1. Geography of China

2. “The Roof of the World” – Tibetan Plateau
A HUGE raised plain that forms most of Tibet
Sits higher than most mountaintops in the USA
Many of Asia’s largest rivers begin on this plateau
Short video:

3. Huang River (Yellow River)
3,000 miles long
Starts as a clear stream, but picks up silt on its journey
Spreads enough silt on the North China Plain to create a delta
China’s oldest civilization grew from farming communities along the lower part of the river
Short video:

4. The Huang River Valley GIANT curve around the Ordos Desert
Cuts through hilly region made of LOESS (yellow soil)
Short Video:

5. Loess: A Blessing and a Curse
Short Video (start at 4:10, end 5:00) - mksdqi8
Loess-silt helps farmers because it is fine, rock-free, and very fertile
Can easily be carried away by storms because it is light and fluffy
After storms, farmers are left with poor soil

6. Controlling the Floods
What happens when a levee breaks? Qiantang River footage:
Controlling the Floods
Unlike Egypt, did NOT welcome floods – they would wash away the soil
Built earth LEVEES (walls) to keep river in banks
Canals were built, but were sometimes ineffective – loess would clog them

7. Huang Valley’s Population Grew, and…
Farmers had to clear trees to plant crops
Erosion was a result: the wearing away of soil
Difficult for farmers to grow crops when soil is washed away
Famines occurred

8. Summing it Up (Answer in Partners)
How has loess helped China’s farmers? How has it caused problems?
Why was it important for ancient farmers to control the Huang River? What made it hard for them to achieve their goal?
What caused ancient farmers to strip loess-lands of their trees and shrubs? What effects did this have on life along the Huang?