East Asia’s increasing
participation in the global
community, and the
resulting diffusion of the
region’s cultures, continue
to have a profound effect
on the world. East Asia’s
growing and aging
populations bring
challenges for the future.
Section 1:
China
The characteristics and
distribution of human
populations affect
physical and human
systems. China’s
economy and culture are
undergoing changes as
people migrate from rural
areas to urban areas.
Section 2:
Japan
Culture influences
people’s perceptions of
places and regions.
Japan’s mix of Asian and
Western cultures has been
a contributing factor to the
country’s influence in the
world.
Section 3: North Korea
and South Korea
Geography is used to
interpret the past,
understand the present,
and plan for the future.
North Korea and South
Korea share similar
histories but are moving in
very different directions.
China
China’s economy and
culture are undergoing
changes as people migrate
from rural areas to urban
areas.
China
A. Tibet
B. Mongolia
C. Shanghai
D. Beijing
E. Tianjin
F. Guangzhou
Population Patterns
Cities and rural areas are changing as large
numbers of Chinese move to urban areas.
• The people:
– About 92% of China’s people belong to the line of
the Han family.
– The other 8% belong to about 55 different ethnic
groups.
Population Patterns (cont.)
– Tibetans
– Aborigines—2% of Taiwan’s inhabitants
– Mongolians
Population Patterns (cont.)
• Density and distribution:
– More than 90% of the people live on only onesixth of the land.
– Most live in the fertile valleys and plains of
China’s three great rivers.
Population Patterns (cont.)
• The increasing urbanization, along with
population growth, has led to overcrowding in
some Chinese cities.
Chinese Population by Age and Sex
History and Government
China has experienced powerful
transformations throughout its long history.
• Early dynasties and rulers:
– Shang dynasty—first historical records kept
– Zhou dynasty—Confucius and Laozi lived during
this time.
– Qin Shi Huang Di—built Great Wall
History and Government (cont.)
– Han and Tang dynasties
– Ming dynasty
– Qing dynasty
Chinese Empires, 200s B.C. – A.D. 900s
History and Government (cont.)
• Revolutions:
– 1927—Chiang Kai-shek formed the Nationalist
government of the Republic of China.
– 1949—the Communists won power and set up
the People’s Republic of China.
History and Government (cont.)
• A Tale of Two Chinas:
– Taiwan and China have intertwined economies
despite differences.
History and Government (cont.)
• A Free Mongolia:
– After the collapse of Soviet communism, the
Mongolians adopted a democratic constitution.
Culture
Chinese culture is a mix of modern and
traditional practices.
• Education—in the past, only the wealthiest Chinese
learned to read and write.
– Today, literacy is on the rise.
Culture (cont.)
• Health care—better health care has increased life
expectancy.
• Language—Mandarin dialect of the Han Chinese
language
• Religion—many atheists; some hold onto
Buddhism, Confucianism and Daoism
• The arts—poetry, opera, porcelain pottery
Japan
Japan’s mix of Asian and
Western cultures has been
a contributing factor to the
country’s influence in the
world.
Japan
A. Tōkaidō corridor
B. Tokyo
C. Nagasaki
D. Hiroshima
Population Patterns
Japan’s ethnically homogeneous and highly
urban society shapes population patterns.
• The people:
– About 99% of Japan’s population is ethnic
Japanese.
Population Patterns (cont.)
• Density and distribution:
– About 78% of Japan’s127.7 million people live
in coastal urban areas, such as the Tōkaidō
corridor.
– Tokyo is the world’s most populous urban
area.
Population and Transportation in Japan
History and Government
Japan has been shaped by both isolation
from and interaction with other cultures
throughout its history.
• Early history:
– China and Korea have a significant impact on
Japan’s civilization.
– Yamato dynasty
History and Government (cont.)
– Yoritomo Minamoto—first shogun
– 1542—first contact with Europe
– 1854—U.S. Navy pressures Japan to trade
with the U.S.
– Meiji Restoration
History and Government (cont.)
• Modern Japan:
– Change from feudal country to a modern country
– Cultural convergence
– 1894–1895—war with China
– 1904–1905—fought Russia
– WWI and WWII
Japan in World War II
History and Government (cont.)
– Invaded Manchuria and China
– Pact with Nazi Germany
– Today—democracy and second-largest economy
Culture
Japanese culture is a mix of ancient and
modern influences.
• Education—highly regarded and encouraged
• Health care—improved health care has helped
increase the average life expectancy to 82 years.
Culture (cont.)
• Language—Japanese
• Religion—Buddhism and Shintoism
• The arts—origami, tea ceremony, formal
landscaping, Kabuki theater, poetry (haiku)
• Family life—family is a source of stability and
strength.
North Korea and
South Korea
North Korea and South Korea
share similar histories but are
moving in very different
directions.
North Korea and
South Korea
A. Seoul
B. P’yŏngyang
Population Patterns
Physical geography and an ethnically
homogeneous population affect population
patterns in North Korea and South Korea.
• The people:
– Ethnically homogenous
– Small groups of Chinese, Japanese, and foreign
nationals
Population Patterns (cont.)
• Density and distribution:
– Most people inhabit coastal plains.
– About two-thirds of the Korean population live
in cities.
– South Korea has more than twice as many
people as North Korea.
Korean Population Growth
History and Government
The decision to divide Korea into North
Korea and South Korea remains an
important factor in the two countries’
development.
• Early history:
– Influence of Chinese
– Buddhism and Confucianism introduced
History and Government (cont.)
• Silla and Koryo dynasties
• Invaded by Mongolia, China, Japan
• Ruled by Japan; independence at end of WWII
History and Government (cont.)
• After the Korean War:
– North Korea:
• Centralized government controlled by the
Korean Workers’ Party (KWP)
• Economic stagnation, acute food shortages,
serious mismanagement of crucial
resources
– South Korea:
• Republic
The Korean War
Culture
Ancient ties created a shared culture, while
modern political divisions have fueled
differences in North Korea and South Korea.
• Education:
– North Korea—teaches communist ideology
– South Korea—improvement since WWII
Culture (cont.)
• Health care:
– North Korea—people suffer from inadequate
food, water, and heating supplies.
– South Korea—successful, modern system
Culture (cont.)
• Language—Korean
• Religion—Confucianism
• The arts—vases glazed in celadon, Buddhist
statues and sculptures, Buddhist temples
The People of East Asia
•
The populations of North
Korea, South Korea, and
Japan are ethnically
homogenous.
•
China, Mongolia, and
Taiwan have slightly more
diverse populations. For
example, China is home to
about 56 different ethnic
groups, most of which are
Han Chinese.
•
Population in China and South Korea continues to
grow, while Japan’s aging population is creating
new challenges for the country.
History and Government
•
Confucianism and Daoism
developed in China.
Buddhism spread from India
throughout East Asia.
•
China was ruled by a
succession of dynasties until
the early 1900s. Today
China’s government is an
authoritarian one-party state.
•
Japan, South Korea, Taiwan,
and Mongolia have
democratically elected governments.
•
North Korea’s government is run by communist dictator Kim
Jong II.
East Asia Today
•
Diplomatic and military
pressure from the West
has gradually opened
up much of East Asia to
the outside world.
•
With the exception of
North Korea, East Asia
has actively opened up
its markets, and become
a global exporter of goods.
•
North Korea remains
economically cut off from the rest of the world.
aborigine
an area’s original inhabitants
atheism
the belief that there is no God
cultural convergence
the mixing of cultures
acculturation
cultural modification of an individual,
group, or people by adapting to or
borrowing traits from another culture
cultural divergence
separation of people or societies, with
regard to beliefs, values, and
customs, because of distinctly
different political systems