East Asia Geography Overview

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is a significant royal palace location in Korea?

Male

Beijing

Seoul (correct)

Ulaanbaatar

What does 'Hansik' refer to in Korean culture?

Korean food (correct)

Korean art

Korean fashion

Korean history

Which of these is NOT traditionally considered a side dish in a Korean meal?

Bulgogi

Kimchi

Banchan

Samgyeopsal (correct)

What is the capital city of Mongolia?

Ulaanbaatar Signup and view all the answers

Which country in East Asia is bordered by both Russia and China?

Mongolia Signup and view all the answers

What is the main religion practiced by most people in China?

Confucianism Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following countries is NOT a member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)?

China Signup and view all the answers

What is the capital of the Republic of Maldives?

Male Signup and view all the answers

What is the capital of Taiwan?

Taipei Signup and view all the answers

Which mountain is the highest in East Asia?

Mount Jade Signup and view all the answers

Which river is recognized as the longest in East Asia?

Yangtze River Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following countries is NOT considered a Special Administrative Region (SAR)?

Taiwan Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following terms refers to Japanese-style wrestling?

Sumo Signup and view all the answers

What is a popular beverage associated with Taiwan?

Bubble milk tea Signup and view all the answers

Which festival registered in UNESCO intangible cultural heritage is observed in Japan during summer?

Gion Festival Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Hong Kong' literally translate to in Cantonese?

Fragrant harbor Signup and view all the answers

What is the capital city of Nepal?

Kathmandu Signup and view all the answers

Which country is known as 'Land of the Thunder Dragon'?

Bhutan Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following countries is NOT bordered by India?

Afghanistan Signup and view all the answers

In which country is eating beef forbidden among Hindus?

Nepal Signup and view all the answers

What is the capital of Bangladesh?

Dhaka Signup and view all the answers

Which mountain is known as the highest in the world?

Mt. Everest Signup and view all the answers

What is the previous ancient capital of Bhutan?

Punakha Signup and view all the answers

Which city means 'City of Islam'?

Islamabad Signup and view all the answers

What is the capital of Kazakhstan?

Nursultan Signup and view all the answers

Which dish is considered the national dish of Kazakhstan?

Beshbarmark Signup and view all the answers

Which country is known for the Pamir Mountain range, often referred to as 'The Roof of the World'?

Tajikistan Signup and view all the answers

What is the traditional dwelling of Turkic nomads called?

Yurt Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common beverage in Tajikistan?

Green Tea Signup and view all the answers

Which country was formerly known as Turkmenia?

Turkmenistan Signup and view all the answers

What is the capital of Uzbekistan?

Tashkent Signup and view all the answers

What type of terrain is Kyrgyzstan primarily known for?

Mountains Signup and view all the answers

What is the capital of Jordan?

Amman Signup and view all the answers

Which historical site is known as the 'Rose City'?

Petra Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following foods is considered traditional for Jordan?

Mansaf Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Jerusalem in religious history?

It is known as 'The Holy Land'. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Kosher' refer to?

Foods prepared according to Jewish dietary laws. Signup and view all the answers

Which ingredient is NOT typically used in Jordanian cuisine?

Tofu Signup and view all the answers

What is the Via Dolorosa known for?

A pilgrimage route in Jerusalem. Signup and view all the answers

What are the categories of kosher foods?

Meat, dairy, and vegetables. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

East Asia

East Asia is home to the largest country in Asia, China, and the largest desert, the Gobi Desert.
East Asia encompasses six countries, two of which are Special Administrative Regions (SARs).
The largest country in East Asia is China.
The biggest island in East Asia is Japan.
The longest river in East Asia is the Yangtze River.
The highest mountain in East Asia is Mt. Jade Mountain (Yushan) in Taiwan.
The region's major rivers include the Yellow River (Huang He), the Long River (Chan Jiang), and the West River (Xi Jiang).

Taiwan - Republic of China (ROC)

Taiwan, formerly known as "Formosa", which translates to "beautiful", is surrounded by Japan to the north and the Philippines to the south.
Taiwan is famous for its pearl milk tea.
Taipei is the capital of Taiwan.

Japan – Nihon or Nippon

Japan is known as the “Land of the Rising Sun”.
Japan experiences four distinct seasons offering spectacular scenery.
Spring (March to May) is cherry blossom season.
Winter (December to February) is ideal for skiing and enjoying onsen (hot springs).
Summer (June to mid-September) is the best time to experience festivals like the Gion Festival in Kyoto, a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.
Fall (September to November) showcases vibrant foliage and colorful leaves.
Popular Japanese cuisine includes ramen and sushi.
Sumo, a Japanese-style wrestling, is a popular national sport.
Budo, which includes Kendo, are Japanese martial arts.
Tokyo is the capital of Japan.

Hong Kong – Xianggang Special Administrative Region

Hong Kong, which translates to "fragrant harbor", was a former British colony until 1997.
It is known as a popular shopping destination for tourists.
Victoria is the capital of Hong Kong.

Macau – Macau Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China

Macau, a former Portuguese colony until 1999, is known for its casinos and dubbed the "Las Vegas of Asia".
Macao is the capital of Macau.

South Korea – Republic of Korea

South Korea occupies the southern part of the Korean Peninsula.
Seoul, the capital of South Korea, houses significant royal palaces of the Joseon dynasty.
Korean beauty products are increasingly popular among international visitors.
Korean cuisine is referred to as "Hansik".
"Bap" (rice) is traditionally served as a staple food.
"Banchan", an essential part of a Korean meal, includes multiple side dishes.
"Kimchi", a fermented and seasoned vegetable, is another prominent side dish.
"Bulgogi" is thinly sliced marinated meat (beef, pork, or chicken).
"Bibimbap" is a rice bowl topped with vegetables and meat, served with gochujang sauce.
"Japchae" is a dish consisting of sweet potato noodles, beef, and stir-fried vegetables.
"Hanok" is a traditional Korean house.

China – People’s Republic of China (PRC)

China is the largest country in East Asia.
Beijing, the capital of China, is an ancient city and a center for economics, politics, and culture.
Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism are prevalent religions and philosophies in China.

Mongolia

Mongolia is a landlocked country bordered by Russia and China.
Ulaanbaatar (sometimes spelled Ulan Bator) is the capital and largest city of Mongolia.
The people of Mongolia practice Buddhism and Shamanism.
Nomadic lifestyles are still prevalent in Mongolia.
Mongolia is known for its domestic animals, including camels, sheep, goats, horses, yaks, and cattle.

North Korea – Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

North Korea occupies the northern part of the Korean Peninsula.
It is bordered by China and Russia.
North Korea is known for its significant monuments and towers.
Pyongyang is the capital of North Korea.

South Asia or Southern Asia - The Indian Subcontinent

The Indian Subcontinent encompasses eight nations.
All these countries are members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), founded in 1985, to promote the welfare of South Asian people.
South Asia is the birthplace of Hinduism, Sikhism, and Buddhism.

Maldives – Republic of Maldives (Island Country)

Maldives is an island country with Male as its capital.

India – Republic of India

India is the largest country in South Asia.
New Delhi is the national capital of India.
India is the birthplace of Buddhism, epic stories such as the Mahabharata and Ramayana, and Mahatma Gandhi, a pivotal political and spiritual leader known for his nonviolent independence movement.

Nepal – Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal

Nepal is a landlocked country bordered by India and China.
Kathmandu is the cultural, political, and largest city of Nepal.
Hinduism considers cows sacred, therefore consuming beef is forbidden.
Nepalese culture emphasizes eating with the right hand, and utensils are rarely used.
Nepal is known as the home of the highest mountains in the world:
- Mt. Everest
- Lhotse
- Annapurna
- Cho Oyu
- Manasla
- Makalu
Nepalese people typically eat:
- Bhat (boiled rice)
- Tarkari (curried vegetables)
- Mosmos (dumplings)

Bhutan – The Kingdom of Bhutan (Dzongkha)

Bhutan is known as "Land of the Thunder Dragon" and is a landlocked country bordered by India and China.
Bhutanese people are referred to as Drukpa.
Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan.
Punakha was the previous ancient capital.

Bangladesh – People’s Republic of Bangladesh

Bangladesh is bordered by India to the west and north, and Myanmar to the east.
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh

Sri Lanka – Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka was formerly known as Ceylon.
Colombo is the capital of Sri Lanka.

Pakistan – Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, translates to "City of Islam".
Karachi is the main seaport and largest city of Pakistan.

Afghanistan – Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Afghanistan is bordered by Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Iran.
Kabul is the capital of Afghanistan.

West Asia or Western Asia

West Asia is home to many of the world's major religions: Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.

Jordan – Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Jordan is named after the Jordan River.
This Arab Muslim nation is famous for historical religious sites like Petra, also known as "Rose City", the country's landmark.
Jordan is mentioned in the biblical Old Testament and is a popular destination for holy land pilgrimages.
Sand bottles are considered crafts originating in Jordan.
Jordan is known for its hospitable culture, often expressed through serving food to guests.
Common ingredients in Jordanian food include cheese, grains, yogurt, fruits, and vegetables.
Lamb is the primary ingredient in their traditional dish, Mansaf.
Amman is the capital of Jordan.

Israel – State of Israel

Jerusalem is often referred to as "The Holy Land" due to its significant religious heritage sites.
The Holy Land attracts pilgrims from across the world.
Jerusalem, the capital and center of the Holy Land, is the site where Jesus was crucified and resurrected.
Pilgrims visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, believed to be the site of Jesus' crucifixion, and walk down the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrows).
Kashrut is a Jewish dietary regulation followed by Jewish people.
"Kosher", a Hebrew word meaning "fit or proper", refers to foods permitted according to Jewish dietary law.
Kosher foods are categorized into:
- Meat (including by-products), which must meet specific requirements.
- Dairy, including foods containing milk or dairy traces.

Central Asia

Central Asia is divided into two subregions:
- High Mountains: Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan
- Flat Plains: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan
These "Stans" (meaning "place of" or "country") were former members of the Soviet Socialist Republic.

Kazakhstan – Republic of Kazakhstan

Nursultan (formerly Astana) is the capital of Kazakhstan.
Almaty is the largest city.
Kazakh cuisine includes:
- Beshbarmark (the national dish)
- Meat (a staple ingredient)
- Tea
Tea is an essential part of every Kazakh meal.

Tajikistan – Republic of Tajikistan (formerly known as Tajik)

Tajikistan was formerly known as Tajik.
Tajikistan is a landlocked and mountainous country in Central Asia.
The country's literal meaning is "Land of the Tajiks", where "stan" signifies "a place" or "country".
Tajikistan is home to the Pamir Mountain range, known as "The Roof of the World".
Tajik cuisine includes:
- Plov or Osh (lamb with root vegetables)
- Shish Kebab (kabob - grilled cubed meat)
- Qurutob (vegetable dish served with flatbread)
- Green Tea (Tajik's favorite beverage)
Dushanbe is the capital of Tajikistan.

Kyrgyzstan – Kyrgyz Republic

Kyrgyz communities have historically practiced nomadic lifestyles.
Yurts are traditional dwellings of Turkic nomads.
The country hosted the first World Nomad Games, an event bringing together nomadic communities from around the world.
Kyrgyz cuisine heavily features meat and dairy.
Kymyz or Koumis, a fermented dairy drink from mares, is considered a magic beverage due to its medical benefits and is used to cure gastritis, tuberculosis, and anemia.
Bishkek is the capital of Kyrgyzstan.

Turkmenistan – Republic of Turkmenistan (formerly known as Turkmenia)

Turkmenistan was formerly known as Turkmenia.
Turkmenistan is known for its mineral and mud sources, which attract visitors seeking their medicinal benefits.
Ashgabat is the capital of Turkmenistan.

Uzbekistan – Republic of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is home to Hazrati-Imam Square in Tashkent, located in the city's historic district.
The square features mosques, mausoleums, and an Islamic institute.
Uzbek cuisine includes:
- Palov (a traditional dish prepared and shared by communities)
Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan.

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Explore the fascinating geography of East Asia, including key facts about China, Taiwan, and Japan. This quiz covers important landmarks, rivers, and cultural significance of the region. Test your knowledge about the largest countries, islands, and mountains in East Asia.