East Asia – Human Geography Notes

China

• Oldest continuous civilization (~4000 years)
• Geographic isolation fostered independent development

Dynastic Timeline

• Shang: 1700s\,BC – 1100s\,BC (first recorded)
• Zhou replaced Shang
• Qin: united states, name “China,” first emperor Shi Huangdi (221\,BC)
• Han: expanded into Central Asia
• Qing (Manchu): 1644–1911 (last dynasty)

Foreign Pressure & Revolution

• 13^{th} century: limited European contact → intensified 19^{th} century
• Unequal treaties → “spheres of influence” (Britain, France, Germany, Russia)
• Boxer Rebellion 1900 resisted foreign control
• 1911 revolution ended empire

Rise of Communism

• Civil war Nationalists vs Communists
• 1949: Mao Zedong’s Communists won; Nationalists fled to Taiwan
• Leaders after Mao: Deng Xiaoping (1976–1980s), Hu Jintao & Wen Jiabao (2003)

Economy

• Rural: \approx60\% workforce farming; only \approx13\% land arable; eastern basins grow rice, maize, wheat
• Industrial northeast: coal, iron, oil; Shanghai key manufacturing hub; major outputs—steel, machinery, electronics, textiles

Culture & Inventions

• Arts highly developed (bronze, jade, painting, pottery)
• Inventions: paper, printing, gunpowder, compass, porcelain, silk
• Religions/philosophies: Confucianism (education, respect, order), Buddhism (from India \approx500\,BC, major by AD\,400), Taoism (harmony with nature, Lao-Tzu 6^{th} century BC)

Population & Health

• World’s most populous (>{1.4}\,\text{billion}, 1/5 of humanity)
• 22 provinces; mix of traditional Chinese & Western medicine, acupuncture widespread

Mongolia

Historical Overview

• Nomadic herders for millennia
• Genghis Khan built vast empire (died 1227) → empire dissolved 1300s
• Qing China ruled 17^{th} century – 1911; independence 1911
• Mongolian People’s Republic 1924 under Soviet influence; communism lasted 72 years, ended 1989

Culture

• Blends Mongol & Chinese elements
• Naadam Festival (wrestling, archery, horse racing) each July\,11, roots \approx2300 years

Economy

• Traditional: nomadic herding (sheep, goats, camels, horses, cattle)
• Post-communist transition to market economy challenging
• Resources: coal, petroleum, copper, gold, iron; aim to expand manufacturing & construction

Daily Life

• Many still live in yurts; some maintain nomadic lifestyles despite harsh climate

Taiwan

Historical Ties

• Populated by migrants from southern China & SE Asia; Malay & Polynesian roots
• Qing annexed 1683; Japan ruled 1895–1945 (Formosa)
• Nationalists retreated 1949; PRC sees island as province

Culture

• \approx100\% ethnic Chinese; Mandarin dominant
• 90\% follow blend of Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism; small Christian minority

Economy

• Economic “tiger” despite scarce resources; exports electronics (radios, TVs, calculators, computers)
• Part of Pacific Rim trade network

Western Influence

• Relatively open; baseball popular (successful Little League teams 1970s)

The Koreas

Historical Background

• Early state Choson \approx2000\,BC; Chinese conquest north 100\,BC
• Three Kingdoms by AD\,300: Koguryo, Paekche, Silla → Silla unified 660s
• Yi (Joseon) dynasty 1392–1910; Japan annexed 1910–1945

Division & Conflict

• Post-WWII: North = Soviet, South = US zones
• Korean War 1950–1953 → armistice & DMZ; tension persists

Culture

• Shared Chinese roots (language, art, Confucianism, Buddhism)
• Post-1945 divergence: North—Communist-centric arts; South—Western influence & artistic freedom

Toward Unity

• Both maintain massive militaries (North >1 million, South >600{,}000)
• Summit June\,2000 pledged cooperation; incidents like 2010 naval sinking renew tensions

Economy & Demographics

• South: economic tiger (shipbuilding, autos, steel, chemicals); 45\% land, 66\% population; aging, low birth rate; Seoul >10 million
• North: command economy, self-reliance policy; limited data; Pyongyang >2.5 million

Japan

Early History

• Inhabitants from Asia & South Pacific; migrations via Siberia & Korea
• Agriculture & metallurgy established 1500 years ago
• Clans era until Yamato ascendancy 5^{th} century; emperors from 7^{th} century
• Capital Heian (Kyoto) 794; samurai class emerged serving landowners

Shogunate Era

• Shogun post created 1192 → military dictatorship \approx700 years
• Daimyo governed provinces; repelled Mongols; limited Western contact until 1853 (Commodore Perry)
• Last shogun resigned 1868; imperial restoration

Modern Economy

• Post-WWII recovery → second-largest economy after US; relies on imports for resources
• Industrial corridor on Honshu east coast; exports cars, electronics
• Slowdown 1990s: Asian competition, stock losses, high savings rate

Culture

• Blends traditional (Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, Noh/Kabuki drama) with Western influences (sports, music, fashion)
• Harmony with nature central (e.g., Kyoto design)

Society & Education

• Population >129 million, 79\% urban; high density—60\% live on 2.7\% land
• Education rigorous: 6-day school week, juku prep schools, intense university competition
• Current issues: pollution, overcrowding, demand for better work-life balance; anti-discrimination laws weak enforcement