Questions and Answers
What region has coasts on the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, the South China Sea, and the Pacific Ocean?
What name is given to about 92% of the people in China?
Han
Which plain is referred to as the 'heart' of the People's Republic of China?
Intensive farming is practiced in China.
Signup and view all the answers
What major climate barrier runs east to west across the North China Plain?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the Huang He River also known as?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the name of the main river in southern China?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a dynasty?
Signup and view all the answers
Which city was the capital of Chinese dynasties for over a thousand years?
Signup and view all the answers
Who is considered to be one of the greatest Chinese philosophers?
Signup and view all the answers
Confucianism emphasizes harmony and order.
Signup and view all the answers
Ancestor worship is not traditionally practiced in China.
Signup and view all the answers
What is the term for the political and spiritual leader in Tibetan Buddhism?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the largest agricultural region in China?
Signup and view all the answers
What significant structure was built primarily to protect China from invasions?
Signup and view all the answers
What significant dam in China will generate electricity equivalent to eighteen nuclear power plants?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the capital city of North Korea?
Signup and view all the answers
Which city is the capital of South Korea?
Signup and view all the answers
What do the Japanese call their country?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Pacific Rim
- The region includes coasts on the Yellow Sea, East China Sea, South China Sea, and Pacific Ocean.
Han
- Comprises about 92% of China's population, speaking one of the world's oldest languages.
North China Plain
- Known as the "real China," this area is the heart of the People's Republic and rich in petroleum and coal.
Intensive Farming
- A subsistence farming method in fertile regions, allowing dense crop production on small plots; commonly practiced by Chinese farmers.
Qin Ling Mountains
- Major climate barrier in China, running east to west through the central plain, reaching an elevation of 13,474 feet.
Huang He River
- Also known as the Yellow River, a significant northern river in China, referred to as "China's Sorrow" due to its devastating floods.
Chang River
- The main river in southern China, previously called the Yangtze River.
Dynasty
- Succession of rulers from the same family; the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty was Shih Huang Ti.
Xi'an
- Historical capital of Chinese dynasties for over a thousand years, home to the tomb of the first emperor and the Terra Cotta Army.
Confucius
- A Chinese philosopher from the Huang He region, predating the Qin dynasty.
Confucianism
- A philosophy shaped during the Han dynasty, emphasizing harmony, order, and practical service to others.
Ancestor Worship
- A traditional practice among the Chinese, focusing on revering deceased relatives.
Lao Zi
- Philosopher who lived in the fifth century BC; his teachings led to the development of Taoism.
Taoism
- Religion based on Lao Zi's teachings, characterized by the concepts of yin (female, dark, water) and yang (male, light, fire); includes texts such as the Tao Te Ching.
Sichuan Basin
- An agriculturally rich area in China, home to cities Chengdu and Chongqing.
Three Gorges Dam
- A massive dam project expected to produce electricity equivalent to eighteen nuclear power plants; measures 1.3 miles long and 607 feet high.
Shanghai
- The largest city in China, known for textile mills and as a financial hub.
Beijing
- China's second-largest city with a population of 7.74 million; served as the capital since 1267 and is a cultural and educational center.
Forbidden City
- Located in the heart of Beijing, this complex was the former residence of Chinese emperors.
Tiananmen Square
- The largest public square globally, historically significant for military reviews and the 1989 pro-democracy protests.
Tianjin
- Port city for Beijing, situated at the mouth of the Hai River.
Great Wall
- An iconic architectural feat built mainly during the 14th to 17th centuries to defend against invasions; spans approximately 3,946 miles.
Manchus
- The last foreign power to rule China.
Southern Uplands
- A diverse region with numerous ethnic groups and languages, featuring rich agricultural resources.
Hainan
- The largest island and southernmost province of China, known for rubber, bananas, and agriculture.
Xi River
- A key transportation hub in the Southern Uplands with a significant flow volume.
Guangzhou
- Largest city in the Xi River delta, known for its Cantonese-speaking population and industrial output.
Hong Kong
- Former British colony, now a major financial and trade center with a vibrant economy, returned to China in 1997.
Macau
- The oldest European colony in Asia, renowned for tourism and gambling, reverted to China in 1999.
Sun Yat-sen
- Played a vital role in establishing a republican government in China.
Chiang Kai-shek
- Successor to Sun Yat-sen, leading the Nationalist government.
Mao Zedong
- Key leader of the Communist Red Army, heralding the establishment of Communist China on October 1, 1949.
Great Leap Forward
- A campaign in 1958 aimed at rapidly transforming China into a socialist society through industrial and agricultural collectivization.
Cultural Revolution
- Initiated in 1966 by Mao, targeting intellectuals and opponents, leading to widespread persecution.
Red Guard
- Bands of zealous youths participating in the Cultural Revolution's radical campaign.
Deng Xiaoping
- Mao's successor focused on economic modernization, including encouraging private businesses and foreign investments.
Special Economic Zones
- Designated areas in China promoting foreign investment and economic reforms.
Autonomous Region
- Provides limited self-governance for specific minority groups; most only possess minor powers.
Guangxi
- An autonomous region on the southeastern coast, bordering Vietnam.
Zhuang
- China's largest ethnic minority, mainly inhabiting Guangxi, with over fifteen million members.
Tibet (Xizang)
- Known as "The Roof of the World," features high elevations including Mt. Everest, with low population density.
Lhasa
- The capital city of Tibet, located in the Tsangpo Valley.
Dalai Lama
- Spiritual and governmental leader in Tibet, recognized as a reincarnation of Buddha; the current Dalai Lama is Tenzin Gyatso.
Theocrat
- A ruler who governs by divine authority.
Xinjiang
- The largest political division in China, characterized by deserts and high mountains, with a Muslim population.
Taklimakan Desert
- Considered one of the driest places in Asia, featuring the low-lying Turpan Depression.
Nei Mongol
- The Chinese-controlled region of Inner Mongolia, primarily consisting of Gobi Desert and steppes.
Ningxia
- A small Chinese region known for its Hui Muslim population adhering to Islam.
Taiwan
- An island off China's coast featuring mountainous terrain and significant rice farming.
Taipei
- The capital of Taiwan, which emerged as a government center after the 1949 nationalist retreat.
Quemoy
- An island claimed by Chinese nationalists, located west of central Taiwan.
Matsu
- An island northwest of Taiwan also claimed by nationalists.
Gers
- Traditional collapsible tents, known as yurts in Russian terminology.
Ulaanbaatar
- The capital and major urban center of Mongolia, situated in prime grazing land.
Gobi Desert
- Recognized as the world’s coldest desert, this sandy expanse features significant elevation.
Potala Palace
- Constructed in 1694, serving as a museum and housing the tombs of Dalai Lamas.
Korean Peninsula
- Borders China and Russia, delineated by the Yalu and Tumen Rivers in the north.
Taebaek Mountains
- Mountain range running through the Korean Peninsula.
Demilitarized Zone
- A buffer zone where military presence is prohibited.
Kim Il Sung
- North Korea's initial leader who isolated the nation.
Juche
- State worship ideology in North Korea, also known as Kimilsungism.
Kim Jong Il
- Successor to Kim Il Sung, maintaining a repressive regime known as "the Dear Leader."
Pyongyang
- North Korea's capital and sole university location.
Seoul
- Capital of South Korea and a significant manufacturing hub, recognized as the seventh largest city globally.
Nippon
- The term used by Japanese people to describe their country, meaning "Source of the Sun."
Prefectures
- The administrative divisions in Japan.
Shinto
- Indigenous religion emphasizing the worship of kami, spirits inhabiting nature.
Honshu
- Japan's largest island housing over 80% of the population, containing 34 of 47 prefectures.
Tokyo
- The largest and most populous city in Japan, part of the world's largest megapolis.
Yokohama
- Japan's main port and second-largest city.
Fujiyama
- Known as Mt. Fuji, this is Japan's highest peak at 12,389 feet.
Kyoto
- Former capital of Japan for over a thousand years, combining rich history and culture.
Samurai
- Warriors serving feudal lords, the daimyo, whose conflicts sparked civil wars.
Shogun
- Title meaning "Great General," referring to military rulers of Japan until 1867.
Nagoya
- Japan's fourth-largest city with a population of 2.18 million.
Hiroshima
- Site of the first atomic bomb explosion, with a present-day population of 1.14 million.
Shikoku
- The smallest of Japan's four main islands, less populated and heavily forested.
Kyushu
- Historically significant first settlement area in Japan, now supporting 10% of the population.
Okinawa
- The fifth most populous island, distinct from Japan's four main islands.
Iwo Jima
- A volcanic island located farther south of Japan's main islands.
Hokkaido
- The northernmost and second-largest Japanese island, with Sapporo being its largest city.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Master key concepts from Chapter 20 of BJU Cultural Geography with these flashcards. Explore important terms like the Pacific Rim, Han, and North China Plain to deepen your understanding of the geographical and cultural aspects of China. Perfect for students aiming to enhance their geographic knowledge and retention skills.
