the yangtze river and the three gorges dam. china the world’s most populated country –1.3...
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The Yangtze Riverand The Three Gorges Dam
China• The world’s most populated country
– 1.3 billion people
• 90% live in the eastern ½– most major cities– most suitable farmland
• One of the world’s largest economies, but most Chinese still live “modestly”
China• The government still controls much of
the economy.• Since the early 1980s, the
government has given some control over to individuals.
• As the standard of living increases, more people want consumer goods (cars, refrigerators, tvs…)
China• One of the largest producers and
consumers of coal.• Coal-burning plants provided 75% of
China’s electrical energy.– hydroelectric plants and oil-burning
plants provide the rest
China• Farming is main economic activity
– more than 50%– most people live in rural villages
• Only 14% of China’s land is arable.• Have managed to provide enough
food for all people– droughts and floods interrupt production
the Yangtze River• 3,964 miles long
– looks like a dragon
• aka “Chang Jiang” or long river• world’s 3rd longest river• source: Tannula Mountains of Qinghai
Province– height of the mts causes rapid flow
• empties in the East China Sea
the Yangtze River• longest and most important in China
– “lifeblood of China”
• thousands live on its banks • 1/3 of China’s farms are irrigated by the
river• about ½ of China’s ocean trade is carried
over the Yangtze and its tributaries• important cities: Shanghai, Nanjing,
Anqing, and Chongqing.
the Yangtze River• Dangerous floods have killed millions,
destroying villages and towns in the process.– 1931: 3.7 million died from drowning,
disease or starvation– 1954: 30,000 died and 19 million
became homeless– 1998: 3,000 killed
Three Gorges area• said to be “the cradle of
China’s 4,000 year old civilization”
• records from each dynasty found in area
the Three Gorges Dam• world’s most powerful dam• named for 3 gorges or steep canyons
found in area• location: Hubei province (central China)
– Sandouping, Yichang, Hubei Province • supposed to control floods and provide
hydroelectric power• plans for a dam were thought of 100
years ago
the Three Gorges Dam• Construction began in 1994.• size: 1.4 miles long and 604 feet high• will be completed in 2008
– one year ahead of schedule
• costs start at $22 billion• 25,000 workers are working 24 hours
per day in 3 shifts to complete it.
the Three Gorges Dam• 26 turbines weighing 400 tons each will produce
18,200 megawatts of power equal to 18 nuclear power plantsenough to light up Shanghai on a peak day
with power to spare.• A 370 mile reservoir 525 feet deep will be
created.– length of Lake Superior
• 240,000 acres of cropland will be out of production (50% of all farming takes place in area
the Three Gorges Dam
http://www.threegorgesprobe.org/tgp/panos_page2.html