Notes

1.What are three things that helped India turn their economy around?
(foreign investors, international aid, and foreign companies)
2.Which of the following countries gained its independence first? (India)
3.The Silk Road helped make this nation prosperous at one time. (China)
4.Peace between south Korea and north Korea would end more than fifty years of hostilities.

arable land that is suitable for farming
autonomous sovereign or self-governing nation
burgeoning rapidly growing or expanding
degradation the wearing-down or destruction of natural resources
demilitarized an area between two nations where no military activity is allowed
encroachment to gradually expand or intrude into a region or person's property
evangelize an attempt to convert people to a particular religion
habitat the surroundings or environment of humans and animals
potable water that is pure or clean enough to drink
seclusion to be in a state of isolation from others
secular non-religious viewpoint; not spiritual in nature

Central Asia
Central Asia is located between Russia (north), China (east), the Middle East (south), and Europe (west). It consists of the following nations:

Turkmenistan;
Uzbekistan;
Kazakhstan;
Kyrgyzstan;
Tajikistan.
The main geographical features found in this region include:

Turkmenistan: Garagum Desert, Amu Darya River;
Uzbekistan: Qizigum Desert, Tian Shan mountain range, Amu Darya River, Aral Sea;
Kazakhstan: Tian Shan mountain range, Aral Sea, Caspian Sea;
Kyrgyzstan: Tian Shan and Pamir mountain ranges;
Tajikistan: Alay and Pamir mountain ranges, Fedchenko Glacier, Amu Darya River.
South Asia
The area known as South Asia consists of seven nations with varying geographical features and natural resources. The primary ones include:

India:
Deccan Plateau;
Thar Desert;
Indo-Gangetic Plain;
Ganges River;
Himalayas;
Natural resources: coal, agriculture, iron ore, oil, and natural gas.
Pakistan:
Baluchistan Plateau;
Indus Plain;
Tharparker Desert;
Khyber Pass;
Natural resources: natural gas, oil, salt, and coal.
Bangladesh:
Ganges River;
Brahmaputra River;
Sundarbans (one of the world's largest mangrove forests);
Natural resources: agriculture.
Sri Lanka:
Pidurutalagala Mountain;
Natural resources: rice, sugarcane, and tea.
Maldives:
Made up of nearly 1,200 islands;
Natural resources: many coral reefs.
Nepal:
Himalayas, including Mount Everest;
Terai Plain;
Natural resources: some agriculture.
Bhutan:
Himalayas;
Natural resources: few to none.
Most of this region is subjected to massive typhoons, which result in terrible flooding. Despite the abundance of rivers, many areas do not have enough potable water for people to remain healthy.

Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia is composed of eleven nations. Due to their location, most have nearly identical similarities in climate, geography, and natural resources. Some of these characteristics include:

tropical climate: all of them;
location along the Pacific Ring of Fire: Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei;
susceptible to earthquakes and volcanoes: Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia;
typhoons: nearly all of them;
significant mountain ranges: all but Brunei, Singapore, and Timor-Leste;
heavily forested land: nearly every country.
Some nations, like the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia, are composed of many islands. Others such as Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Singapore are landlocked.

Southeast Asia has an abundance of natural resources throughout the region. Timber is the most prevalent, although the area is rapidly facing deforestation. Malaysia has an abundance of rubber and oil palms, the latter of which is used to manufacture biodiesel. Natural gas and oil deposits have been discovered in the past couple of decades throughout Southeast Asia, offering a promise of better economic conditions as they are used. As can be expected, fishing and rice are the two principal food sources to feed the burgeoning population in the region.

East Asia
East Asia is home to numerous major geographical features, as can be seen by studying the following nations:

China:
Yangtze and Yellow Rivers;
Three Gorges Dam;
Tibetan Plateau;
Himalaya and Tian Shan mountain ranges;
Gobi Desert;
natural resources: iron ore, oil, natural gas, tungsten, and agriculture.


Japan:
located along the Pacific Ring of Fire;
four main islands of Kyushu, Shikoku, Honshu, and Hokkaido;
Mount Fuji;
surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, Sea of Japan, and Philippine Sea;
natural resources: rice and fishing.


South Korea:
separated from North Korea by demilitarized zone (DMZ) located at the 38th parallel;
Byeongtaek and Han River plains;
Natural resources: few, agriculture, fishing.


North Korea:
Yalu River;
Baekdu Mountain;
Natural resources: few to none.


Taiwan:
Jade Mountain;
Natural resources: precious metals, timber, coal, rice, fish.
Human Geography

Central Asia
This region of the world has been the scene of many empires. The Persians, Greeks, Mongols, and Russians have conquered these lands, usually on their way to other conquests. As a result, there is a mixture of heritages intermingled throughout. The last of these conquerors, the Soviet Union, utilized these nations as both a border and for agriculture. When the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, they became autonomous and have remained that way ever since.

Kazakhstan has achieved the greatest economic success since acquiring independence. There are vast agricultural possibilities and rich uranium, oil, gas, coal, and iron ore deposits.

South Asia
Much of South Asia's history is dominated by the Indian subcontinent. There, four of the great civilizations thrived; the Indus Valley (2700–1800 B.C.), Maurya (321–185 B.C.), Gupta Dynasty (320 B.C.–A.D. 550), and Mughal (1526–1857). During these centuries, the Persians, Greeks, and Huns invaded via the Khyber Pass region. Despite these intrusions, the people of India were able to maintain their identity. Along the way, they made important discoveries in the areas of science, astronomy, medicine, mathematics, and religion.

Foreign colonization, mainly by the British, resulted in a period of turmoil eventually leading up to India and Pakistan's independence in 1947. Bangladesh broke away from Pakistan in 1971. India remained a Hindu nation, while Pakistan and Bangladesh are Muslim.

India and Bangladesh struggle with severe overpopulation, poor farming methods despite vast amounts of arable land, and numerous natural disasters such as typhoons and floods. Pakistan struggles with combining a secular state with the beliefs of Islam, limited amounts of water, and few natural resources.

Southeast Asia
For much of this region, history from A.D. 1600 is a story of trade and colonization. European traders appeared first, followed by the military and colonists. Few Southeast Asia countries would remain free heading into the twentieth century. Indonesia became a Dutch colony late in the sixteenth century and remained that way up to World War II. The Philippines were colonized and evangelized by the Spanish for three hundred years. The United States gained the islands as protectorates after the Spanish-American War in 1898. It too fell to the Japanese during World War II. Malaysia was dominated by the Chinese until the war and Vietnam by the French.

Nearly all of these nations were granted their independence shortly after World War II and have struggled with a variety of problems since. Paramount is the need to take care of an ever-growing population with limited natural resources and land.

East Asia
East Asia is home to some of the world's greatest civilizations. China is ground zero for the invention of paper, gunpowder, printing, and the compass and includes such dynasties as:

Shang (1600–1050 B.C.);
Han (206 B.C.–A.D. 220);
Song (960–1279);
Ming (1368–1644);
Qing (1644–1911).
Japanese history is also rich in tradition and beauty. Some of her most influential periods include:

Kofun (250–540);
Heian (795–1185)—the world's oldest surviving novel was written during this time;
Kamakura (1185–1333)—the mighty kamikazes destroyed the Mongol fleets in this era;
Edo (1603–1868)—Japan was brought out of seclusion by Commodore Perry;
Meiji Restoration (1868–1912).
Situated between China and Japan, the nation of Korea has often been the scene of conflict. Despite this, it has managed to maintain its own identity, language, and culture. At the end of World War II, Korea was split into two nations. North Korea became a protectorate of the Soviet Union and South Korea became one under the United States. A demilitarized zone (DMZ) was established between the two at the 38th parallel.

Uses of Geography

Central Asia
The biggest concern in this area is the drying-up of the Aral Sea. The Soviet Union had decided to make the lands around this inland sea a vast agricultural zone. In doing so, they began diverting large amounts of the Amu Darya River to water fields. As the agricultural sector grew, more and more water was taken from the river. This resulted in the Aral Sea drying up. Today, the Aral Sea is only a quarter of its original size.

The overuse of valuable water has resulted in the desertification of the entire region. Added to this is the poor use of chemicals and pesticides, which has contaminated much of the water people use to survive. Ineffective government has done little to alleviate the problem as the Aral Sea continues to dwindle in size.

South Asia
Overpopulation has become a major environmental issue for much of South Asia. The nations of India and Bangladesh, in particular, are having to deal with the encroachment of humans into habitats where endangered species live, such as the Bengal tiger. Due to the overuse of water supplies, there is little potable water for many to drink, resulting in disease and sickness. Also, this region is known for its massive typhoons and severe flooding. These natural disasters affect the lives of millions at a time.

Other than India, countries in South Asia have very limited natural resources. Countries such as Maldives have to rely on tourism to secure the necessary funds to meet the needs of the people. Bhutan, a nation located just to the east of India, has virtually no natural resources to draw from and relies heavily on support from India. Pakistan is dealing with limited water supplies and agricultural resources to feed its citizens.

Southeast Asia
The environmental issues facing Southeast Asia are staggering as this region moves into the twenty-first century. Continued population growth is forcing governments to do everything they can to take care of their people. Unfortunately, since many of these areas are islands, there are limited means at their disposal. Consequently, natural resources are being used up at an enormous rate.

Lush forests are being cut down to make room for urban sprawl and agriculture. Slash-and-burn techniques practiced in Indonesia cause haze over neighboring islands. Overfishing is causing the loss of animal life and many coral reefs. In addition, much waste and many toxic pollutants are being dumped into the ocean.

Unfortunately, since most of these island nations are very poor, their governments do little to curb the overuse of natural resources that are needed for trade with other countries.

East Asia
Unlike the nations of Southeast Asia, the countries of China, Japan, and South Korea are taking steps necessary to preserve their natural resources. North Korea is the lone exception to this rule. This is due primarily to a near-total lack of means to address the many issues facing its people.

For China, its major issues revolve around overpopulation and the pollution that it causes. The country's air, land, and water resources are overtaxed. The government has planted millions of trees in an effort to stop the Gobi Desert from growing any further. Overuse has caused many rivers to become polluted, and some have a tendency to dry up during periods of drought.

Both Koreas are dealing with soil degradation, which hampers their ability to sustain agricultural growth.

More than thirty years ago, Japan recognized the need to protect its natural resources. As a result, the government rigidly controls industry and mining in an effort to protect the environment.

In conclusion, areas of land, air, and water have the natural ability to clean themselves up when given the opportunity to do so. The difficulty in some nations doing what is necessary to create a healthy environment stems from their lack of natural resources and an ever-growing population. Steps are being taken worldwide to alleviate some of these issues.

http://www.cram.com/flashcards/unit-11-central-south-east-and-southeast-asia-3200008

http://quizlet.com/12783282/unit-11-central-south-east-and-southeast-asia-flash-cards/