Physical Geography of East Asia
Landforms East Asia includes the following countries: 1)China 2)Japan 3)North Korea 4)South Korea 5)Mongolia 6)Taiwan East Asia has high mountains, vast deserts, large plateaus, and wide basins. East Asia has high mountains, vast deserts, large plateaus, and wide basins. As a result, these barriers limit people’s movement and increase their isolation. As a result, these barriers limit people’s movement and increase their isolation.
Mountains The Himalayas, the world’s highest mountains, are located on the southwest edge of China. The Kunlun Mountains are located in the western part of China. These mountains are the source of 2 of China’s great rivers: The Huang He and the Chang Jiang. The Qinling Shandi Mountains are found in Southeastern China. These mountains serve as the dividing line between northern and southern China. (Look on pg. 611)
Landforms (Cont.) Although the landscape of east Asia is among the roughest in the world, few low, flat surfaces still exist. These include the Plateau of Tibet, the Tarim Pendi Basin, and the Taklimakan Desert in western China. All of these locations have very low populations. One of the largest deserts in the world is the Gobi Desert. It stretches from Northwest China into Mongolia and covers more than 500,000 sq. miles.
Plains Two other very important flat surfaces in East Asia are the North China Plain and the Manchurian Plain. These plains lie in northeastern China and are home to the highest populations in the region.
Peninsulas East Asia includes many important peninsulas. Most of these peninsulas are part of China. Bordering China on the east is the Korean Peninsula, which contains the two independent nations of North Korea and South Korea.
Islands There are a number of islands off the coast of China. These include the island of Hainan and part of Hong Kong. In 1997, Hong Kong became part of China (it used to be controlled by Britain). Island countries in East Asia include Taiwan, which used to belong to China, and Japan, which is a cluster of islands (archipelago). The isolation of these island countries have permitted them to develop greater security and peace than parts of the mainland.
Water Resources East Asia has many rivers and seas. These rivers have helped feed millions of people because of the fields they irrigate. Both the rivers and seas in East Asia provide plenty of fish and marine life for food. East Asia, especially Japan, has developed one of the largest fishing industries in the world.
Rivers -China has 4 great rivers which have been critical to the development of the region. 1) The Huang He (Yellow River) - This river starts in the Kunlun Mountains in the west and empties in the Yellow Sea. Both the sea and the river get their names from the yellow silt that the river carries. This river is sometimes called “China’s Sorrow” because of the terrible floods that it has caused. - This river starts in the Kunlun Mountains in the west and empties in the Yellow Sea. Both the sea and the river get their names from the yellow silt that the river carries. This river is sometimes called “China’s Sorrow” because of the terrible floods that it has caused. 2) The Chang Jiang (Yangtze River) - This river is the longest river in all of Asia. Its name means “long river”. It flows about 3,900 miles from Tibet to the East China Sea. It has been a major trade route since ancient times. Like the Yellow River, it also causes flooding and damage. - This river is the longest river in all of Asia. Its name means “long river”. It flows about 3,900 miles from Tibet to the East China Sea. It has been a major trade route since ancient times. Like the Yellow River, it also causes flooding and damage. 3) The Xi Jiang (West River) - This river flows eastward through southeast China and joins up with the Pearl River to flow into the South China Sea. Important mineral resources are located in the river’s valley. 4) The Yalu Jiang River -This river is about 500 miles long and forms a natural border between China and North Korea.