Physical Features
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Chapter 25, Section 1 (Pages 688–693) Physical Features Physical processes shape Earth’s surface. As you read, provide an example, a location, and a key fact about each type of landform in the chart below. Landform Example Location Key Fact Mountain Plateau Plain Archipelago The Land (pages 689–690) Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Landforms of East Asia East Asia takes up much of the Asian continent south of Make a sketch to Russia. Most of the landmass is made up of China and Mongolia. show the location North Korea, South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan are East Asian of the Plateau of countries located on peninsulas or islands. Tibet in relation to The Himalaya and Kunlun Shan tower over the western part the Himalaya and of this region. Between these mountains stands the Plateau of Kunlun Shan. Tibet. Averaging 15,000 feet in height, the plateau is called the Roof of the World. The eastern part of this region has lowlands—the North China Plain and the Manchurian Plain. Narrow lowlands also sweep along the coasts of the Korean Peninsula and Japan. These fertile areas are home to most of the people of East Asia. Mountainous islands curve along the coast of China and the Korean Peninsula. Japan forms an archipelago, or chain of islands, in the Pacific Ocean. Taiwan is located off China’s southeastern coast. Formed by volcanoes, these islands are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. They experience many earthquakes and volcanic eruptions because they sit where tectonic plates meet and move. 172 Chapter 25, Section 1 The Land (continued) Landforms of Southeast Asia South of China, Southeast Asia is made up of mainland What are the major peninsulas and thousands of islands. The mainland countries landforms of are Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Southeast Asia? Countries that are partly or entirely islands include Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, East Timor, Brunei, and the Philippines. Mainland Southeast Asia is crossed by cordilleras, or moun- tain ranges that run side-by-side. Between the ranges lie fertile river plains and deltas, where most of the people live. Like East Asia, the islands of Southeast Asia are part of the Ring of Fire and experience earthquakes and active volcanoes. In 2004 an earth- quake in the Indian Ocean caused a tsunami that swept over Southeast Asia’s coastal lowlands. More than 300,00 people died. Seas and Rivers (pages 690–691) The countries here have long coastlines along the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, and many seas. These waterways Identify two rivers influenced the region’s history. For example, as an isolated in East Asia and island nation, Japan developed a unique culture. four rivers in Nearness to water affects the region’s economies as well. Southeast Asia. Oceans and seas serve as trade routes. Much of the world’s shipping traffic travels on the South China Sea and the Strait 1. of Malacca. The people here also depend on the sea for food. 2. Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and China have the world’s biggest 3. deep-sea fishing industries. East Asia’s major rivers begin in Tibet. The Huang He 4. (Yellow River) flows across northern China. The river carries 5. tons of fine, yellow-brown soil called loess. This rich soil and river water make the North China Plain ideal for growing wheat. 6. China’s other great river is the Chang Jiang (Yangtze River). It flows through spectacular gorges, or canyons, and broad plains before reaching the port city of Shanghai. Half of China’s rice and grain farmers depend on this river. The Chang Jiang is also Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, a vital trade route for ships, which can travel far upriver. Southeast Asia’s major rivers include the Irrawaddy and Salween in Myanmar, and the Chao Phraya in Thailand. The Mekong River flows 2,600 miles through five countries on its way to the South China Sea. Warm temperatures, heavy rains, and fertile soil make the Mekong region ideal for growing rice. The river valleys are densely populated. Chapter 25, Section 1 173 A Wealth of Natural Resources (pages 692–693) East Asia and Southeast Asia are rich in natural resources. These resources have helped to develop the region’s economies. List this region’s China has large oil deposits in the South China Sea, as well energy, mineral, as rich coal deposits. Other oil-rich countries include Indonesia, and forest resources. Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Some countries generate hydro- electric power from their swift-flowing rivers. The world’s largest dam—Three Gorges Dam—is being built on China’s Chang Jiang to provide hydroelectric power as well as to prevent flooding. Among the minerals found here are tin, iron ore, chromium, manganese, nickel, and tungsten. Tungsten is used to make light- bulbs and rockets. Gems and pearls also are plentiful in the region. Forests provide valuable woods. Teak is harvested in Myanmar, Indonesia, and Thailand. Teak is a type of wood that is used to make buildings and ships because it is strong and durable. Mahogany from the Philippines is used for wall paneling and high-quality furniture. Answer these questions to check your understanding of the entire Wrap-Up section. 1. Identifying In what geographic areas do most of the people of East Asia and Southeast Asia live? Why? Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, 2. Analyzing How have the economies of East Asia and Southeast Asia been affected by waterways? D script v On a separate sheet of paper, write a paragraph describing the e i e relative location of the countries of East Asia and Southeast Asia. 174 Chapter 25, Section 1.