Rivers of Southern and Eastern Asia

The longest river in China, flowing from western China near the Taklimakan Desert eastward towards Shanghai and emptying into the East China Sea. It is essential to China, providing water, irrigation, sanitation, and transportation. Despite its importance, it has become polluted by agricultural runoff and industrial waste.

A large body of salt water covering over 6,200 miles, located between Africa, Australia, India, and Antarctica.

A sea separating Japan from mainland Asia. Due to this barrier, Japanese culture developed independently from the rest of East Asia. It is home to rich fisheries, leading to disputes between surrounding countries.

A sea between China, Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia. One-third of global sea traffic passes through this sea, and it is believed to hold significant oil and natural gas reserves.

A river in northern China, the second longest river in Asia. It flows from western China eastward to the Yellow Sea, known for its distinctive yellow color due to the loess it carries. The river is nicknamed 'China's Sorrow' due to its frequent and devastating floods.

A sacred river to Hindus, flowing 1,600 miles from the Himalayan Mountains through India and Bangladesh before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. It provides water for many Indian cities and is essential to agriculture.

The largest bay in the world, located off the Indian Ocean, touching India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. It is a receiving basin for many rivers, including the Ganges, but also faces pollution issues.

The second longest river in Asia, the Huang He (Yellow River) is known for its distinctive yellow color caused by the large amount of sediment it carries. The river's nickname 'China’s Sorrow' reflects its history of frequent devastating floods.

The Yellow Sea is a body of water that separates China from South Korea.

The Yellow Sea gets its yellow color from sediment carried by the Yellow River and sandstorms from the Gobi Desert.

The Gobi Desert is a large desert in northern China and Mongolia, known for its sparse population and harsh climate.

The Taklimakan Desert is a desert in northwestern China, known for a sparse population and harsh climate.

The Himalayan Mountains are the tallest mountain range in the world, home to Mount Everest, and act as a natural border between China and India.

The Korean Peninsula is a peninsula in East Asia, divided into North Korea and South Korea at the 38th parallel.

China is a large country in East Asia bordered by 14 countries, with an extensive coastline along the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea.

India is a large country on the Indian subcontinent, bordering several nations and having a long coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.

Japan is a country spread across an island chain, located east of the Korean Peninsula. It has no land borders and is nestled between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan.

North Korea is the northern half of the Korean Peninsula, bordered by China, South Korea, and has a long coastline along the Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan.

South Korea is the southern half of the Korean Peninsula, bordered only by North Korea and has a long coastline along the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea.

Vietnam is a country in Southeast Asia, with a long coastline along the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin, and South China Sea. It shares land borders with Cambodia, China, and Laos.

The Chang Jiang River is a major river in China, severely polluted due to industrial, agricultural, and sewage waste dumped into it.

The Ganges River in India is heavily polluted due to domestic and religious practices leading to waterborne illnesses.

Air pollution in China is caused by burning coal for power generation and increasing car emissions, leading to respiratory diseases and acid rain.

A system where the people elect the legislature, which then selects the head of government.

A system where the people directly elect both the head of government and the legislature.

A form of government where a single party holds all power and the people have limited or no say in governance.

A system where the ruling power rests with one person (a dictator) and the people have no meaningful influence on governance.

The belief that all citizens should have a say in their government through voting and other forms of political participation.

The process by which individuals are reborn into a new life based on their actions in their previous life.

The ethical duty and role one plays in life, according to Hinduism.

The concept of good and bad actions that determine one's fate in future lives, according to Hinduism.

The eight steps towards enlightenment and liberation from suffering, according to Buddhism.

The belief in the existence of spirits or deities associated with nature, particularly common in Japanese culture.

The process by which a soul is continuously reborn into different forms of life, driven by karma and actions in previous lives.

The ultimate goal in Hinduism, where the soul escapes the suffering of the material world and the unending cycle of birth and death.

The accumulation of good deeds and actions that lead to positive consequences in this life and beyond.

The action of building dams along rivers to control flooding and generate electricity, but which can have negative impacts on the environment.

A brown cloud of air pollution visible from space, primarily caused by the burning of fossil fuels and agricultural waste.

The major river that flows through China, notable for its yellow sediment that makes the surrounding land very fertile.

The longest river in China, serving as a trading route and a source of fertile land.

The sacred river of India, crucial for drinking water, religious rituals, and agricultural irrigation.

The seasonal weather pattern in South Asia characterized by heavy rainfall, which often leads to widespread flooding.

A mountain range in South Asia, home to Mount Everest and the highest peaks in the world.

A vast desert region in Central Asia, characterized by limited water resources and sparse vegetation.

A region characterized by its unique culture, language, and historical background passed down through generations.

A group of people who share a common set of beliefs, often centered around a particular deity, sacred texts, and ethical principles.

The combination of different Indian cultures and traditions that led to the development of Hinduism.

The idea that fulfilling one's Dharma brings order and balance; rejecting it leads to chaos.

A system of inherited social classes present in ancient India, where individuals were born into a specific caste with fixed roles and restrictions.

The highest caste in the system, comprising priests, scholars, and religious leaders.

The second highest caste, including warriors, rulers, and administrators.

The third caste, comprised of merchants, traders, and farmers.

The lowest caste, including laborers, artisans, and servants.

The founder of Buddhism, who attained enlightenment and became known as Buddha.

The suffering inherent in human existence, arising from desires and attachments to impermanent things.

The foundation of Buddhist teachings, outlining the nature of suffering, its cause, its cessation, and the path to liberation.

A system of ethical and philosophical teachings by Confucius, emphasizing social harmony, good governance, and moral conduct.

A person who embodies Confucian values, embodying virtue, righteousness, and social responsibility.