Geography Challenge: China

1. Japan, Philippines, and Indonesia became important Chinese trading partners.

2. Travel in these areas would be difficult because of climate (weather), mountainous terrain (rocky mountains), and altitude (high mountains).

3. The rivers could be used for fishing and transportation, and they supplied water for farming.

4. Oasis provided water for travelers.  Camels were used as pack animals.  Military posts provided protection from bandits.

5. The compass allowed the Chinese to travel at times when the sun and the stars are not visible.

The Himalayan Mountains from Space

Night-Iime Satellite Imaging from Space 

6. India is separated from China by the Himalayas.  North Korea and South Korea are on the peninsula northeast.

7. China is the second largest country in Asia.  Governing it might be difficult because of its size and becasue mountains and deserts separate different areas of the country.

8. Mongolia is the country north of China that is nearest the Huang He.  People living here might have wanted to raid the farms near the river or to control the river.