Ch. 27: East Asia’s Cultural Geography

China Beijing Cities are growing at an alarming rate in China! How might this impact the people, landscape etc. Beijing

Rural v. Urban Rural Urban

Population patterns The people 92% of the Chinese population belong to the Han ethnic group The Hans a powerful ancient ruling family. 8% belong to over 55 different ethnic groups Tibet: (non-Chinese ethnic group) – once a Buddhist kingdom Taiwan: (descended from Chinese) Mongolia: (ethnic Mongolians) Descended from the Mongols – largest ethnic empire!

Mongolians Tibetans Taiwanese

Population Patterns Density and Distribution China – 90%+ live on 1/6th of land Fertile valleys like the Huang He, Chang Jiang, and Xi rivers.

Population Patterns Urban Growth: Majority of Chinese work and live on farms Millions, migrating to the cities = overcrowding Leads to farm shortages China is building new AGR. Towns with amenities Led to 1979 one child policy Largest age group (as of 2009) 35-44 Think about when the one child policy was enacted!

History and Government Early History Home to the earliest East Asian Civilization more than 5,000 years ago. Records kept under the Shang Dynasty (ruling family) Faced rebellions, attacks and natural disasters – eventually leading to its demise =( It no longer had the “Mandate of Heaven” Zhou dynasty follows the Shang Dynasty

History and Government Early History Zhou Dynasty Lasted 800 years Brings the spread of culture Confucius – Confucianism – based on moral conduct.         “I dreamed I was a butterfly, flitting around in the sky; then I awoke. Now I wonder: Am I a man who dreamt of being a butterfly, or am I a butterfly dreaming that I am a man?” Laozi – Daoism – based on living in harmony with nature The art of doing nothing

History and Government Early History Qin Shi Huang Di Dynasty (Chin…where china comes from) Unites China-ward off attacks from central asia – GREAT WALL Han and Tang Dynasties – culture is spread to all of east Asia Ming Dynasty – Chinese infliuences reach east Africa Many Europeans wanted to be involed with Asia…they refused until 1890s when they claim part of China with Japan – Spheres of Influence

During its construction, the Great Wall was called “the longest cemetery on earth” because so many people died building it. Reportedly, it cost the lives of more than one million people died

History and Government Modern China Revolutionary China 1911 – end of emperical rule 1927 – Chiang Kai-shek – nationalist gov. 1949 – Mao Zedong and communists take over NOTE: Nationalists flee to Taiwan

History and Government Modern China Economic Changes “Great Leap Forward” 1950s Lg. gov owed farms replace small scale farms Don’t produce enough food for country MILLIONS die of starvation 1970s Deng Xiaoping – allows private biz and foreign enterprise Late 1900’s – strict communism – allows some free markets Taiwan = democratic reforms.

Great Leap Forward Famine

Great Leap Forward Protests

History and Government Modern China A tale of Two Chinas Taiwan – economic powerhouse that wants to reunite Intertwined with china – invested billions in factories on mainland China Makes key computer and electronic parts.

History and Government Modern China A Free Mongolia 1911 – revolution – outer Mongolia was province of China 1924-1991 – communists state under the Soviets 1991 – adopts democratic constitution = free elections and economic reform.

Culture Education and Health Care Communist government pushed for literacy for all! Cultural revolution - Upheaval in the 1960s Literacy suffers, schools and factories close Better Health care – life expectancy 70 Gov. pays for healthcare

Culture Language and Religion Majority speak Mandarin – Han dialect Uses ideograms - pictures

Culture Language and Religion Communism discourages Religion – large atheist population Some Buddhists, Confucians, and Daoists Chinese government restricts religious practices in Tibet Can’t even own a photo of the Dalai Lama

Culture The Arts http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-dPC-srIbs