China’s Land and Economy

Chapter 6 Section 1Page 162

China’ s Land and Climate

• World’s largest plateau, commonly called “Roof of the World” – Plateau of Tibet

Taklimakan Desert

• Isolated region with very high temperatures• Sandstorms last for days

Gobi Desert

• Total area is 500,000 sq miles (twice size of TX)

Yangtze River• Longest river in Asia

• Used as a source of:• Water• Irrigation• Transportation

Yellow River• 3rd Longest river in Asia

• Known as the “Cradle of Chinense Civlization”

• Constant Flooding changes course over time.

Xi River• The entire river is navigable

• Major river for:• Transportation• Tourism• Trade

Three Gorges Dam• The largest hydroelectric power station in the

world.

The dam controls flooding, enhances navigation, and provides a vast amount of clean electricity. However, it has also flooded archaeological and cultural sites, displaced some 1.24 million people, and is causing dramatic ecological changes. The decision to build the dam has been deeply controversial.

Ring of Fire

• Area around the Pacific Ocean

• Very active seismic activity

• 90% of the world’s earthquakes occur here

• Over half of the world’s volcanic activity

A New Economy

• Communist state – Government has strong control over the economy and society as a whole.

• Government officials decide what crops are grown, what products are made, and what prices are charged.

Free enterprise system

• Government allow individuals to choose what jobs they want and where to start their own businesses. Workers can keep the profits they make. Farmers can grow and sell what they wish.

Consumer Goods

One country – Two systems

• China’s policy of blending capitalism and some Western freedom with Chinese communism.