East Asia Culture Region
Focus of Study- Influence of Confucianism and
comparing the different political and economic
systems.
Do you know what countries are
in East Asia?
China
Government- Communism
GDP per capita- $10,011
Beliefs and Religion- Confucianism, Daoism (live simply
and in harmony with nature), Buddhism, Christianity
Population- 1,349,585,838 people
Confucianism
Confucianism is a PHILOSOPHY,
not a religion but has influenced
beliefs in certain religions.
“The legitimate ruler of a nation derives authority from heaven's command, or the mandate of
heaven, and is responsible for the peoples' well-being and for peace and order in the empire”
Confucianism was found in China. It is a philosophy that includes both social and ethical morals.
The foundation of its values come from the traditional Chinese society.
Confucianism was founded by Confucius (Master Kong) who was a philosopher.
How did Confucianism begin?
A Chinese philosopher named K'ung Fu-tzu or Confucius, the Westernized version, believed that
a society could become perfect, if the people who lived in it exhibited "beautiful conduct."
Confucius was born in 551 B.C.E. He had a government job which he gave up to devote his life
to teaching people how to behave. Today over five million people, mostly in China and the Far
East, practice Confucianism.
Confucianism
What did Confucius teach people?
Confucius taught people five basic ideas about behavior:
Always be considerate to others.
Respect your ancestors.
Try for harmony and balance in all things.
Avoid extremes in behavior and emotion.
If you live in peace and harmony, then you will be in contact with the spiritual forces of
the universe, including nature.
Confucius taught five basic virtues:
1) kindness
2) righteousness
3) sobriety
4) wisdom
5) trustworthiness
Confucius also taught that your well-being depends directly on the well-being of others.
This principle is called Jen. Jen stresses the importance of showing courtesy and loyalty
to other people.
PHILOSOPHY,
NOT religion!
Mongolia
Government- Parliamentary Republic
GDP per capita- $6,134
Beliefs and Religion- Buddhism
Population- 3,226,516 people
Nomads keep eagles as pets and use them to hunt.
The economy of Mongolia depends
upon mineral mining, livestock and
animal products, and textiles. Minerals
are a primary export, including copper,
tin, and gold.
Mongolia is a large landlocked country between two larger countries—Russia and China. Located on mountains
and plateaus, it is one of the world's highest countries, with an average elevation of 1,580 meters (5,180 feet).
Mongolia suffers temperature extremes, and southern Mongolia is dominated by the Gobi desert. Genghis
Khan's Mongol horsemen conquered much of Asia and Europe during the 13th century. Mongolia became a
communist country in 1924, but in 1990 multiparty elections were held. Poverty is a major concern, but copper,
cashmere, and gold exports help the economy.
Taiwan
Government- Democracy
GDP per capita- $40,393
Beliefs and Religion- Buddhism
Population- 23,299,716 people
What is the economy of Taiwan like?
Taiwan is the seventeenth largest economy in the world. Petroleum refining, textiles, iron and steel, machinery, cement,
food processing, vehicles, consumer products, and pharmaceuticals are some of the major industries. The island is rich in
natural resources like asbestos, marble, small deposits of coal, natural gas, and limestone.
It is a leader in the manufacturing of computers, chemicals, and electronic items. Agriculture contributes 1.7% to the GDP.
Rice, fruit, and vegetables are the main crops. Self-sufficient in rice production, Taiwan imports large amounts of wheat,
corn, and soybeans. Poultry and pork production are mainstays of the livestock sector. United States of America, Japan and
China are both the import- as well as export-partners of the island. With over US $180 billion, Taiwan is the third-largest
holder of foreign-exchange reserves.
www.mapsoftheworld.com
North Korea
Government- Communism
GDP per capita- $1,800
Beliefs and Religion- Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism,
Christianity
Population- 24,720,407 people
INTERESTING FACTS
1. The founder of North Korea, first president Kim Il Sung, created the country's policy of "self-reliance," which has essentially cut off North
Korea economically and diplomatically from the rest of the world even in times of great need such as famines.
2. Between 150,000 and 200,000 North Koreans live in prison camps surrounded by electrified fencing, according to South Korean government
estimates and Human Rights Watch. The worst camps are for those who commit political crimes, and offenders can have their entire extended
family imprisoned with them.
3. Only military and government officials can own motor vehicles.
4. All legal televisions are tuned to state-controlled domestic programming. Few Koreans know anything about the rest of the world.
5. North Korea's missile program was first developed with help from the then-Soviet Union in the 1970s.
6. The border between North Korea and South Korea is one of the most militarized in the world.
7. As many as 2 million people died as a result of famine in the 1990s caused by erratic government farming policies and flooding.
8. North Korea spent about one third of its national income on the military, according to a 2011 report from the South Korean government.
9. Electric power largely shuts down at night, and the homes that have electricity often receive only a few hours per day.
10. Schoolchildren provide their own desks and chairs, and money to pay for heat. Some students are forced to produce goods for the
government. Some parents keep their children home by bribing teachers to keep quiet.
11. Nearly all property belongs to the state. A modern independent judicial system does not exist. Religious freedom does not exist.
South Korea
Government- Democracy
GDP per capita- $33,500
Beliefs and Religion- Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism
Population- 48,955,203 people
The Republic of South Korea is a small country on the far eastern edge of
Asia. Although it ranks 109th in the world in terms of land area, the country is
a center of economic activity, culture, and arts. Korea was colonized by Japan
in the early 20th century and later had to endure the Korean War (1950-53),
but it has achieved amazing economic growth in a short period, dubbed "the
Miracle on the Han River."
Today, South Korea is an industrial nation standing tall on the world stage. Its
semiconductor, automobile, shipbuilding, steel making, and IT industries are
on the leading edge in global markets. It hosted the 1988 Seoul Olympics and
the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan. More recently, Korean dramas,
movies, and music are attracting many audiences in Asian countries and
beyond, creating what is being called the "Korean Wave."
Japan
Government- Constitutional Monarchy
GDP per capita- $37,525
Beliefs and Religion- Buddhism
Population- 127,253,075 people