Understanding the Geography of China

An Assemblage of Pieces

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Just as the physical environment shape human societies, human settlements have changed the natural landscape. Photo: mote/flickr.

The Loess Plateau
Physical characteristics: The overwhelming distinctive characteristic
of the Loess Plateau is the wind-blown alluvium (dust) that has
accumulated to depths of over 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) in some places
and is known as loess. While loess is rich in calcium and thus fertile,
the overall aridity of the region coupled with the fact that loess does
not hold water makes traditional methods of irrigation and farming
useless. Environmental conditions, including highly variable rainfall
(when it does occur), means that farmers seldom expect to harvest more
than two crops every three years.

History: Two cultural patterns resulted from the physical environment
and location of the Loess Plateau. One was human poverty and isolated
communities; the other a dependency upon trade with nomadic peoples and
the empires beyond the Great Wall. Economically the Loess Plateau has
been dominated by trade and commercial cities that have flourished and
died as routes and the direction of trade have shifted. It has never
been a strong food-producing region.

Economic activities and resources today: As in the past, key cities in
the Loess Plateau are those that facilitate trade and transport to and
from eastern China and the North China Plain. Cities such as Xi'an and
Lanzhou are trade hubs stemming from a reinvigorated economy in
Xinjiang and the former Soviet countries of central Asia. Today,
however, oil has replaced silk as the major economic commodity. Oil is
a major resource in Gansu, Xinjiang, and the contiguous country of
Kazakhstan.

Housing: caves carved into the loess cliffs and mud-brick houses in rural areas, apartments in urban areas
Social organization: nuclear families
Transportation: walking, mule, and horse in rural areas; cars, buses, and bicycles in urban areas
Food staples: wheat-noodles and sour cabbage

The Southeast Coast and Shanghai
Physical characteristics: This region shares the entire Yangzi Valley's
dominant characteristics of water, wetlands, and hot and humid summers.
However, the influence of the Pacific Ocean as well as access thereto
make the area distinctive. The ocean's warm current creates milder
winter temperatures than in the interior. In addition the nearby
mountains (Huangshan and Wuyi) are favorable for crops other than
aquaculture (rice, shrimp, ducks, and so on), which is prominent in the
lowlands. Mild climates and abundant rainfall mean farmers in this area
generally expect to obtain three or more crops every year. Some form of
food, whether from land or sea, is always abundant and in surplus.

History: This was the first region to feel the impact of the West
through the Opium War and "Treaty Ports" of the eighteenth century. It
has had the greatest number of Christian missionaries, Chinese
Christians, and Christian churches in China. Like so many of China's
distinct physical environments, it is dominated by ethnic peoples not
fully identifiable as "Han," who speak distinct languages and often
have closer ties to Chinese overseas.

Economic activities and resources today: Shanghai is the major city of
this region. Located at the mouth of the Yangzi, it is a thriving port
and a center for steel, telecommunications, automobiles, power
production equipment, petrochemicals and electric appliances. Having a
strong service industry, the city is also focused on finance and
insurance, commerce, real estate, tourism, and information. On the
coast fishing and shipping are important industries. Other cities along
the coast also have been designated "special economic zones." In the
interior regions rice is an important cash crop, except in the
mountainous areas, where fishing and forestry take place. Other
specialty crops, such as tea and citrus fruits, are grown, but the
coast is subject to typhoons.

Housing: plaster or brick to offset rain in rural areas, apartment buildings in urban areas
Social organization: class, family, or business compounds
Transportation: boats and ships on rivers and canals, cars, buses, and bicycles
Food staples: rice, seafood, and tropical fruits