the geography of ChinaPPT
China, officially People’s Republic of China, is the largest of all Asian cou...
China, officially People’s Republic of China, is the largest of all Asian countries and has the largest population of any country in the world. Mainland China is located in and dominates the heart of East Asia. It has the world’s longest combined land border (22,000 kilometers) with 14 other countries. It spans all the way from the Taklamahan Desert （the biggest desert of China） to the coast of Fujian. Occupying nearly the entire East Asian landmass, it covers approximately one-fourteenth of the land area of Earth. Among the major countries of the world, China is surpassed in area by only Russia and Canada, and it is almost as large as the whole of Europe.China has 33 administrative units directly under the central government; these consist of 22 provinces, 5 autonomous regions(Guangxi, Tibet, Xinjiang, Ningixa and Inner Mongolia), 4 municipalities (Chongqing, Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin), and 2 special administrative regions (Hong Kong 1997 and Macau1999“one country, two systems” policy). The island province of Taiwan, which has been under separate administration since 1949, is discussed in the article Taiwan. Beijing (Peking), the capital of the People’s Republic, is also the cultural, economic, and communications centre of the country. Shanghai is the main industrial city; Hong Kong is the leading commercial centre and port.Land--China stretches for about 3,250 miles (5,250 km) from east to west and 3,400 miles (5,500 km) from north to south. Its land frontier is about 12,400 miles (20,000 km) in length, and its coastline extends for some 8,700 miles (14,000 km). The country is bounded by Mongolia to the north; Russia and North Korea to the northeast; the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea to the east; the South China Sea to the southeast; Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), India, Bhutan, and Nepal to the south; Pakistan to the southwest; and Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan to the west. In addition to the 14 countries that border directly on it, China also faces South Korea and Japan, across the Yellow Sea, and the Philippines, which lie beyond the South China Sea.Within China’s boundaries exists a highly diverse and complex country. Its topography encompasses the highest and one of the lowest places on Earth, and its relief varies from nearly impenetrable mountainous terrain to vast coastal lowlands. Its climate ranges from extremely dry, desertlike conditions in the northwest to tropical monsoon in the southeast, and China has the greatest contrast in temperature between its northern and southern borders of any country in the world.The diversity of both China’s relief and its climate has resulted in one of the world’s widest arrays of ecological niches, and these niches have been filled by a vast number of plant and animal species. Indeed, practically all types of Northern Hemisphere plants, except those of the polar tundra, are found in China, and, despite the continuous inroads of humans over the millennia, China still is home to some of the world’s most exotic animals.Relief of China-- Broadly speaking, the relief of China is high in the west and low in the east; consequently, the direction of flow of the major rivers is generally eastward. The surface may be divided into three steps, or levels. The first level is represented by the Plateau of Tibet, which is located in both the Tibet Autonomous Region and the province of Qinghai and which, with an average elevation of well over 13,000 feet (4,000 metres) above sea level, is the loftiest highland area in the world. The western part of this region, the Qiangtang, has an average height of 16,500 feet (5,000 metres) and is known as the “roof of the world.”The second step lies to the north of the Kunlun and Qilian mountains and (farther south) to the east of the Qionglai and Daliang ranges. There the mountains descend sharply to heights of between 6,000 and 3,000 feet (1,800 and 900 metres), after which basins intermingle with plateaus. This step includes the Mongolian Plateau, the Tarim Basin, the Loess Plateau (loess is a yellow-gray dust deposited by the wind), the Sichuan Basin, and the Yunnan-Guizhou (Yungui) Plateau.The third step extends from the east of the Dalou, Taihang, and Wu mountain ranges and from the eastern perimeter of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau to the China Sea. Almost all of this area is made up of hills and plains lying below 1,500 feet (450 metres).The most remarkable feature of China’s relief is the vast extent of its mountain chains; the mountains, indeed, have exerted a tremendous influence on the country’s political, economic, and cultural development. By rough estimate, about one-third of the total area of China consists of mountains. China has the world’s tallest mountain and the world’s highest and largest plateau, in addition to possessing extensive coastal plains. The five major landforms—mountain, plateau, hill, plain, and basin—are all well represented. China’s complex natural environment and rich natural resources are closely connected with the varied nature of its relief.The topography of China is marked by many splendours. Mount Everest (Qomolangma Feng), situated on the border between China and Nepal, is the highest peak in the world, at an elevation of 29,035 feet (8,850 metres; see Researcher’s Note: Height of Mount Everest). By contrast, the lowest part of the Turfan Depression in the Uygur Autonomous Region of Xinjiang—Lake Ayding—is 508 feet (155 metres) below sea level. The coast of China contrasts greatly between South and North. To the south of the bay of Hangzhou, the coast is rocky and indented with many harbours and offshore islands. To the north, except along the Shandong and Liaodong peninsulas, the coast is sandy and flat.The Geography of ChinaIntroductionChina is a vast country located in East Asia, with an area of approximately 9.6 million square kilometers. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of over 1.4 billion people. The geography of China is diverse and varies greatly from region to region. In this article, we will explore the different geographical features of China, including its mountains, rivers, plains, and coastline.MountainsChina is renowned for its majestic mountain ranges. The most famous of these is the Himalayas, which stretches across the western part of the country. Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world, is located in the Himalayas on the border between China and Nepal. Other prominent mountain ranges in China include the Kunlun Mountains, Tian Shan Mountains, and the Hengduan Mountains. These mountains not only provide stunning landscapes but also play an important role in the shaping of China's climate and protecting its biodiversity.RiversChina is home to several major rivers, including the Yangtze River, Yellow River, and Pearl River. The Yangtze River is the longest river in Asia and the third-longest river in the world. It flows through the central part of China, from the Tibetan Plateau to the East China Sea. The Yellow River, also known as the "Mother River of China," has been an essential water source for Chinese civilization for thousands of years. It flows through the North China Plain, where it has played a vital role in agriculture and irrigation. The Pearl River, located in southern China, is another significant river, supporting economic activities in the region.PlainsChina has vast plains that are the major agricultural areas of the country. The North China Plain, located between the Yellow River and the Yangtze River, is one of the most densely populated regions in China. It is known for its fertile soil and productive farmland. The Sichuan Basin, in southwest China, is another important plain where agriculture thrives. These plains contribute significantly to China's food production and play a crucial role in sustaining its population.CoastlineChina has a long coastline stretching over 18,000 kilometers. It borders the East China Sea, South China Sea, and the Yellow Sea. The coastline is dotted with various natural harbors and ports, enabling maritime trade and economic development. Some of the major coastal cities include Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Qingdao. These cities have become major economic centers, attracting investments and facilitating international trade.ConclusionThe geography of China is incredibly diverse and plays a vital role in shaping the country's culture, climate, and economy. With its towering mountains, mighty rivers, fertile plains, and expansive coastline, China offers a wide range of natural landscapes and resources. Understanding the geography of China is crucial for comprehending its history, development, and future challenges. As a country with such vast territory and rich geographical features, China continues to captivate and inspire people from around the world.
