Asian Geography

Mr. Langford’s Class

A brief look at Asian countries

Overview

• To learn the some of the Asian countries

• To learn where countries are located

• To learn more about the countries involved

• To learn how countries influence our lives

The Asian Continent

• The largest continent

• Contains the most people

• Has the highest mountains

• Has the deepest lake

• Home of several great wonders

China

• Largest country in the world--1.25 billion

• Has a Communist government

• Third largest in total area

• Home of the panda bear

• Largest producer of rice

• Becoming one of the largest buyers of goods

• Current state est. by Mao Tse Dong

Russia

• Located in two continents divided by the Ural mountains

• Largest country by total area• Has the deepest lake-- Lake Baykal• Has Siberia• What type of government?• Why are the Russians important to the world?

Vietnam

• Long country located on a peninsula

• Another major contender with the United States

• Communist/socialist government

• Current state est. by Ho Chi Minh

• Mostly self sufficient

• Influence by monsoons

Cambodia

• Seen of one of the worst massacres

• Former leader Pol Pot

• Borders the Gulf Siam

• Has one of the largest pirate businesses in the world

• Capital-Phnom Phen

Turkey

• Known as Asia Minor

• Located on a peninsula

• Largely Muslim

• Considered as one of the next vacation “hot spots” --Why?

• Weather influenced by what?

• Major partner and political ally--why?

Israel

• A very small country

• Consists of mostly Jews

• Established in 1948--by what mandate?

• Usually in scuffles with neighboring countries

• Has fought several wars

• A major influence in the Middle East

Saudi Arabia

• A country located on a peninsula

• Mostly Muslim--what governs their laws?

• Mostly desert

• Home of the Muslim religion--what two cities are extremely important?

• Major oil producer

• A leader in the Middle East--Why?

Iran

• Home of the Persian Empire

• Has had some very corrupt govt.

• Has mountains and desert

• Located on the Persian Gulf

• Primate city--Tehran

• Mostly Shi’ite Muslim--what’s the difference?

India

• Second largest country in the world

• Mostly Hindu

• Has over 15 major languages--which is the official?

• Home of several major religions--which ones?

• What two rivers are associated with India?

Bangladesh

• Formerly East Pakistan

• Became its own country in 1970--Why would it split?

• Mostly Muslim

• Has an extremely large river delta--which river?

• One of the poorest countries in Asia

Japan

• One of the largest industrial leaders

• Comprised of four main islands

• Home of the Shinto religion

• Famous for the samurai

• One of the densist countries in the world

• Mt Fuji

• Held the winter Olympics in 1998.

South Korea

• Korean Peninsula

• Influenced heavily by the monsoons

• Seperated from for about fifty years

• Currently working on unification

• What major sea is located near Korea

• Why is Korea a concern for the U.S.?

Indonesia

• Country comprised of thousands of islands

• Is said to be the home of 2/3 of Muslim population

• What is a series of islands called?

• Has some of the world’s rainforest

• Still has native languages and cultures

• Now has the tallest building in the world

Philippines

• A country made up hundreds of islands• Manila--capital city• Mt. Pinetubo • Claimed by the Spanish and then possessed

by the United States in the Spanish-American War

• Culture is a combination of Spanish/American/Native