How did the geography of China impact the Chinese culture over time?
The huge size and mountainous terrain have produced a complex and diverse culture in China.
Check these sites.
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107411.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_culture
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To understand how the geography of China impacted its culture over time, you can start by examining the different geographical features that shaped the development of Chinese civilization.
1. Rivers: The two major rivers in China, the Yellow River (Huang He) and the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang), played a significant role in the development of agriculture, transportation, and trade. The fertile yellow soil deposited by the Yellow River facilitated agricultural production, while the Yangtze River provided a long navigable waterway aiding transportation and trade. The reliance on these rivers led to the formation of agrarian communities along their banks, cultivating a strong agricultural and farming tradition in Chinese culture.
2. Mountains and Plateaus: China's vast and diverse mountain ranges, including the Himalayas, Tian Shan, and Kunlun Mountains, provided natural barriers that protected the region from invasions and encouraged cultural and political isolation. These geographical barriers contributed to the development of a unified Chinese civilization, as they limited interactions with surrounding regions and fostered the formation of a distinct Chinese identity.
3. Deserts and Plains: The Gobi Desert in the north and the Taklamakan Desert in the west acted as physical barriers, preventing easy access to China from Central Asia. These deserts, along with the vast plains of Manchuria and the North China Plain, provided a degree of protection against nomadic invasions. The need for self-sufficiency in agriculture and defense against nomads influenced Chinese culture, leading to the establishment of strong centralized governments, the construction of defensive walls (such as the Great Wall), and a focus on agriculture.
4. Coastlines and Seas: China has an extensive coastline along the East China Sea, the South China Sea, and the Yellow Sea. These coastal regions facilitated maritime trade and cultural exchange with neighboring regions, influencing Chinese culture through the introduction of foreign ideas, technologies, and religions. The coastal areas also played a role in the early development of fishing communities and maritime exploration, contributing to Chinese seafaring traditions.
Overall, the geographical features of China shaped the development and preservation of its cultural identity. The rivers provided fertile land for agriculture, mountains acted as barriers fostering unity, deserts and plains influenced self-reliance and defense strategies, and coastlines facilitated both trade and cultural exchange. These factors, combined with historical events and societal influences, have contributed to the rich and diverse culture observed in China today.