When we think of Asia, China immediately comes to mind, but this largest of the seven continents extends from the Arabian Peninsula, Turkey, and the Ural Mountains eastward to the Pacific Ocean. From the Arctic Ocean, it reaches south to the Indian Ocean. A tremendous number of islands off the mainland are considered to be part of the Asian continent. Generally from west to east, these include Cyprus, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, most of Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Japan.
Asia and Europe are part of the same mass of land. No body of water separates the two completely. Because of this, many classify the continent as Eurasia. Certain physical features, however, mark the division between these two continents. The Ural Mountains, Ural River, and Caspian Sea act as an east-west boundary in the north. The Dardanelles, Sea of Marmara, Bosporus Straight, Black Sea, and Caucasus Mountains connect to form a north-south border in the west.
The Asian continent is as diverse as it is vast. Enormous forests, tall snow-capped mountain ranges, deserts, plains, plateaus tundra, coastal regions, bays, lakes and more are abundant across the continent. In the southern region towards its northern border lie the Himalayas that include Mt. Everest, the world's highest mountain range. Rich, fertile soil lies south of the mountains. Central Asia has much of the continent's poorest land. Its main features include deserts, mountains, and rocky plateaus. East Asia's major rivers, the Huang He (Yellow River) and Yangtze, begin in the Tibetan Highlands and flow east across China. The Huang He empties into the Yellow Sea, and the Yangtze empties into the East China Sea. The Yangtze, which measures 3,900 miles (6,275 kilometers) long, is Asia's longest river. Have students conduct research on countries within this region, highlighting geographic similarities.
China: An Up-Close Look
Words to Highlight
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Zhongguo
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Chinese
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Mandarin
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Sichuan
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highlands
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uplands
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harbors
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basin
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terraced fields
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gorges
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plateaus
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wasteland
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drought
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desert
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arid
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mountain
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valleys
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lowland
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uplands
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delta
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stream
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river
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irrigation
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conservation
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Himalayas
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Mt. Everest
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Yangtze
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commune
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sorghum
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kaoliang
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China, endearingly referred to as Zhongguo (Middle Country) by its people, is the largest country in world population. It is a blend of past and present, of modern and traditional lifestyles. Approximately 1,300,000,000 people reside there today. Its major cities are found in the eastern portion of the country, where land is most suited for agriculture. Mt. Everest is its tallest mountain. It is bordered to the north by Mongolia, to the northwest Krygyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, to the southwest by India. Many languages are spoken throughout the country, however Mandarin (Putonghua), Min, Wu, and Yue (Cantonese) are considered major languages.
Most Chinese inhabitants live in traditional communities. Homes are often built of mud, brick or stone-covered with thatched straw or tiled rooftops. Family and community life is important here. Hundreds of households situated in the same locale constitute a communal-type neighborhood. Its people depend upon one another; they work for the good of the collective body. Although the land generally is not conducive to agriculture, farming is a major source of employment for its people. Sorghum (kaoliang), corn, and wheat are grown in the north. In southern China, sweet potatoes, rice, and tea serve as major crops. Apples, cabbages, carrots, corn, melons, potatoes, rubber, sugar beets, sugar cane, tomatoes, and wheat. Effective soil irrigation, diligent hand labor, coupled with the use of organic fertilizers helps to ensure productive use of farmland and soil conservation.
Geographers have divided the China into eight basic landmasses:
The desert areas of northeastern China constitute the
Xinjiang-Mongolian Uplands
. The Ordos and part of the Gobi Desert are in this locale.
The
Tibetan Highlands of Southwestern China
is an enormous plateau. The Huang and Yangste rivers begin in this region. Despite the existence of these waterways, Tibet suffers from drought. Surrounding lands are baren, laden with rock, gravel, snow and ice.
The
Mongolian Border Uplands
, where little farming occurs due to the rugged terrain and extensive mineral deposits. Rich in mineral resources, it is thinly populated due primarily to its rugged terrain.
The
Eastern Highlands
, known for its great forests, has hilly regions with rich coal deposits and excellent harbors.
The
Eastern Lowlands
house the best farmland in the country. Here lies the Yangtse River valley area, whose river helps to create the fertile soil.
The
Central Uplands
are brimming with hills and mountains. Wheat is grown north of the Qin Ling Mountains located in this region.
The
Sichuan Basin
, located south of the central uplands, is an agricultural region. Level strips of land known as terraced fields are used grow crops.
Limestone is abundant in the
Southern Uplands
of China. Much of this region is so mountainous and hilly that little agriculture and cultivation go on in this region.
Activity 1: Film -
Not One Less
(106 minutes)
(Because of the length of this film, it is suggested that
Not One Less
be presented in four sessions, constituting approximately 25 minutes per viewing. Have students record their observations on individual worksheets [see Attachment A] for each section.)
You are about to view a film that takes place in a village in northern China, on the outskirts of the country's capital and second largest city, Beijing.
Yi Ge Dou Bu Neng Shao
, the title of the film in Mandarin, is a somewhat modern-day story. Things have changed dramatically in China since that time. Were we to visit this beautiful region today, we would experience a blend of modern-day and traditional lifestyles. Nevertheless, we will pretend we are in this region and will intensely observe the film, focusing in on the storyline that is being conveyed. Look closely at the setting. Make a mental note of all the landscapes and ways of life you notice.
Questions to Explore
Students will record their observations on a film observation form (see Attachment A). While viewing the film, students are asked to keep in mind the following:
What types geographic regions did you observe?
How might the landscape impact the way people traveled?
What type of communities did you observe? Describe them.
Based on surrounding geography, how might its people have made a living?
What type of climate is depicted?
How did climate impact the way people dressed?
What language(s) were spoken throughout the film?
Look at lifestyles, environment, and overall landscape both within and outside of Beijing. How do they differ? How are they similar?
Activity 2: Story Map/Film
Students will complete a story map highlighting their basic understanding of the film. (See Attachment B.)
