Geography of Ancient Geography of Ancient ChinaChina

China’s harsh deserts…China’s harsh deserts…

GOBI DESERT to the eastGOBI DESERT to the east Not as dry as Taklamakan desertNot as dry as Taklamakan desert Natural barrier from the Mongols to the Natural barrier from the Mongols to the

northnorth

TAKLAMAKAN DESERT to the westTAKLAMAKAN DESERT to the west ““Sea of Death”Sea of Death” 22ndnd largest in the world largest in the world Poisonous snakes, sandstorms, boiling days, Poisonous snakes, sandstorms, boiling days,

freezing nightsfreezing nights Natural barrier from MongolsNatural barrier from Mongols

Bodies of WaterBodies of Water

Many rivers flow through China, Many rivers flow through China, most running west to eastmost running west to east

The 3 major rivers are:The 3 major rivers are:

1.1. CHANG RIVER (YANGTZE)CHANG RIVER (YANGTZE)

2.2. HUANG RIVER (YELLOW)HUANG RIVER (YELLOW)3.3. XI (pronounced SHEEXI (pronounced SHEE))

HUANG RIVER (yellow)HUANG RIVER (yellow) Fertile soil called LOESSFertile soil called LOESS Known as “China’s Sorrow” for the Known as “China’s Sorrow” for the

devastating floodsdevastating floods Ancient Chinese built DIKES (wall) Ancient Chinese built DIKES (wall) These walls cause the river level to rise and These walls cause the river level to rise and

flood the fields ruining cropsflood the fields ruining crops

CHANG RIVER CHANG RIVER Over 3,000 miles longOver 3,000 miles long Central ChinaCentral China Important commercial waterway for trade Important commercial waterway for trade

within Chinawithin China

XI RIVERXI RIVER Southern ChinaSouthern China Important commercial waterway within Important commercial waterway within

ChinaChina

Clothing Recommendations based Clothing Recommendations based upon China’s climateupon China’s climate

CLIMATECLIMATE

Temperatures are more extreme in NORTH, Temperatures are more extreme in NORTH, causing more rainfallcausing more rainfall

AGRICULTURAL MAPAGRICULTURAL MAP Climate in the south is better for agriculture Climate in the south is better for agriculture

More isolation…China’s MountainsMore isolation…China’s Mountains

KUNLUN MOUTAINSKUNLUN MOUTAINS Runs eastward along Tibetan plateauRuns eastward along Tibetan plateau Stretch along southern edge of Taklimakan Stretch along southern edge of Taklimakan

and Gobi desertsand Gobi deserts

HIMALAYA MOUNTAINSHIMALAYA MOUNTAINS Natural barrier from INDIANatural barrier from INDIA

TIEN SHAN MOUTAINSTIEN SHAN MOUTAINS To the north of the desertsTo the north of the deserts