Human Geography of East Asia – Lecture Review

These flashcards review major historical, cultural, economic, and geographic concepts from the lecture on East Asia, covering China, Mongolia, Taiwan, the Koreas, and Japan.

What geographic factor helped China develop one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations?

Its separation from Europe and other continents, which limited outside influence.

In Chinese history, what is a "dynasty"?

A series of rulers from the same family.

Which dynasty is considered the first Chinese dynasty and when did it arise?

The Shang Dynasty, around the 1700s BC.

Which dynasty gave China its name and first united smaller states under one empire?

The Qin Dynasty in 221 BC.

Who was the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty?

Shi Huangdi.

Which dynasty pushed the Chinese empire into Central Asia?

The Han Dynasty.

Which dynasty, established by Manchu invaders in 1644, was China’s last?

The Qing Dynasty.

What event ended more than 2,000 years of Chinese dynastic rule?

The 1911 revolution that overthrew the Qing Dynasty.

What are "spheres of influence" in 19th-century China?

Areas where European powers had special trading privileges and control.

What 1900 uprising sought to expel foreign influence from China?

The Boxer Rebellion.

Who led the Chinese Communists to victory in 1949?

Mao Zedong.

Where did the defeated Nationalists retreat after 1949?

Taiwan.

Which leader introduced moderate reforms in China after Mao’s death in 1976?

Deng Xiaoping.

Name the Chinese president and premier who began economic reforms in 2003.

President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao.

Approximately what percentage of China’s workforce is employed in agriculture?

About 60 %.

Why is China’s population concentrated in certain areas?

Only about 13 % of China’s land is arable, so people cluster where food can be grown.

Which crops dominate the fertile eastern river basins of China?

Rice, maize, wheat, and sweet potatoes.

Where is China’s industrial heartland located and why?

In the northeast, due to abundant coal, iron ore, oil, and better transportation.

Which city is China’s manufacturing leader?

Shanghai.

What Chinese export industry provides many jobs in consumer goods?

The consumer electronics industry.

List four major Chinese inventions that influenced world history.

Paper, printing, gunpowder, and the compass (also porcelain and silk).

What is Confucianism’s main social focus?

Education, respect for elders, and obedience to government in an orderly society.

Where did Buddhism originate, and when did it become major in China?

It originated in India and became major in China by AD 400.

What does Taoism emphasize regarding government interference?

Preserving harmony with minimal government interference.

Roughly how many people lived in China as of 2021?

More than 1.4 billion.

What traditional Chinese medical practice involves inserting needles at specific points?

Acupuncture.

Which nomadic leader founded the largest contiguous empire in history, including parts of China?

Genghis Khan.

When did Mongolia gain independence from China?

1911.

Under whose influence did Mongolia become a communist state in 1924?

The Soviet Union (as the Mongolian People’s Republic).

What is Mongolia’s most important cultural festival and what events does it feature?

The Naadam Festival, featuring wrestling, archery, and horse racing.

What portable felt-covered tent is traditional housing for Mongolian nomads?

A yurt.

Name two key mineral resources found in Mongolia.

Coal and copper (also petroleum, gold, and iron).

Which dynasty conquered Taiwan in 1683?

The Qing (Manchu) Dynasty.

Which country controlled Taiwan from 1895 until the end of World War II?

Japan.

Why does the People’s Republic of China not recognize Taiwan as an independent state?

It considers Taiwan a province of China.

What percentage of Taiwan’s population practices a blend of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism?

About 90 %.

What term describes Taiwan’s rapid economic growth based on manufacturing and exports?

Economic tiger.

Define the "Pacific Rim."

The economic and social region encompassing countries bordering the Pacific Ocean, from New Zealand clockwise to Chile.

Which Western sport became popular in Taiwan, especially in Little League competitions?

Baseball.

From which regions did the first Korean ancestors migrate?

Manchuria and North China.

Name the three ancient Korean kingdoms that existed by AD 300.

Koguryo, Paekche, and Silla.

Which kingdom unified the Korean Peninsula in the 660s?

Silla.

Which dynasty began in 1392 and lasted until Japan’s annexation in 1910?

The Yi (Joseon) Dynasty.

What year did Japan take control of Korea?

1910.

Who controlled North and South Korea respectively after World War II?

North: Soviet Union; South: United States.

What conflict began in 1950 when North Korea invaded the South?

The Korean War.

How did the Korean War end in 1953?

With a cease-fire and a border dividing Communist North Korea and democratic South Korea.

What cultural policy restricts artistic expression in North Korea?

Art must glorify Communism or folk tradition.

Why is South Korea labeled an "economic tiger"?

It has experienced rapid economic growth through shipbuilding, automobiles, steel, and technology exports.

Approximately how many soldiers does North Korea maintain?

Over 1 million.

What 2000 event signaled hope for Korean reunification?

A summit where North and South Korean leaders pledged to work toward reunification and reduce border tensions.

Which South Korean city exceeds ten million residents?

Seoul.

What is North Korea’s capital and largest city?

Pyongyang.

Where did Japan move its capital in 794, starting the Heian Period?

Heian, modern-day Kyoto.

Who were Japan’s professional soldiers serving clan leaders?

Samurai.

What title was given to Japan’s military dictator starting in 1192?

Shogun.

Who were the provincial governors under the shogun?

Daimyo.

Which American naval officer ended Japan’s isolation in 1853?

Commodore Matthew Perry.

In what year did the last shogun resign, restoring power to the emperor?

1868.

After World War II, how did Japan become an economic powerhouse despite limited resources?

By importing raw materials, focusing on manufacturing and export, and receiving U.S. assistance.

Roughly what portion of Japan’s population lives in urban areas?

About 79 %.

Where is Japan’s main industrial and population corridor located?

Along the east coast of Honshu.

Give two reasons for Japan’s economic slowdown in the 1990s.

Increased competition from other Asian countries and major stock-market losses.

Which traditional Japanese dramatic form features masked actors and historical themes?

Noh (and related classical dramas).

Name three popular sports in contemporary Japan.

Baseball, sumo wrestling, and soccer (also golf and tennis).

What is a "juku" in Japan’s education system?

A private cram school that helps students prepare for university entrance exams.

Why do many minorities in Japan face discrimination?

Japan has a largely homogeneous society with few minority groups.

What does naming someone a "Living National Treasure" signify in Japanese culture?

High respect for preserving traditional arts and skills.

How many provinces does China have?

Twenty-two.

Define "economic tiger."

A country with rapid economic growth due to cheap labor, high technology, and aggressive exports.

Which East Asian countries are commonly labeled economic tigers?

South Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore (sometimes Hong Kong).

What livestock-based lifestyle remains common in Mongolia?

Nomadic herding of sheep, goats, camels, horses, and cattle.

What treaty event carved China into foreign spheres of influence?

Unequal treaties forced on China in the 19th century by European powers.

Which city is known as the cultural monument of Japan, containing numerous Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines?

Kyoto.

What is the Three Games of Men celebrated during Mongolia’s Naadam Festival?

Wrestling, archery, and horse racing.

What year did communist rule end in Mongolia following the Soviet collapse?

1989–1990.

Which East Asian country still uses both traditional medicine and Western medicine nationwide?

China.

What term describes a society that can feed itself through its own agriculture?

Self-sufficient in agriculture.

Which region in China has a long growing season aiding crop diversity?

South China.

Why are land mines being cleared along the Korean border?

To rebuild rail links and reduce military tensions for possible reunification.

What is the significance of Seoul’s Ky’ongbok Palace surrounded by modern bustle?

It illustrates Korea’s blend of historical heritage within a rapidly modernizing urban environment.

What factor unites East Asian cultures despite varied political systems?

Historical influence from China in language, religion, and philosophical traditions.