Physical Geography of East and Southeast Asia. China, Mongolia, & Taiwan China is the 3 rd largest country in the world (about the size of the contiguous.

Physical Geography of East and Southeast Asia

China, Mongolia, & Taiwan

• China is the 3rd largest country in the world (about the size of the contiguous U.S.)

• Mountains cover more than 40% of China

• Between the mountains are large plateaus and basins– The Plateau of Tibet is the

world’s highest plateau

China, Mongolia, & Taiwan

• Plains and river valleys are the most densely populated areas of China

• Yellow River is the most famous, also known as “China’s Sorrow”

• North of China is the landlocked country of Mongolia. Much of the country is desert or grassland.

• South of China is Taiwan, an island which is threatened by earthquakes.

China, Mongolia, & Taiwan

• The Asian monsoon system influences climates in China. – Cold, dry winters and warm, humid summers

• SE China and Taiwan have a humid subtropical climate

• Plateau of Tibet has a cold and dry climate

• Mongolia’s interior location and high elevation cause it to have extreme temps.

China, Mongolia, & Taiwan

• China has a huge number of plant and animal species.

• It also has many energy and mineral resources.– China is the world’s

leading producer of coal, lead, tin, and tungsten

China, Mongolia, & Taiwan

• Hydropower is a major energy resource in China.

• China is building the world’s largest dam, the Three Gorges Dam, in a effort to reduce pollution.

• The dam is controversial because it will disrupt ecosystems and farmland and historical sites will be lost.

China, Mongolia, & Taiwan

• Only about 10% of China is arable– Paddy fields along the

Chang River, loess deposits in northern China

– Peanuts, rice, sugarcane, and other crops are grown in China

• China also has rich fishing resources

• China also produces more silk than any other country

Physical Features of Japan & the Koreas

Japan Koreas

Physical Features of Japan & the Koreas

Japan Koreas

• Four major islands

•Japanese Alps, Mt. Fuji

•Coastal plains – densely populated

•Volcanoes

• Peninsula

• Hills and low mountains

• Yalu and Tumen Rivers

• Many small islands

•Forests

•Mountains

•Coastal plains

Japan & the Koreas

• The Asian monsoon system also affects the climate of Japan and the Koreas.

• Some areas receive 40-60 in. of rain per year and typhoons occasionally strike.

• Japan spans almost the same latitudes as the eastern U.S. so the climates are very similar.

Japan & the Koreas

• Mineral and energy resources are limited in Japan so the country relies heavily on oil and coal imports.

• Nuclear and hydropower plants have helped both Japan and the Koreas depend less on oil.

• More than 65% of Japan is forested.• Japan and the Koreas depend heavily on

the seas.

Southeast Asia

• Northern SE Asia: mountain ranges fan out from the Himalayas and Plateau of Tibet

• Central region: plains and low plateaus

• River valleys and deltas make up the third landform region. These areas support intensive agriculture and dense populations. The Mekong River along the border of

Thailand

Southeast Asia

• Island SE Asia is made up of more than 20,000 islands

• The region’s larger islands have high mountains

• This region has been shaped by tectonic processes– Earthquakes and

volcanic eruptions are common here

Southeast Asia

• Mainland and island SE Asia have tropical or subtropical climates.– These include tropical humid

and tropical wet and dry climates.

• Typhoons often occur in the islands, especially in the Philippines.

• These climates support a vast number of plants and animals. – Indonesia has about 10% of the

world’s remaining rainforests.

Southeast Asia

• Timber is a major natural resource of SE Asia.– Deforestation is a problem– Thailand has set up national parks to help slow

deforestation.

• Many minerals, fossil fuels, and gems are found in SE Asia

• Thailand has natural gas, Myanmar has oil, and Vietnam has coal

• Brunei and Indonesia have both natural gas and oil