Geography and Early Settlement of Ancient China

Question 0

Define alluvial.

Answer 0

Alluvial - an adjective that describes land formed from deposits of sand, mud, etc. from flowing water

Question 1

What is rammed earth?

Answer 1

Rammed earth is soil tightly packed to form solid walls.

Question 2

Define alluvium.

Answer 2

Alluvium - the sedimentary matter deposited in valleys of large rivers

Question 3

Where is China located? Describe its geography.

Answer 3

China is located in Eastern Asia. China’s geography is also very diverse.

Question 4

What are some physical features that are included in China’s geography?

Answer 4

The world’s largest mountains, deserts, and rivers are all included in China’s geography.

Question 5

Besides its geography, what else is diverse about China?

Answer 5

China’s climate is very diverse as well as its geography.

Question 6

What are some examples of China’s diverse climate (name at least 3 weather conditions)?

Answer 6

Some examples China’s diverse weather conditions are ice storms, sandstorms, and rain/flooding.

Question 7

China is the _____largest country after Russia (1st) and Canada (2nd).

Answer 7

Possible Answers:

• 3rd
• third

Question 8

What is China’s land area (in square miles)?

Answer 8

China’s land area is 3.7 million square miles.

Question 9

How many people live in China?

Answer 9

1.2 billion people live in China (more than any other country, meaning that China is the most populous country in the world).

Question 10

China is divided into 2 areas. What are their names?

Answer 10

The two areas of China are called Inner China and Outer China.

Question 11

What regions are included in Outer China?

Answer 11

The Western and Northern regions are included in Outer China.

Question 12

Define the following: Region.

Answer 12

Region - a part or section of a country

Question 13

What are some key features of Outer China in the west?

Answer 13

Some key features of Outer China in the west are the Himalaya Mountains (tallest mountain range in the world; with Mt. Everest), the Tibet-Qinghai Plateau (the world’s largest plateau; bitterly cold- only ~50 days without frost each year).

Question 14

What are some key features of Outer China to the north and northwest?

Answer 14

Some features of Outer China to the north and the northwest are the Taklimakan Desert, the Turfan Depression, and the Gobi Desert.

Question 15

In relation to the whole country of China, where is Inner China? What is its geography and elevation like?

Answer 15

In relation to the whole country of China, Inner China is in the southeastern region. This region has a lower elevation with rolling hills, river valleys, and plains (for geography).

Question 16

What are the 2 major regions of Inner China?

Answer 16

The 2 major regions of Inner China are the Northern region, containing the North China Plain, and the Southern region, including the Chang-Jiang Basins (river drainage basins).

Question 17

What is the average elevation of the Tibet-Qinghai Plateau?

Answer 17

The average elevation of the Tibet-Qinghai Plateau is of 13,500 (nearly 2 miles above sea level).

Question 18

Describe the Tibet-Qinghai Plateau’s climate.

Answer 18

The Tibet-Qinghai Plateau has a cold, dry climate.

Question 19

Describe the Tibet-Qinghai Plateau’s geography.

Answer 19

The land of the Tibet-Qinghai Plateau is rocky and surrounded by mountains.

Question 20

What are 2 major rivers that begin in the Tibet-Qinghai Plateau?

Answer 20

2 major rivers that begin in the Tibet-Qinghai Plateau are the Huang He (Yellow River) and the Chang Jiang (Yangtze River).

Question 21

Describe the vegetation in the Tibet-Qinghai Plateau.

Answer 21

The vegetation in the Tibet-Qinghai Plateau is sparse/scattered and is mainly composed of shrubs.

Question 22

Describe the Northwestern Deserts (the Taklimakan and Gobi Deserts).

Answer 22

These deserts are harsh place to live and extremely difficult to cross. They have climates of sizzling hot summers and below freezing winters.

Question 23

Define the following: Oasis (Plural: Oases)

Answer 23

Oasis - a place, usually in a desert, where water can be found

Question 24

Describe the Taklimakan Desert (physical features, climate, vegetation, etc.)

Answer 24

The Taklimakan Desert covers an area of about 105,000 square miles. It is one of the most dangerous deserts in the world, and its name means “once you go in, you will not come out.” It is dangerous because its enormous sand dunes can bury humans alive. It is said that an army of soldiers was buried beneath the dunes centuries ago.

Question 25

Describe the Gobi Desert (physical features, climate, vegetation, etc.).

Answer 25

The Gobi Desert stretches nearly 500,000 square miles. It has very few sand dunes. However, it has lots of stones and sand.

Question 26

Describe the Northeastern Plains.

Answer 26

The Northeastern Plains consist of low hills and plains that are east of present-day Mongolia. The plains have a cold , dry climate with average rainfall of about 20 inches/year. In general, the Northeastern Plains are too cold and dry for growing crops.

Question 27

What are the 2 major rivers in the Northeastern Plains?

Answer 27

The two major rivers in the Northeastern Plains are the Liao River and the Sungari River. When the waters freeze, people use the rivers as roads.

Question 28

Describe the North China Plain.

Answer 28

The North China Plain is a region in the Huang He River valley, where Chinese civilization began. The plain has grassy, fertile land.

Question 29

What is another name for the North China Plain? Why is it called by this name?

Answer 29

Another name for the North China Plain is the “Land of Yellow Earth.” It is called this because its ground is covered in yellow limestone silt, carried in from the Gobi Desert by strong winds. The Huang He (Yellow River) is also full is this silt, giving it its yellow color and its name.

Question 30

The Huang He is the _____longest river in the world (3,395 miles).

Answer 30

Possible Answers:

• 4th
• fourth

Question 31

Describe the Huang He (Yellow River).

Answer 31

The Huang He is very muddy and is sometimes called the “Cradle” of Chinese civilization. It has caused many casualties due to its frequent flooding.

Question 32

Describe the Chang Jiang Basins.

Answer 32

The Chang Jiang Basins are low, wet coastal plains, and a mild, wet climate. The Basins are located along the Chang Jiang (Yangtze River). The Basins have very fertile land, which is great for growing crops, especially rice.

Question 33

Describe the Chang Jiang (Yangtze River).

Answer 33

The Chang Jiang River is the 3rd longest river in the world. Its name means “long river.” This river has hundreds of tributaries.

Question 34

Define the following: Tributary

Answer 34

Tributary - a stream or river that feeds into a larger, stream, river, or lake

Question 35

When did the first inhabitants of China live there? What were they called? Where did they live?

Answer 35

The first inhabitants of China lived in caves over 500,000 years ago. They were known as the Peking man and Beijing man.

Question 36

Where did the ancient people settle once they began to farm? Why did they choose this place to settle in?

Answer 36

The ancient people of China settled in the North China Plain once they began to farm because the Huang He (Yellow River), laden with fertile, yellow silt. Also, the North China Plain was a great place to settle because of the mild climate, fertile soil for growing crops, and access to water.

Question 37

What kept China isolated? Why?

Answer 37

China’s geography kept it isolated from the rest of the world because its high mountains, vast and very dangerous deserts, and plateaus made travel extremely difficult.

Question 38

Describe the different lifestyles in Outer and Inner China.

Answer 38

Life in Outer China:

• Fewer people settled in this region.
• The people of Outer China were nomadic herders, who raised sheep, yaks, goats, and cattle.
• Food could only be grown near oases but not in many other places.

Life in Inner China:

• The fertile land supported more people.
• Farmers grew rice, wheat, and millet.
• They raised a variety of livestock.
• Had more permanent homes to start society.