The Geography of China

Objectives: 

1. Locate reference points on a map or globe.

2. Identify the major landforms and bodies of water located in China.

3. Demonstrate their understanding of the physical landscape of China by using a variety of materials to create a physical map of China.

4. Create a travel brochure of China.

Key Words:

• valleys

• deserts

• mountain

• plains

• deltas

• hills

• topography

• climate zones

• vegetation

Timeline:

5-6 hours

Materials:

Microsoft Publisher or Word (brochure template), On-line Resources, color pencils, blank physical map.

Procedures:

1. Inform the students that China is a land of major contrasts with very distinctive physical features.  Using a large physical map of the China show the students the major physical features of China.  Provide students with background information on the significance these features have played in China's isolation from the world.  Explain to students that physical maps illustrate landform regions, vegetation patterns, and climatic zones.  Ask students to describe the physical landscape of China. What is the topography like? What climatic zones cover China? How would you describe the vegetation of China? Record students' responses on the chalkboard so they can be referred to. Tell students that they will create a physical map of China.

2. Hand each student a blank physical map of China.

3. Using the web links below, have the students research the physical landscape of China.  Have the students color in the areas on their blank map which are predominately: plains (dark green), hills (light green), deserts (yellow), mountains (brown), river valleys (blue), and forest (purple).

4. Have the students label the following physical features:  Gobi Desert, Mt. Everest, Gulf of Tonkin, Mekong River, Yellow River, Grand Canal, Himalayan Mountains, Yellow Sea, Yangtze River, Sea of Japan, Great Wall of China, Tian Shan Mountains, East China Sea, and South China Sea.

5.  Once students have completed their physical map of China, inform them that they will now create a travel brochure to one of the major physical features of China.  Visit a local travel agent and request copies of brochures of China to share with students.

6.  Their brochure should including the following information: landmark/major physical features, climate, people, wildlife, points of interest and clipart/pictures that reflect their selected area. (brochure template)

7.  Students may use the web links listed below or conduct a search using:  www.google.com  , www.ajkids.com, www.yahooligans.com

Assessment:

Physical map of China and travel brochure rubric

Extension Activities:

Have the students create a relief map of China, using indigenous dry foods of China.

Have the students prepare a virtual tour of China.

Have the students contact the Chinese Embassy for information and literature to exhibit classroom showcase.

Web Links:

CIA Factbook: http://cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ch.html visit the CIA Factbook on China

China/Changshi: http://china.org.cn/e-changshi/  general facts on China.

About China: http://geography.about.com/library/blank/blxchina.htm blank printable map of China.

Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection: http://lib.utexas.edu/Libs/PCL/Map%5Fcollection/china.html

China.org China.org: http://china.org.cn/ general information site on China.

Brigham Young University/History of China: http://fhss.byu.edu/history/faculty/farmer/courses/340/map001.html physical map of China.