East Asia Ch. 28

Cultural Geography of East Asia

East Asia is a region with stark contrasts between highly industrialized countries, heavily urbanized areas, poor rural areas, and largely unpopulated mountains and deserts. China is the cultural cradle of the region and today is the country with the largest population and size. Communism dominates in North Korea and China, where the standard of living, health care, and education lag behind that of Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea.

Human Characteristics About 25 percent of the world's population lives in East Asia (1.5 Billion people). Most countries are ethnically homogeneous, although minorities, such as the Tibetans in China, are found in each China 92% of Chinese belong to the Han ethnic group The remaining 8% belong to 55 different ethnic groups Japan, Korea, & Mongolia 99% Japanese are ethnic Japanese Descendants of Asian migrants who crossed the Korean Peninsula Koreans trace their ancestors from N. China People in Mongolia are mostly ethnic Mongolians Speak Khalkha

Where Asians Live Population Density & Distribution More than 90% of China’s population live on less than 20% of the land East Asians settle in coastal areas or in fertile areas along rivers Japan and Taiwan have only limited space available and are mostly urbanized Tokyo metropolitan area is home to more than 28 million people Mongolia and the western province of Xinjiang in China have sparse populations 4 people/sq. mi

Migration & Challenges of Growth In recent decades many people in China and South Korea have moved from rural, desert, or mountainous areas to find jobs in cities. Population growth also has contributed to overcrowding in cities Has led to farm labor shortages Newly built rural towns with more social services will encourage people to stay Since 1979, the Chinese government has permitted only 1 child/couple

Ancient East Asia China became the region's culture hearth, with the earliest civilization developing in the valley of the Wei River Faced invasions & rebellion The dynasty was said to have lost the “mandate of heaven” & gave way to a new ruling family Zhou Dynasty Chinese culture spread & trade grew The teachings of Confucius & Laozi had a profound influence on life Followed by many dynasties that expanded China’s borders Qin Dynasty United all of China & built the Great Wall to keep out invaders

Ancient East Asia Several dynasties ruled China into the early 1900s, and by A.D. 620 merchants, travelers, and missionaries took elements of Chinese culture to all of East Asia, including Korea and Japan Korea & Japan Buddhism spread from China to become Korea’s chief religion Korean dynasties united the Korean Peninsula In 1300 the Chinese took control of Korea Korean government & educational system were based on Confucianism China & Korea had a major impact on Japanese civilization In the 400s Japanese clans united under the Yamato dynasties Yamato emperors adopted Chinese writing, philosophy, & government From the 1100-1800s a series of military leaders called shoguns ruled Japan

Modern East Asia During the 1800s China and Japan were forced to open their countries to trade with Europe and the United States. During the 1900s East Asia became involved in two world wars. Revolutionary China In 1911 a revolution ended the rule of dynasties in China By 1927 Chiang Kai-shek formed the national government After a civil war that ended in 1949, communist Mao Zedong set up the People's Republic of China on the Chinese mainland rival Nationalist Chiang Kai-shek and his followers fled to the island of Taiwan. Japan’s Transformation From the 1890s to the 1940s Japan used diplomacy & military force to create an empire After World War II Japan rebuilt its shattered economy and emerged as a global economic power by the late 1900s.

Modern East Asia A Divided Korea A Free Mongolia In 1950 communist ruled North Korea invaded South Korea During the Korean War the UN led by the US rushed to South Korea’s defense In 1953 a truce was signed Korea continues to be divided between the American-backed south and the communist-led north by the 38th parallel. A Free Mongolia From 1924-1991 Mongolia was a communist state under the influence of the Soviet Union Mongolia enjoys a democracy since the end of the Soviet Union.

East Asia’s Languages China’s Language Japanese & Korean Language The diverse backgrounds of the people in East Asia are reflected in the different languages they speak, although some Chinese words have found their way into the Japanese and Korean languages China’s Language Most Chinese speak Mandarin, the northern dialect of Han Chinese. Chinese languages use ideograms in their writing. Japanese & Korean Language Japanese language developed in isolation Experts believe it may be related to Korean & Mongolian Japan’s 1st writing system was based on Chinese characters In more recent times western languages have influenced the Korean & Japanese languages

Religion & Philosophy East Asians hold a variety of religious beliefs, but the communist governments of China and North Korea discourage religious practices Traditional Religion & Philosophy Buddhism, Daoism, & Confucianism Shintoism: ancient Japanese religion Christianity: widespread in Korea Islam: found in western China Communism China & North Korea discourage religion China has placed harsh restrictions on Tibet Dali Lama leads worldwide movement from India

Standard of Living During the 1900s, East Asia experienced tremendous economic development. Japan, Taiwan, & South Korea grew wealthy & many of their citizens achieved high standards of living. China enjoyed significant economic advances, individual conditions varied widely. China’s economy still trails that of Japan; however, it is growing quickly

Japan’s Downturn & Recovery China’s New Direction Japanese traditionally value loyalty to society in return for protection & support People are expected to work long hours, & in return employment is secure and wages are fair In 1997 Japan suffered a recession and companies laid people off Since then there are less rewards & less loyalty China’s New Direction The course of China’s economy changed in the 1970s when a new leader (Deng Xiaoping) came to power Deng allowed limited free enterprise & private ownership He welcomed foreign investment in China Since the 1970s economic reforms have helped to raise the standard of living Most Chinese; however, are still based in agriculture

Education & Health Care Education and health care are more available in the richer countries and in urban areas Literacy & Learning Japan, Taiwan, & the Koreas have literacy rates of 95% or higher. China & Mongolia have literacy rates of 82% *Young Koreans spend 14 years in education Health Care Communist countries provide free health care as China moves towards a free market economy the gov’t is no longer guaranteeing free health care Traditional Medicine Many E. Asians rely on western & traditional medicine

Even though China is now allowing some free enterprise, the Chinese lag behind their richer neighbors in their standard of living. East Asians engage in a variety of leisure activities, and literature, music, and theater play prominent roles in their lives.

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