Geography of China

“The Roof of the World” – Tibetan Plateau • • • A HUGE raised plain that forms most of Tibet Sits higher than most mountaintops in the USA Many of Asia’s largest rivers begin on this plateau •

Short video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2BMvL8gJxI

Huang River (Yellow River)

• • • 3,000 miles long Starts as a clear stream, but picks up silt on its journey Spreads enough silt on the North China Plain to create a delta • China’s oldest civilization grew from farming communities along the lower part of the river Short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkD4lKWS0ro

The Huang River Valley

• • • GIANT curve around the Ordos Desert Cuts through hilly region made of LOESS (yellow soil) Short Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGwb3zxRR-A

Loess: A Blessing and a Curse

• • • • Short Video (start at 4:10, end 5:00) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAfV mksdqi8 Loess-silt helps farmers because it is fine, rock-free, and very fertile Can easily be carried away by storms because it is light and fluffy After storms, farmers are left with poor soil

What happens when a levee breaks? Qiantang River footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5ePTrZn-rk

Controlling the Floods

• • Unlike Egypt, did NOT welcome floods – they would wash away the soil Built earth LEVEES (walls) to keep river in banks • Canals were built, but were sometimes ineffective – loess would clog them

Huang Valley’s Population Grew, and…

• Farmers had to clear trees to plant crops • • Erosion was a result: the wearing away of soil • Difficult for farmers to grow crops when soil is washed away Famines occurred

Summing it Up (Answer in Partners)

• • • How has loess helped China’s farmers? How has it caused problems?

Why was it important for ancient farmers to control the Huang River? What made it hard for them to achieve their goal?

What caused ancient farmers to strip loess-lands of their trees and shrubs? What effects did this have on life along the Huang?