History AT2 Year 7 MHS Ancient Chinese Geography

Yangtze River

Longest river in Asia, flows east to Shanghai, vital for crops and transport

Yellow River (Huang He)

"Cradle of Chinese civilisation", fertile loess soil for farming but prone to floods

Wei River

Major tributary of the Yellow River, supported early farming communities

Natural barriers - North

Gobi Desert and Siberia, isolated China from northern neighbours

Natural barriers - West

Taklamakan Desert and Tibetan Plateau, made travel and invasion difficult

Natural barriers - South/West

Himalayas and jungles, blocked contact with India and SE Asia

Natural barriers - East

Pacific Ocean, limited overseas contact and encouraged self-sufficiency

Effect of rivers

Provided fresh water, fertile soil, irrigation and routes for movement

Effect of floods

Yellow River floods deposited fertile silt but caused destruction and change of course

Climate zones

North = cool with grain farming; Central = warm with varied crops; South = hot, ideal for rice/tea

Loess Plateau

Fertile but highly erodible soil that colours the Yellow River yellow

Isolation of China

Natural barriers limited contact, creating a unique, self-contained civilisation

Zhong Guo (Middle Kingdom)

Name meaning "Central Kingdom", reflecting belief China was centre of civilisation

Impact of isolation

Protected culture, limited foreign influence, and led to viewing outsiders as barbarians

Agriculture in North

Fertile lands near Yellow River good for wheat and millet

Agriculture in Central

Warm and rainy conditions supported a variety of crops

Agriculture in South

Hot, wet climate ideal for wet-rice cultivation and tea

If no natural barriers

China would likely have experienced more invasions and greater cultural exchange

Importance of geography to isolation

Rivers and barriers created safety, resources, and a distinct cultural identity