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
