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Geography of Asia Handouts

Geography of Asia QuestionsUsing maps from your textbook, atlases, or other sources, answer the following questions about the geography of Asia. Each block will have a question to answer on the answer grid and a question to fill in on the map.

1. Europe and Asia form one largelandmass—Eurasia. What twomountain ranges are the divisionbetween Europe and Asia? LabelEurope on your map.

2. Asia is the world’s largestcontinent. It contains part of theworld’s largest country, Russia,and the country with the largestpopulation in the world, China.What is the name of the countrybetween these two giants? Labelall three on your map.

3. Asia has more mountains than anyother continent, including theworld’s highest mountain. Whatis the name of this mountain? Onyour map, label these mountainranges: Tian Shan, Altai, Kunlun,Himalaya, Hindu Kush, Ural, andCaucasus. Lightly color each.

4. The country of India has almostone billion people. What is itscapital? Mark and label thecapitals of India, China, Japan,South Korea, The Philippines,Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia.

5. The longest river in Asia islocated in China. What is itsname? Label these Asian riversand outline them in blue. Indus,Ganges, Mekong, Huang He(Yellow), ChangJiang (Yangtze),Hongshui.

6. Name the large body of water tothe east of Asia. Label theseseas and oceans. Indian Ocean,Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea,South China Sea, Pacific Ocean,Sea of Japan, Yellow Sea, EastChina Sea. Lightly color themblue.

Geography of Asia 1

Geography of Asia Questions-continued

7. Southeast Asia is a peninsula offive countries and three island-nations, which form archipelagos.Name them. Label them on yourmap.

8. Off the east coast of mainlandAsia is a large island-nation.What is the name of thiscountry? Label it on your map.

9. Much of Asia is covered bydesert. The Gobi Desert is inwhat two countries? On yourmap, label the Gobi, Taklimakan,and Thar (Great Indian) Deserts.

10. Southeast Asia is locatedbetween the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer. How is the climate described? On your map, draw in and label these two lines of latitude.

11. One of the world’s greatestman-made features is innorthern China. What is it?Label it on your map.

12. Between China and Japan,there is a peninsula thatcontains a country divided intwo. What are their names?Label them on your map.

Geography of Asia 2

Geography of Asia Answer Grid 1. 2.

3. 4.

5. 6.

7. 8.

9. 10.

11. 12.

Geography of Asia 3

Map of Asia

Geography of Asia 4

Geography of Asia-answers 1. The Ural Mountains and the

Caucusus Mountains divideEurope and Asia.

2. Mongolia is between China andRussia.

3. The highest mountain in theworld is Mt. Everest.

4. New Delhi is the capital of India.(Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul, Manilla,Hanoi, Bangkok, Phnom Penh)

5. Asia’s largest River is ChiangJiang (Yangtze).

6. The large body of water to theeast of Asia is the Pacific Ocean.

7. The five countries on thepeninsula are Myanmar, Thailand,Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos. Theisland nations are Malayasia,Indonesia, and the Philippines.

8. Japan is the large island-nationoff the coast of China.

9. The Gobi Desert is in China andMongolia.

10. The climate of Southeast Asia istropical.

11. The Great Wall of China is thelarge man-made object.

12. The peninsula between Chinaand Japan is North and SouthKorea.

Geography of Asia 5

Asia Game

STAR

T

END

You like visiting Asia so much you start your trip over from the

beginning!

Head strait for the Great Wall

of China

The tea trade was very

mportant to Asia. top and rest for turn and enjoy a

cup of tea!

Congratulations! You just made it to the top of Mt. Fugi,

Japans sacred treasure.

Take another turn.

iSa

Geography of Asia 6

Geography of Asia Game Cards 1

What are the mountain ranges that divide Europe from Asia?

2

What is the name of the world’s highest mountain?

3

Name the longest river in Asia.

4

Identify the island country east of the mainland.

5

China and Mongolia are home to what desert?

6

What is the famous man-made feature in China that can be seen from outer space?

7

Identify the mountain range north of India.

8

What is the body of water located southeast of India?

9

Identify the body of water off the southwest coast of India.

10

If you traveled from China to Japan what body of water would you travel on?

Geography of Asia 7

Geography of Asia Game Cards

11

Identify the largest lake?

12

Name the three oceans that surround Asia.

13

Name the peninsula that is home to North and South Korea.

14

What is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia?

15

Which country in East Asia is landlocked?

16

What and where is the world’s largest plateau?

17

What country is located along the Pacific Ring of Fire?

18

What is the Pacific Ring of Fire?

19

The Malay Archipelago is made up of mostly what two countries?

20

What river flows southeast from China to southern Vietnam?

Geography of Asia 8

Geography of Asia Game Cards

21

Which two rivers drain the Deccan Plateau, in India, directly into the Bay of Bengal?

22

Identify the island country off the southern coast of India.

23 24

25 26

27 28

29 30

Geography of Asia 9

Asia Game Cards Answers

1. Ural Mountains and the Caucusus Mountains2. Mt. Everest3. Chiang Jiang (Yangtze)4. Japan5. Gobi Desert6. The Great Wall of China7. Himalayas Mountains8. Bay of Bengal9. Arabian Sea10. Sea of Japan11. Caspian Sea12. Pacific, Indian, and the Arctic13. Korean Peninsula14. Laos15. Mongolia16. Plateau of Tibet, between the Himalayas17. Japan18. Region of volcanic activity and earthquakes19. Indonesia, Philippines20. Mekong21. Godavari, Krishna22. Sri Lanka

Geography of Asia 10

Hinduism Hinduism is considered the world's oldest religion. It originated in India approximately 4,000 years ago. Most Hindus live in India. The migration of Hindus to the United States has increased in the last fifty years.

Basic Beliefs Hinduism is different from most religions. There is no prophet, no book, no creed. They use poetic phrases passed down thousands of years to express their philosophy of life. Writings such as the Bhagwad Gita (BUHG un vvhd GEE tah) contain statements such as, "Truth is one, the wise perceive it in many ways.” Statements such as this are open to the opinions of others.

Gods & Goddesses Hindus have numerous gods and goddesses; but they are all part of one supreme being, Brahman. Hindus believe that everything goes in cycles. They believe the universe has been created, sustained, and destroyed many times. There are three major parts of Brahman who rule over these cycles of the universe: 1. Brahman, who creates the world,2. Vishnu, who sustains the universe for 432 million human years, and3. Shiva, who destroys the universe. This begins the cycle again.

Brahman is not generally worshipped by the individual. Vishnu and Shiva are the two main gods of Hinduism that are worshipped by the people. Vishnu has a kindly nature and is thought to try to insure the welfare of humanity. He descends from heaven to earth whenever a catastrophe faces the universe or if humanity needs comfort and guidance. While Vishnu is very involved with humanity, Shiva is aloof from people. He is sometimes pictured meditating alone. Shiva has the third eye of wisdom located on his forehead. He has great power and can be loving. He saves man by "drinking" (removing) man's sins; hence, Shiva's throat is blue.

Reincarnation & Castes Reincarnation is the rebirth of the soul after death into the body of another. This

belief in reincarnation has resulted in a caste system. The castes divide the people into lifelong social positions. They are born into a caste. It is felt that the way one has lived in a previous life dictates into which caste you are born. If you have been a good person, you are awarded by being born into a higher caste. The person who has been evil is punished by having to live his life as part of a lower caste. For each caste there are definite rules and regulations that dictate whom they can marry, with whom they can socialize, and what they can eat.

Those that did not belong to any caste were thought to be created from darkness that Brahma discarded when he was creating the universe. These are known as outcasts or


untouchables. The government has tried to outlaw the caste system, especially untouchables, but it has been difficult in the small villages. Brahmins are the privileged or highest caste. Originally, they were not permitted to engage in any type of work other than study and religious teachings. Now they can become lawyers, doctors, businessmen, government employees or university professors. Originally, those from other castes were expected to support and sustain the Brahmins with gifts of food or money. The gifts provided the donator great benefits or merit. Brahmins are expected to be vegetarians. Ksatriyas as the warriors and rulers were originally obligated to protect the community. They had to be willing to give their lives to protect the Brahmins and the sacred animals. Since they were warriors, they were permitted to kill animals, other than the sacred cow, to eat. The Vaisyas as farmers and traders were supposed to make money to improve the economic conditions of the country. They were encouraged to give gifts to the Brahmins and money to build Temples. The Sudras serve the three higher classes with diligence and humbleness. Some of the positions of this class are the weavers and the carpenters. The outcasts or untouchables were not allowed to enter the villages and towns except to do the most menial labor. They were not allowed to own land or to build houses. They lived in wretched conditions.

Hinduism & Food Lacto-Vegetarians Hindus believe that all living things contain a part of the divine spirit. Therefore, all life is sacred. If you take the life of even the smallest creature, it is as if you harm part of Brahman. Most religious Hindus, especially Brahmins, are vegetarians. This means that the only animal food that they eat is dairy foods.

Sacred Cow All Hindus avoid eating beef since they consider the cow sacred. It is estimated that 40,000 cows wander the streets of New Delhi being patted by each person they meet. While all animals are considered sacred, the cow has been singled out as particularly sacred because they: * Have given years of faithful service in helping man till the soil and pull the carts.* Provide man with food, milk.* Provide man with fuel, in form of cow dung, to heat his home and cook his food.* In Hindu mythology the cow was created by Brahman on the same day as the

Brahmins thus it is an animal venerated above all others.* Symbol of motherhood.

From FOOD AND RELIGION.© Learning Zone Express. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce and distribute this publication for educational and research purposes. Any reproduction of this publication for commercial use is prohibited.


Buddhism The Buddha is the name given to the person, Siddhartha Gautama, after he

reached “enlightenment.” Siddhartha Gautama was born around 567 B.C.E. in a small kingdom just below the Himalayan foothills. He reached “enlightenment” at the age of 35 and taught for another 45 years. The name of Buddha is used today to both recall the historical figure and to remind the living that this was a person just like ourselves. Buddhism as a religion existed for 500 years before anything was written down, so it has by necessity, a strong oral history. Buddhists today take refuge by repeating the name of the Buddha.

Core Beliefs of Buddhism: Buddhism, like most of the great religions of the world, is divided into a

number of different traditions. However, most traditions share a common set of fundamental beliefs.

One fundamental belief of Buddhism is reincarnation, the concept that people are reborn after dying. In fact, it is believed that most individuals go through many cycles of birth, living, death and rebirth.

After many such cycles, if a person releases their attachment to desire and the self, they can attain Nirvana. This is a state of liberation and freedom from suffering. You are no longer reincarnated if you have reached Nirvana.

The Four Noble Truths: The traditional starting beliefs are the Four Noble Truths. The Buddha's Four Noble Truths explore human suffering. They may be described (somewhat simplistically) as:

1. Dukkha: Suffering exists: Suffering is real and almost universal. Sufferinghas many forms: loss, sickness, pain, failure, fleeting pleasure.

2. Samudaya: There is a cause for suffering. It is the desire to have and controlthings. It can take many forms: craving worldly things; the desire forattention; the desire to avoid unpleasant sensations like fear, anger orjealousy.

3. Nirodha: There is an end to suffering. Suffering ceases with the finalfreedom, called Nirvana.. The mind experiences complete freedom, liberationand non-attachment. It lets go of any desire or craving for worldly things.

4. Magga: In order to end suffering, you must follow the Eightfold Path.


The Five Precepts: These are rules to live by. They are similar to some of the Ten Commandments in Judaism and Christianity, those that describe behaviors to avoid.

1. Do not kill. This is sometimes translated as "not harming" or an absence ofviolence.

2. Do not steal. This includes the avoidance of deceit and taking advantage ofsomeone.

3. Do not lie. This is includes name-calling, gossip, etc.4. Do not misuse sex. For monks and nuns, this means not having sex. For regular

people, this means not cheating or harassing.5. Do not consume alcohol or other drugs. Drugs and alcohol cloud the mind. Some

might include other ways of escaping like excess television or the internet.

The Eightfold Path: The Buddha's Eightfold Path consists of: Panna: Discernment, wisdom: 1. Right Understanding of the Four Noble Truths2. Right thinking; following the right path in lifeSila: Virtue, morality: 3. Right speech: no lying, criticism, condemning, gossip, harsh language4. Right conduct by following the Five Precepts5. Right livelihood; support yourself without harming othersSamadhi: Concentration, meditation: 6. Right Effort: promote good thoughts; conquer evil thoughts7. Right Mindfulness: Become aware of your body, mind and feelings8. Right Concentration: Meditate to achieve a higher state of consciousness


a The Forbidden City

China was ruled by emperors until the early 1900s. The emperor lived in splendor and ruled China from the “Forbidden City,” in the center of Beijing. Nearly 9,000 servants, artists and nobles also lived in the Forbidden City to assist in

managing the empire, but mostly to see to the emperor’s needs.

The Forbidden City (named this because common people were forbidden to enter) was built in 1406 with many additions over the next five hundred years. The Forbidden City is surrounded by a thirty-two foot high wall and a 165 foot wide moat. Within the walls are 800 buildings. In the center were palaces, libraries, and theaters, all covered in yellow tile roofs. This special yellow color was reserved only for the emperor. Only high government officials and foreign diplomats would have been allowed to speak to the Emperor.

Court life was organized into ceremonies with elaborate rules. Every detail was symbolic. Forms of dress and speech indicated a person’s place in society. Colors and architectural features were chosen for good fortune, and every detail was done with the emperor in mind.

What can you say about Chinese society in the time of the emperors?

A Tour of China


b Farming in ChinaFarming in China is very hard work. China has very little money, and the money they have is invested in high-tech businesses, not usually in farming. So, when traveling around the country, it is quite common to leave a city in a modern bus, drive along a modern four-lane highway, pass modern factories and then see farmers plowing their fields with water buffalo.

The life of a farmer is very hard. They plant the seeds by hand, cultivate with rakes and hoes, harvest by hand, carry the produce in baskets on their backs, and often take it to market piled high on three-wheeled bicycles.

Slowly, this is changing. As China’s economy grows, machinery is more available and commercial farming is spreading. Young men and women from rural areas are leaving the farms for easier lives in the cities. China is the world's leading rice producer and ranks second only to the United States in the production of corn.

What connection is there between farming in China and the growth of the cities?


c The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is the longest structure ever built. Its length is about 4,000 miles long, and it was built entirely by hand. The wall crosses northern China between the east coast and north-central China.

One of the highest sections of the Great Wall, near Beijing, is about thirty-five feet high. Watchtowers stand about 100 to 200 yards apart along the wall. The towers, about 40 high, once served as lookout posts.

Various rulers built walls to protect their northern border against invaders as early as the 600s B.C.E. Most of what is now called the Great Wall dates from the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). Like earlier walls, it protected China from minor attacks but provided little defense against a major invasion.

Through the centuries, much of the Great Wall had collapsed. However, the Chinese have worked on restoring the wall. The wall no longer serves the purpose of defense, but it attracts many visitors. Tourists from around the world come to see the wall. Historians study writing and objects found in fortifications and tombs along the structure.

For what reasons, beside attacks, might Chinese rulers have wanted to keep foreigners out?


d Tiananmen Square Tiananmen Square is a large plaza near the center of Beijing, The square is named after the Tiananmen Gate (literally, Gate of Heavenly Peace), which separates it from the Forbidden City. Tiananmen Square has great cultural significance as the site of several key events in Chinese history. The most important use of the square in the past was to declare a new emperor and empress.

The granite Monument to the People's Heroes is at the center of the Tiananmen Square. Eight unusually large sculptures show the development of modern Chinese history. West of the Square is the Great Hall of the People. This building is the site of the

China National People's Congress meetings. Mao Zedong Memorial Hall is at the south side of the Square where Chairman Mao's body lies in a crystal coffin. The China National Museum is located to the east side of the Square.

Tiananmen Square has been the site of a number of political events such as the proclamation of the People's Republic of China by Chairman in October 1, 1949, for mass rallies during the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s, and protests for democracy in 1989. The protests of 1989 resulted in the killing of hundreds of Chinese students. Although Tiananmen Square is heavily monitored by police, it is also a relaxing place for the common people to fly kites and walk. On a holiday, the whole square is covered with fresh flowers.

How would you compare Tiananmen Square in Beijing to the National Mall in Washington, D.C.?


e The Three Gorges Dam The Three Gorges Dam, under construction on the Yangtze River in China, will be the world's largest dam. It will control flooding on the Yangtze, China's longest and most important river. The dam will also generate huge amounts of hydroelectric power, necessary for China’s growing needs. Construction began in 1994 and is scheduled for completion in 2014.

According to plans, the Three Gorges Dam will be about 1 1/3 miles long and 610 feet high. A reservoir nearly 400 miles long will extend upstream. About 150,000 acres of land will soon be covered with water, including 160 towns and sixteen archaeological sites. About 1.3 million people will have to be moved.

The project has stirred much controversy. Supporters say the dam will save lives by preventing floods on the Yangtze and will bring development to the areas along the river. They point out that the electric power the project will generate will help reduce the use of coal and decrease air pollution. Critics believe the high cost could ruin the Chinese economy. They are concerned about the environmental impact, the loss of cultural artifacts and historic sites, and the effect on millions of people.

What are the positives and negatives of building the Three Gorges Dam?


f Philosophy and Religion in China Religion played an important part in traditional Chinese life. Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism were the major beliefs throughout most of China's history.

Confucianism is based on the ideas of Confucius, a Chinese philosopher who was born about 550 B.C. Confucianism encourages a well-ordered society in which parents rule their children, and the educated rule the common people. Parents and rulers must treat those in their control justly. In addition, Confucianism strongly emphasizes deep respect for one's ancestors and for the past. Taoism is a native Chinese religion. It teaches that a person should live in harmony with nature and avoid everyday concerns. Taoism began during the 300s B.C. and is based largely on a book called the Tao Te Ching (The Classic of the Way and the Virtue). Buddhism reached China from India before 100 A.D., and became well established throughout the country. It taught strict moral standards and the ideas of rebirth and life

after death. The Chinese Buddhists worshipped many gods and appealed to them for help in times of troubles.

The Chinese government used to encourage the people to study science and political writings to solve their problems instead of religion. The government turned Taoist and Buddhist temples into museums, schools, and meeting halls. However, government attitudes towards religion are changing. The government now recognizes the value of such Confucian ideas as the importance of education and correct moral behavior and some temples have been returned to religious groups.

Muslims make up about two percent of the Chinese population, and about one percent of the people are Christians.

What teachings of Chinese religion and philosophy would help the Chinese people govern themselves well?


g Taiwan

Taiwan, (Ty-Wahn) is a mountainous island in the South China Sea, about 90 miles off the Chinese coast. After the Chinese Communists conquered mainland China in 1949, the Chinese Nationalist government moved to Taiwan and called it the Republic of China. The Chinese Nationalist government is a democracy based on a Constitution adopted in 1946 on the mainland.

Like the United States, Taiwan has a capitalist economy. They produce and sell many goods around the world. The cities are large and modern and the citizens enjoy a high standard of living. About one-fifth of the people of Taiwan farm the land. Taiwanese farmers live well by Asian standards. Power tillers are gradually replacing water buffaloes in the fields. Many farmers can afford bicycles, motorcycles, refrigerators, radios, and television sets. Most of the farmhouses are made of brick with tile roofs and central courtyards of packed earth or cement.

Mainland (Communist) China still claims control over Taiwan. The issue of bringing the two Chinas together has been debated for decades. The conflict is over how the Taiwanese, who are used to freedom, would live under the Chinese system of control and few civil rights. Many Taiwanese, however, support reuniting with the mainland because of their shared history and culture.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Taiwan remaining separate from mainland China?


h Terra Cotta (Clay) Warriors Qin Shi Huang is considered the first emperor of China. He became emperor when he was just thirteen years old in 246 B.C.E. He worked to unite the small kingdoms and provinces of the region.

Emperor Qin’s tomb is the site of the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century. Work is still being done at this site.

The tomb took eleven years to finish. Many speculated that many buried treasures and sacrificial objects had also been buried with the emperor for his after life. In 1974, a group of

peasants uncovered some pottery while digging for a well nearby the royal tomb It caught the attention of archeologists immediately. They came to the city of Xian in droves to study and dig. Today, Xian and the Museum of Qin Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses have become landmarks for scholars, historians, educators, and tourists.

Life-sized terracotta figures of warriors and horses arranged in battle formations are the star features at the museum. They are replicas of what the imperial guard looked like in the days of Qin Shi Huang. More than 7,000 clay soldiers, horses, chariots, and even weapons have been unearthed from these pits. Most of them have been restored to their former grandeur.

What does Qin Shi Huang’s burial say about China during his time?


i Mao Zedong For centuries, China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences. However, in the 1800s and 1900s, China had many problems such as famine and military defeats. After World War II, Mao Zedong established Communism in China. He imposed strict controls over people’s everyday lives and cost the lives of tens of millions of people.

As the leader of the Chinese Communist Party, Mao Zedong is the individual most associated with the successes and failures of the Communism in China. Mao was praised for many of the reforms he brought about. China experienced enormous social change early in his rule. Peasants were no longer controlled by landowners, and he changed marriage laws that freed many Chinese women. But in the late 1950s and 1960s, Mao began a series of disastrous economic and social programs which brought change at an enormous human cost.

By 1962, Chairman Mao left China's economy in ruins, and some thirty million Chinese died from starvation. In 1966, Mao called for a "Cultural Revolution" to train a new generation of Chinese people. Millions of students, called the Red Guard, destroyed China’s institutions and individuals if they were not “revolutionary” enough. It led to the deaths of more than two million people, including many scholars, intellectuals and artists. During the Cultural Revolution, Mao elevated himself to an almost godlike status. His image was found everywhere throughout China, and his sayings were routinely quoted.

What judgment would you make about Mao Zedong?


Information Matrix for Tour of China Tourist Site Information from each site Response to Questions

a The Forbidden City

b Farming in China

c The Great Wall of China

d Tiananmen Square


Tourist Site Information from each site Response to Questions e The Three

Gorges Dam

f Philosophy and Religion in China

g Taiwan

h Terra Cotta

Warriors

i Mao Zedong

Information Matrix for Tour of China - continued


Photo Analysis Worksheet

1. Study the photograph for two minutes. Form an overallimpression of the photograph and then examine individualitems. Identify the theme of the photograph. Next, dividethe photo into quadrants and study each section to see whatnew details become visible.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Use the chart below to list people, objects, and activities inthe photograph.

People Objects Activities

Based on what you have observed above, list three things you might infer from this photograph. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Photo Analysis Worksheet-continued

What questions does this photograph raise in your mind? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Where could you locate the answers to your questions?

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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