LOCATION
NORTHEASTERN PLAIN
HUANG HE RIVER AND
THE NORTH CHINA PLAIN
CHANG JIANG RIVER
AND ITS BASINS
TEMPERATE FORESTS
TIBETAN PLATEAU
HIMALAYAN MOUNTAINS
NORTHWESTERN DESERTS
China is a large country in east Asia divided into two regions. Outer China contains the Himalayas, the Tibetan Plateau, the Northwestern deserts, and the Northeastern Plain. Inner China has two main rivers: Huang He in thenorth through the North China Plain and Chang Jiang in the south, through the Chang Jiang Basins.
The Northeast Plain, called the Songliao Plain or the Manchurian Plain is located in Northeast China, also called Manchuria.It has rich, fertile soil that is filled with huge fields of wheat, corn, soybeans, rice, sugar beets, sunflowers, sorghum, and flax. It is also rich in natural resources such as iron ore, coal, and oil.
The Huang He (Yellow) River in the North China Plain provides fresh water, food, and transportation. Called the "cradle of Chinese civilization", the Huang He is 3,395 miles long making itthe second largest river in China and one of the longest river systems in the world.
The Chang Jiang or Yangtze Riveris longer than the Huang He. It is the longest river in Asia and the third-longest in the world at 6,300 km long. Its name means "Long River." The Chang Jiang Basins that surround the river are warm, wet, and good for growing rice. The Yangtze also has many tributaries which made it useful for travel and transporting goods.
The temperate forests in southwest China through the provinces of Sichuan, Gansu, and Shaanxi are home to the Giant Panda, one of the most beloved animals and a symbol of China.The Minshan Mountains in Sichuan Province have rich vegetation, lagoons, and waterfalls. There are 27 panda reserves with nearly half of the world’s population of pandas.
The Tibetan Plateau or Qinghai–Tibet Plateau is the world's largest and highest plateau at 2,500,000 sq. km large and3,000 m. high. It is north of the Himalayas, surrounded by mountains, and nicknamed the "roof of the world”. It’s mainly harsh tundra with a dry, cold climate and1,500 lakes. Nomadic herders raise yaks which provide meat, milk, and wool.About 4.5 million people live here, mostlyethnic Tibetan, ethnic Han Chinese,and Mongols.
The Himalayan Mountains border China to the southwest. The name is from IndianSanskrit: hima (“snow”) and alaya (“abode”). The Himalayas are 1,550 miles longwith an area of about 230,000 sq. miles. Theyseparate the plains of India from the Tibetan Plateau in China. The Himalayas have the highest mountains in theworld including Mount Everest, which is29,032 ft. high,and over 100 mountains taller than24,000ft.
China has vast deserts in its northwestern region including the Taklamakan Desert, nicknamed the "Sea of Death", which is the world’s second largest sand desert. There are alsothe Turfan Depression and the Gobi Desert. The dry climates, extreme temperatures, and sandstorms make them dangerous to cross.
GEOGRAPHY OFCHINA
CHINA
Outer
China
Inner
China
Beijing (capitol)