East Asia Video Notes

Geography Asia and the Pacific make up about 1/3 of all the land area. Asia is the Largest continent. Volcanoes make islands. Tectonic plates create mountains. Asia begins at the Ural Mountains and the Caspian Sea. Most important rivers are the Huang and the Chang; the longest is the Chang. You will find the Gobi Desert and the Mongolian Plateau in northern China and Mongolia. The Tibetan plateau is where the Huang and Chang rivers begin.

Geography - Religion The region’s longest river is the Chang (Yangtze). Most people live in the low lands. Japan’s native religion is Shinto, which has been mixed with Buddhism. Buddhism is practiced in North Korea, South Korea and Vietnam. Buddhism focuses on ancestors and spirits.

China The government was called the Republic of China. China has the largest population in the world.

Government - History From 1200 – 1700 AD, Japan had a Feudal society. Feudalism is a system of government where less powerful people promise loyalty to more powerful people. Emperor Shogun military leader Dynino – Warlords of regions For 400 years the Dynino controlled Japan. Samurai warrior 800 years ago Samurai swords were being made. Mid 1500’s there was the introduction of guns and gun powder.

North and South Korea North Korea is a communist country and South Korea is a democratic country. North and South Korea separated into communist and non-communist countries after World War II. U.S. helped South Korea contain North Korea and keep it’s freedom.

Art/Literature/Music China uses a lot of gold and bright colors. Ancestral music is often played. The kimono is a style of dress in Japan. The art of the Samurai warrior is well known.