Lesson 19 Geography of Ancient China

The Northeastern Plain

It has low hills and and plains. short warm summers, dry and cold in winter. The plain is too cold and dry to be suitable for growing crops. Two major rivers in the area mainly used for transportation.

Climate

the average weather conditions at a particular place

River Valley Civilizations

the earliest civilizations that developed around rivers for the fresh water supply and the fertile land ex-: Tigris-Euphrates (Mesopotamia), Nile (Egypt), Indus (India), Huang He or Yellow River, and the Chang Jiang River (China)

North China Plain

A region in the Huang He River valley, where Chinese civilization began.

Outer China

Includes the western and northern parts of present day China (includes the Tibet-Qinghai Plateau, Northwestern Deserts, and the Northeastern Plain).

Tibet-Qinghai Plateau

Located in Outer China. A challenging place to live. It was too cold and dry to grow crops, but the grasses did provide food for yaks and other livestock. The cold, rocky plateau and the high mountains made travel to Inner China very difficult through this area. Also known as the roof of the wold.

Chang Jiang Basins

Region along the "Long River"; mild, wet climate; fertile land good for growing rice. The river is used to transport goods between eastern and western areas of the region. Located in inner China.

The Northwestern Deserts

Region that includes Taklimakan and Gobi Deserts. Climate varies from sizzling hot in the summer to below freezing in the winter. The area is dry with little vegetation.

Isolated

Separated from others

Inner China

Southeastern part of China, rolling hills, river valleys, plains, floods from rivers enrich soil, contains the North China Plain and Chang Jiang Basins. Physical features protected from invasion in the northwest. Supported larger settlements, farmlands, resources and population

Chang Jiang River

The longest river in Asia, flowing through eastern China. People used it to move goods between eastern and western areas. It flowed through 3 plains.

Huange He (Yellow River)

The river carries silt that helps fertilize the surrounding lands, making the North China Plain a good place in which to settle and grow crops. Also know to flood and cause damage.

Physical Features

any natural characteristic of Earth's surface, such as landforms and bodies of water