Chapter 25, Section 1
(Pages 688–693)
Physical Features
Physical processes shape Earth’s surface. As you read, provide an example,
a location, and a key fact about each type of landform in the chart below.
Landform
Example
Location
Key Fact
Mountain
Plateau
Plain
Archipelago
The Land
(pages 689–690)
Make a sketch to
show the location
of the Plateau of
Tibet in relation to
the Himalaya and
Kunlun Shan.
172
East Asia takes up much of the Asian continent south of
Russia. Most of the landmass is made up of China and Mongolia.
North Korea, South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan are East Asian
countries located on peninsulas or islands.
The Himalaya and Kunlun Shan tower over the western part
of this region. Between these mountains stands the Plateau of
Tibet. Averaging 15,000 feet in height, the plateau is called the
Roof of the World.
The eastern part of this region has lowlands—the North China
Plain and the Manchurian Plain. Narrow lowlands also sweep
along the coasts of the Korean Peninsula and Japan. These fertile
areas are home to most of the people of East Asia.
Mountainous islands curve along the coast of China and the
Korean Peninsula. Japan forms an archipelago, or chain of islands,
in the Pacific Ocean. Taiwan is located off China’s southeastern
coast. Formed by volcanoes, these islands are part of the Pacific
Ring of Fire. They experience many earthquakes and volcanic
eruptions because they sit where tectonic plates meet and move.
Chapter 25, Section 1
Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Landforms of East Asia
The Land
(continued)
Landforms of Southeast Asia
What are the major
landforms of
Southeast Asia?
South of China, Southeast Asia is made up of mainland
peninsulas and thousands of islands. The mainland countries
are Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.
Countries that are partly or entirely islands include Indonesia,
Malaysia, Singapore, East Timor, Brunei, and the Philippines.
Mainland Southeast Asia is crossed by cordilleras, or mountain ranges that run side-by-side. Between the ranges lie fertile
river plains and deltas, where most of the people live. Like East
Asia, the islands of Southeast Asia are part of the Ring of Fire and
experience earthquakes and active volcanoes. In 2004 an earthquake in the Indian Ocean caused a tsunami that swept over
Southeast Asia’s coastal lowlands. More than 300,00 people died.
Seas and Rivers
Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Identify two rivers
in East Asia and
four rivers in
Southeast Asia.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Chapter 25, Section 1
(pages 690–691)
The countries here have long coastlines along the Indian
Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, and many seas. These waterways
influenced the region’s history. For example, as an isolated
island nation, Japan developed a unique culture.
Nearness to water affects the region’s economies as well.
Oceans and seas serve as trade routes. Much of the world’s
shipping traffic travels on the South China Sea and the Strait
of Malacca. The people here also depend on the sea for food.
Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and China have the world’s biggest
deep-sea fishing industries.
East Asia’s major rivers begin in Tibet. The Huang He
(Yellow River) flows across northern China. The river carries
tons of fine, yellow-brown soil called loess. This rich soil and
river water make the North China Plain ideal for growing wheat.
China’s other great river is the Chang Jiang (Yangtze River). It
flows through spectacular gorges, or canyons, and broad plains
before reaching the port city of Shanghai. Half of China’s rice
and grain farmers depend on this river. The Chang Jiang is also
a vital trade route for ships, which can travel far upriver.
Southeast Asia’s major rivers include the Irrawaddy and
Salween in Myanmar, and the Chao Phraya in Thailand. The
Mekong River flows 2,600 miles through five countries on its
way to the South China Sea. Warm temperatures, heavy rains,
and fertile soil make the Mekong region ideal for growing rice.
The river valleys are densely populated.
173
A Wealth of Natural Resources
List this region’s
energy, mineral,
and forest resources.
Wrap -Up
(pages 692–693)
East Asia and Southeast Asia are rich in natural resources.
These resources have helped to develop the region’s economies.
China has large oil deposits in the South China Sea, as well
as rich coal deposits. Other oil-rich countries include Indonesia,
Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Some countries generate hydroelectric power from their swift-flowing rivers. The world’s largest
dam—Three Gorges Dam—is being built on China’s Chang Jiang
to provide hydroelectric power as well as to prevent flooding.
Among the minerals found here are tin, iron ore, chromium,
manganese, nickel, and tungsten. Tungsten is used to make lightbulbs and rockets. Gems and pearls also are plentiful in the region.
Forests provide valuable woods. Teak is harvested in
Myanmar, Indonesia, and Thailand. Teak is a type of wood
that is used to make buildings and ships because it is strong
and durable. Mahogany from the Philippines is used for wall
paneling and high-quality furniture.
Answer these questions to check your understanding of the entire
section.
1. Identifying In what geographic areas do most of the people of East
Asia and Southeast Asia live? Why?
Descri pt
ptive
174
On a separate sheet of paper, write a paragraph describing the
relative location of the countries of East Asia and Southeast Asia.
Chapter 25, Section 1
Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
2. Analyzing How have the economies of East Asia and Southeast Asia
been affected by waterways?