Physical Features: Northeast Plain
The Northeast Plain covers more than 150,000 square miles. This plain is only about 160 feet above see level. The Plain is the largest alluvial plain in East Asia and is formed by the deposits of the Yellow River. To the north of the plain are Yanshan Mountains and to the west Taihang Mountains and the Shanxi plateau. The plain is to the north of the Yangtze Plain. The Yellow River cuts through the plain and empties into the Bohai Gulf. Beijing, the capitol of China is at the northeast edge of the plain which is called “Land of the Yellow Earth.” The Northeast Plain is one of China’s most important areas for growing crops, such as corn, wheat, vegetables, and cotton.
Cultural Locations: Shanghai
Shanghai is located at the tip of the Yangtze River as it enters the Pacific Ocean. The city is one of the largest in China and is an important center for the Chinese economy. The city is also important in China’s history, its art, and its culture. Today, Shanghai is a very modern city influenced by Europe and America. The city has always been involved in trading because of its location at the mouth of a major river and as a port on the ocean. Because of the wealth the city acquired, it attracted artists and entertainers throughout its history. The city has been influenced by the French and other outside cultures.
Historical Influence: Imperial Japan
For much of its history, Japan was a isolated country that tried to keep outside influences away. Trade was limited and in many ways Japan was behind the rest of the world. The US entered Japan in 1853 and showed many advances of industrialization. The Japanese began to open up to the outside world, but was still ruled by an emperor. Japan became more military and invaded China by 1894 to expand their territories. They invaded China and Korea in 1931 and held most of Southeast Asia and parts of China until the end of WWII.
Contemporary Issues: 2008 Sichuan Earthquake
The earthquake that struck China’s Sichuan province in 2008 was a 7.9 magnitude quake, the strongest one on earth that year and the biggest to hit China in more than 30 years. Although the official death total was never given, more than 80,000 people died as a result of the earthquake. More than 400,000 were injured. The earthquake was located on the plate boundary between the Tibetan Plateau and Sichuan Basin. The center of the earthquake was in Chengdu where 11,000,000 people live. Buildings collapsed and trapped thousands of people. Some scientists think that the damming of a river may have caused the earthquake because of the 320,000,000 tons of water that was pushing down on the crust.
Learning Team 2 