This document provides an overview of Chinese history from prehistoric times through the Zhou Dynasty. It describes early humans in China like Peking Man from 750,000-500,000 BCE. The Yellow River Valley is identified as the cradle of Chinese civilization starting around 3000 BCE. Important early dynasties discussed include the Xia Dynasty founded by Yu the Great in 2205 BCE, the Shang Dynasty from 1766-1027 BCE known for oracle bones, and the Zhou Dynasty from 1027-256 BCE which overthrew the Shang and is divided into Western and Eastern periods. Key aspects of Chinese culture such as writing, philosophy, religion, and art developed over this long period.

1. The Geography of China M r. R e y B e l e n

2. Satellite View of China

3. China’s Provinces

4. China—Asia’s Superpower

6. Comparing China & the U. S. China United States Size 3.7 million square miles 3.6 million square miles Main physical barrier Himalayas Rockies Main River Yangtze / East - West Mississippi / North – South Population East Coast East Coast Connectivity problems North - South East - West

7. Countries & Regions Tibet Mongolia Southeast Asia Indian Subcontinent Russia N. Korea S> Korea Taiwan Philippines

8. Cities BEIJING Harbin Nanjing Guangzhou Xi’an Shanghai Taipei Lhasa Hong Kong Macao

9. Completed Political Map BEIJING Harbin Nanjing Guangzhou Xi’an Shanghai Taipei Lhasa Hong Kong Macao Tibet Mongolia Southeast Asia Indian Subcontinent N. Korea S> Korea Taiwan Philippines

10. Topography

11. China’s Topography

12. Percentages of Different Landforms

13. Pacific “Rim of Fire”

14. Bodies of Water Huang-He River Yellow Sea Yangtze River Pacific Ocean Amur River Xi River South China Sea Sea of Japan

15. The Yangtze River

16. Mountains & Peaks Tian Shan Altai Mts. Greater Khingan Kunlun Shan Himalayan Mts.

17. The Great Wall of China

18. Deserts & Plateaus Tibetan Plateau Taklamakan Desert Gobi Desert

19. Valleys / Plains / Basins Manchurian Plain North China Plain Tarim Basin Sichuan Basin

20. North China Plain

21. Agricultural Regions in China Shabdong Peninsula Grand Canal Great Wall CHUNG KUO

22. Completed Topographic Map Huang-He River Yellow Sea Yangtze River Pacific Ocean Amur River Xi River South China Sea Sea of Japan Tian Shan Altai Mts. Greater Khingan Kunlun Shan Himalayan Mts. Tibetan Plateau Taklamakan Desert Gobi Desert Manchurian Plain North China Plain Tarim Basin Sichuan Basin Shabdong Peninsula Grand Canal Great Wall CHUNG KUO

23. South China

24. China as % of World Population

25. Top 10 Populated Nations 2001 2050

26. The Population of China thousands

27. Population Projections thousands

28. Population Density

29. Male/Female Birth Population

30. Life Expectancy at Birth by Sex

31. "Economic Juggernaut"

32. Monthly Value of Imports & Exports 2004

33. Ancient China Mr. Rey Belen SR-AS

34. “ Peking Man” (750,000 – 500,000 BCE) Sinanthropus pekinesis

36. Yellow River Civilization

38. Neolithic Pottery 3000 BCE to 2000 BCE

39. The 4 Old-World River Valley Cultures

40. Pan-Gu: Mythical Creator of the Universe

43. “ Chung Kuo” ( The “Middle Kingdom” )

45. Hsia Dynasty 2205-1027 BCE

46. Yu, the Great – Founder of the Hsia

50. Hsia Plaque, 1700 BCE

51. Shang Dynasty 1766-1027 BCE

52. Bronze Age Empires

53. Shang: 1523-1028 BCE

56. Oracle Bones

57. Oracle Bones Calendar

58. The Evolution of Chinese Writing during the Shang Pictographs Semantic-Phonetics

61. Axe Scepter – 1100 BCE - jade Ceremonial Dagger – 1028 BCE

62. Shang Urn

63. Shang Bronzes

64. Ritual Wine Vessel – bronze, 13c BCE

65. Zhou Dynasty 1027 - 256 BCE

67. Western Zhou: 1027-771 BCE

69. Eastern Zhou: 771-256 BCE

71. Ritual Food Vessel, bronze 11c BCE (Western Zhou)

72. Pendant of a Dancer - jade 3c BCE (Eastern Zhou)

73. Ritual Wine Vessel – 4c bronze, silver, gold, copper

74. Zhou Coins - bronze

77. The Dynastic Cycle A new dynasty comes to power. Lives of common people improved; taxes reduced; farming encouraged. Problems begin (extensive wars, invasions, etc.) Taxes increase; men forced to work for army. Farming neglected. Govt. increases spending; corruption. Droughts, floods, famines occur. Poor lose respect for govt. They join rebels & attack landlords. Rebel bands find strong leader who unites them. Attack the emperor. Emperor is defeated !! The emperor reforms the govt. & makes it more efficient. Start here 