flow of water. Drainage control and water storage are as important as the level land itself. Population and Agriculture Population and Arable (Farming) Land It is a well known fact that China is the most populous nation in the world.

China's total population of 1,252,800,000 nearly exceeds the combined populations of Europe (579,700,000) and South America (311,500,000) and the United States (272,573,000) and Japan (125,200,000). By comparison, the population of the United States is equivalent to only 22% of China's population. Such a huge population imposes substantial stress on the country's natural resources, including especially arable land. Although China ranks fourth in the world in terms of total arable land, the pressure of population on this precious available agricultural land is acute and makes China's struggle to increase its agricultural output to feed its population all the more difficult. Looking at the map of China's agricultural regions and crops , you will see that China's arable land is primarily in the eastern region, the same area where a majority of China's vast population is concentrated. In addition to extensive areas of western China which are relatively uninhabited, substantial portions of southern China are unfavorable for agriculture because of mountainous topography.

There are significant variations from province-to-province in terms of cultivated land, multiple-cropping, and overall production of various crops. China feeds somewhat less than one-quarter (25%) of the world's population on approximately 7% of the world's arable land. Viewing the map showing the U.S. and China superimposed , it can be seen that China has only a slightly larger land area, 3.69 million square miles compared to the 3.68 million square miles of the United States. However, while approximately 40% of the U.S. land can be cultivated, only 11% of China's land is arable. Much of the arable land in the United States, of course, is actually not used for farming but instead is used for pasture or has been developed for other uses. Like China, the U.S. has a densely populated east coast. Unlike the U.S., however, China's farmland is not concentrated in a relatively underpopulated central section of the country. Of the roughly 273 million population in the U.S., less than 3% are engaged in farming while the U.S.

has about 80% more farmland than does China and 10 times more farmland per capita. The following map compares the densities of population in the United States and China: Despite the high population density reflected on the map, China is not an urban society even though its total urban population (311,000,000) exceeds the actual total population of the United States. (The urban population of the U.S. is approximately 194,7000,000, some 75% of the country's total; many Americans, of course, live in suburban communities.) Although some seventy-four per cent (74%) of China's population is still primarily engaged in agriculture and living in rural areas, these same farming areas have undergone substantial industrialization and commercialization in the past two decades since 1979. Agriculture in China The production of grain accounts for some 80-90% of all agricultural crops in China. Rice, wheat, corn, barley, and millet are the principal grain crops, each of which represents a particular adaptation to specific environmental conditions. Crops.

Wet rice or paddy rice agriculture is carried out particularly in fertile areas of southern and central China where a mild climate favors two and sometimes three crops per year. The growing of rice is frequently rotated with other crops such as winter wheat, sweet potatoes, corn, and vegetables of various types. Vegetable oil producing plants — specifically rape-seed (the oil of which is known in the U.S. as canola oil), peanuts, and sesame — are widely grown throughout this region on appropriate soils. In addition to relatively mild winter temperatures and a long growing season, heavy and predictable summer monsoon rains and overall sufficient annual rainfall are the basis for substantial productive agriculture. It is important to recognize that China's southern and central rice-growing regions are quite diverse. Wet Rice Cycle. Briefly explained, wet rice agriculture is an intensive farming system in which dense populations and the intensive use of the earth are complementary. | back to top | Geography and Regions The cross-hatching nature of China's five mountain ranges, the step-like staircase decrease in elevation from the lofty Tibetan plateau towards the sea, and the location of rivers make for a number of distinct geographical regions that fall into a checkerboard composition of basins, plateaus, and plains.

Note the problems these pose for political and economic unity on the overlays of mountains and deserts and rivers . For the sake of elementary convenience, the landmass of China can be divided into two basic components: A vast Western region occupying nearly 2/3 of the country that is generally too high, too cold, and/or too dry to support a dense agricultural population. Much of this higher western area occupies the two upper steps of the topographic staircase: Qinghai-Tibetan plateau, sometimes known as the "roof of the world" with average elevations above 4000 meters and a broad arc-like step running northeast/southwest from the grasslands of the Inner Mongolian steppes through the deserts and basins of Xinjiang to the Yunnan-Guizhou plateaus of southwestern China. An Eastern region occupying 1/3 of the country — that portion of China east of the Tibetan Plateau and generally south of the Great Wall — forming the core of China Proper.

It is framed on the west by mountain ranges about 1000 meters in elevation — Greater Khingan, Taihang, Wushan, and Xuefeng — and includes the densely settled North China Plain along the lower course of the Huang He and numerous plains in the middle and lower reaches of the Chang Jiang. This diverse region includes the eighteen traditional provinces of imperial China, and can be divided into Northern China and Southern China with the Qinling Range and Huai River forming the natural zone of demarcation between them. It is customary to include Northeast China, often still referred to as Manchuria, in this Eastern region. Interregional Trade A benefit of China's varied geography is that a shortage of resources in one part of China can be overcome by trade with another part. In this way China historically has been able to develop internally by promoting interregional trade, as opposed to going outside the country as many smaller European countries had to do. Instead of industrializing to overcome shortages, China traded within its own borders, thus promoting commercial development. Similarly, a shortage in labor in one area could be filled by migration within the country or by shifting manufacturing to another area.

Geographic factors that facilitated this internal trade were the Chang Jiang (Yangzi River), the complex network of rivers in the south, and China's long coastline. China thus did not feel great pressure to develop labor-saving technologies or to engage in extensive expansionist or colonizing activities beyond its borders, in contrast to the West and Japan. (This contrasts markedly with the political and economic history of Europe, where the existence of many small countries led to trade barriers and local shortages, prompting individual countries to make technological advances and wage costly wars that contributed to the rise of large financial empires and engage in expansionist imperialism.) Disparity among Regions A recurrent problem, however, is that some regions in China have developed more quickly than others because of their location. For example, the coastline of China with its ports and fertile soil has developed more rapidly than western China with its deserts and mountains. Western China is more isolated and thus lags behind the coastal regions, a condition that can be seen clearly in this view of the Earth at night where only lights and fires are visible. Again, compare the U.S. and China to highlight the importance of locational factors and physical geography to economic development.

| back to top | Political Divisions The People's Republic of China has 34 major political divisions (Although the PRC considers Taiwan to be one of its provinces, Taiwan remains politically separate as the Republic of China).

Question: What name is given to the northeast part of China?
Answer: Manchuria