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World Geography Today
Chapter 27
China, Mongolia, and Taiwan
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Section 1: Natural Environments
Section 2: History and Culture
Section 3: The Region Today
Chapter Wrap-Up
World Geography Today
Chapter 27
Section 1: Natural Environments
Read to Discover
• What are the major landforms and rivers in
China, Mongolia, and Taiwan?
• Which climate types are found in the
region?
• What are China’s main natural resources?
World Geography Today
Chapter 27
Section 1: Natural Environments
Landforms and Rivers
• China
• Mountains—Himalayas, Kunlun Shan, Tian Shan, Altay
Shan, Greater Khingan Range
• Plateaus and basins—Plateau of Tibet, Tarim Basin, Turpan
Depression
• Plains and river valleys—Coastal plain, Red (Sichuan)
Basin, North China Plain, Manchurian Plain
• Major rivers—Huang, Chang, Xi
• Mongolia—Mongolian Plateau, Gobi Desert
• Taiwan—High mountains in east; flatter area in west
World Geography Today
Chapter 27
Section 1: Natural Environments
Question
What types of climate are found
in the various regions of
China, Mongolia, and Taiwan?
World Geography Today
Chapter 27
Section 1: Natural Environments
Climate Types in China, Mongolia, and Taiwan
Region
Southeastern China and Taiwan
Northeastern China
Climate Type
Humid
subtropical
Humid
continental
Western China
Highland
North-central China and Mongolia
Semiarid and arid
World Geography Today
Chapter 27
Section 1: Natural Environments
Climates
• Monsoon system has major impact; eastern third of China
receives most rainfall
• Mild humid subtropical—Southeastern China, Taiwan
• Humid continental—Northeastern China; warm humid summers
and cold dry winters
• Dry highland—Western China, Tibet; cold, rain shadow in
Taklimakan Desert
• Semiarid and arid—North-central China and Mongolia; extreme
temperatures (high elevation and latitudes)
World Geography Today
Chapter 27
Section 1: Natural Environments
Resources
• Minerals—Top producer of coal, lead, tin, tungsten; also
iron ore, bauxite, gold, other metals
• Energy—Oil, natural gas, hydroelectric power (Three
Gorges Dam)
• Soils—Wide variety, but only 10 percent arable; nomadic
herding, ducks, peanuts, rice, citrus fruits, tea, sugarcane,
wheat, sorghum, millet, soybeans
• Fishing, aquaculture; silk production
World Geography Today
Chapter 27
Section 2: History and Culture
Read to Discover
• What are some important events in the region’s
early history?
• What major political events have affected the
region’s modern history?
• What are some features of Chinese culture?
World Geography Today
Chapter 27
Section 2: History and Culture
Early History
• First dynasty, the Shang, emerged along Chang River,
1700s B.C.
• Qin, the first imperial dynasty, began Great Wall in
200s B.C.
• Han dynasty (202 B.C.–A.D. 220) built great empire.
• After period of decline, Chinese power returned in 600s
under T’ang and Sung.
• Mongols conquered China by 1279.
World Geography Today
Chapter 27
Section 2: History and Culture
Modern Political Events
• Europeans set up trade colonies beginning in 1557.
• China lost wars and territory to European powers in
1800s.
• Sun Yat-sen formed Republic of China in 1912.
• Japan seized Manchuria, then occupied eastern China
during World War II.
• After the war, Communists under Mao took over;
Nationalists fled to Taiwan.
World Geography Today
Chapter 27
Section 2: History and Culture
Modern Political Events (continued)
• Mao’s Great Leap Forward and Cultural
Revolution brought decline and chaos.
• China moved toward modernization and market
economy under Deng Xiaoping.
• Leaders crushed pro-democracy movement in
1989.
World Geography Today
Chapter 27
Section 2: History and Culture
Question
What are some of the key elements
of Chinese culture?
World Geography Today
Chapter 27
Section 2: History and Culture
Elements of Chinese Culture
Language
Mandarin is the
official language,
but many dialects
are spoken.
The written
language uses
some characters
called pictograms.
Major Religions
and Belief Systems
Buddhism
Taoism emphasizes
living a simple life in
harmony with nature.
Confucianism centers
on family loyalty, duty,
and education.
Artistic Traditions
Poetry; calligraphy;
landscape painting;
pottery, especially
porcelain; wooden
houses built on stone
foundations, tiled
roofs that curve
upward
World Geography Today
Chapter 27
Section 2: History and Culture
Cultural Features
• Han Chinese form majority of population.
• Mandarin is the main language.
• Major religions are Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism.
• Minority groups mainly live along borders and in west;
maintain distinct cultures.
• Most people live in eastern regions, especially coast and
river valleys.
World Geography Today
Chapter 27
Section 2: History and Culture
Cultural Features (continued)
• Migration from rural areas is causing rapid urbanization.
• Great art traditions include architecture, literature,
calligraphy, music, painting, and pottery.
• Chinese food is highly varied and has spread around
the world.
• Diet is based on rice, noodles, bread, tofu, vegetables,
pork, poultry, duck, seafood, tea.
World Geography Today
Chapter 27
Section 3: The Region Today
Read to Discover
• What are China’s major regions?
• What is Mongolia like today?
• What is Taiwan’s relationship with China?
World Geography Today
Chapter 27
Section 3: The Region Today
Major Regions of China
• Southern China—Most productive economic region, with a large
percentage of the population; “China’s rice bowl”; Shanghai, largest
city in China; Special Economic Zones
• Northern China—Includes North China Plain and Beijing (capital);
dams for irrigation and hydroelectricity along the Huang River
• Northeastern China—Formerly called Manchuria; rich in resources;
nomadic herding common
• Western China—Includes Tibet and Muslim Turk regions; dry, high,
and cold; herders and irrigation farmers; Dalai Lama lives in exile
World Geography Today
Chapter 27
Section 3: The Region Today
Question
What are some important geographic facts
about Mongolia?
World Geography Today
Chapter 27
Section 3: The Region Today
Mongolia: Geographic Facts
Area
More than twice as big as Texas
Population
2.6 million (least population density in the world)
Capital
Ulaanbaatar
Main Religion
Tibetan Buddhism
Major Resources
Coal, copper, oil
Economic Activity
Herding livestock—people outnumbered by livestock
Industries
Processed foods, clothing, footwear, paper
Major Challenges
Mongolia faces food shortages and a shortage of water
resources. Its isolated and landlocked location make it
difficult to attract investment and economic aid.
World Geography Today
Chapter 27
Section 3: The Region Today
Taiwan vs. China
• Taiwan is one of Asia’s richest and most industrialized
countries.
• Exports include computers, scientific instruments, and
sports equipment.
• China claims Taiwan as a province; Taiwan claims to be
the legitimate government of China.
• Economic interdependence draws them closer, but
political and economic differences remain.
World Geography Today
Chapter 27
Chapter Wrap-Up Understanding the Main Ideas
1. How diverse are China’s natural environments? Explain
your answer.
2. Why is there a growing concern in China over a lack of
water resources?
3. During which dynasty did distinctive Chinese culture traits
such as the use of chopsticks and the early use of
money develop?
4. How did Mao’s Great Leap Forward cause an
environmental disaster?
5. Which region of China is known as China’s rice bowl?