East Asia

Current News and Weather Defining the Region Landforms and Climate Natural Hazards Environmental Issues Three Gorges Dam

For Next Class: Read Rest of Chapter 11Reminder: Exam IV on Friday (5/1)!

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Setting the Boundaries

Composed of China, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, and Taiwan

Historically unified culture

Politically and ideologically divided

Diversity Amid Globalization, 4th edition: Rowntree, Lewis, Price, and Wyckoff

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East Asia

Figure 11.1

Diversity Amid Globalization, 4th edition: Rowntree, Lewis, Price, and Wyckoff

4

Climate

Figure 11.8

How do East Asian climates compare with Eastern North American climates?

Diversity Amid Globalization, 4th edition: Rowntree, Lewis, Price, and Wyckoff

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Climates of East Asia

Three main factors influencing climates:1. Himalayan Mts and ranges of Central Asian mountain

massif2. Siberian High Pressure3. Tsushima Current (warm waters of South/East China Sea)

Climates compare very favorably to eastern North American climates, with two exceptions:1. The C and D climates extend much farther south due to

the influence of the Siberian High2. Coastal areas, especially in the northeast, are much drier

(cold air does not hold near the moisture that warmer air does)

Diversity Amid Globalization, 4th edition: Rowntree, Lewis, Price, and Wyckoff

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Japan’s Physical EnvironmentsSnow in the Japanese Alps

Japanese Forests

Figure 11.10

Figure 11.11

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0LjDFewj6E

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Diversity Amid Globalization, 4th edition: Rowntree, Lewis, Price, and Wyckoff

12Figure 11.2

Environmental Issues – Overview

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Environmental Issues (cont’d)Three Gorges

Flooding on the North China Plain Figure 11.4

Figure 11.3

Three Gorges Dam

http://video.nytimes.com/video/2007/11/17/world/1194817102562/living-with-the-three-gorges-dam.htmlhttp://dsc.discovery.com/videos/discovery-atlas-china-revealed-three-gorges-dam.html

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What are the benefits and drawbacks of the Three Gorges Dam? Why was China so determined to proceed with the project?