1. Chinese River Valley Geography Aim: How did geography affect the development of early Chinese civilizations?

2. What’s special about Chinese history? Why should Americans care? unbroken China – Longest “unbroken” history among world civilizations (at least 5,000 years) The history for at least 1 in every 5 people (20%) in the world today (USA = 4.5%) China likely to re-emerge with the world’s largest economy before 2025 o China owned the world’s largest economy during 18 of the past 20 centuries (until the 1870s)

3. Do Now Which feature do you believe is the most important and why? a.Rivers b.Mountains c.Desert d.Ocean Read the article. What is unique about China?

4. Ancient China Physical Map China has all 4 geographic features! -mountains, rivers, deserts, and oceans

5. Why did the River Dynasties establish in this location?

6. Ancient Chinese Geography Deserts o Gobi o Taklamakan Mountains o Himalayas- Mount Everest 5.5 miles tall Surrounded by water to the east and south o South China Sea o Yellow Sea o Pacific Ocean

7. Ancient Chinese Geography Rivers o Yangtze River o Huang He (Yellow River)

8. “The Middle Kingdom” Isolation& Natural Defenses (mountains, rivers, deserts) Called themselves “the middle kingdom.” Why?

9. “The Middle Kingdom” Isolation  o Thought of their location as in the “center” of the world, surrounded by barbarians o Thought of themselves as chosen by the Gods as the most advanced and superior peoples o Ethnocentrism (ethnocentric)