East Asia is a geographically designated region of Asia, which includes China, North Korea, Taiwan, the Republic of Korea, and Japan. These countries are united for a reason, and China has greatly influenced their development. Even now, the Chinese language in the territory of these states is considered a kind of Latin alphabet. But more on this later, but for now it’s worth considering the features of each country and the general characteristics of this geographical region.
Avoid Misunderstanding
Researchers identify countries in East Asia such as Japan, China, Taiwan, North and South Korea, as well as Macau and Hong Kong. As for the last two, people unaware of this topic have many questions. Especially if a person in a movie heard that Hong Kong is in China.
Macau and Hong Kong are special administrative regions of China. For a sufficiently long time, they developed separately from the PRC. For example, Macau was originally a Portuguese colony, and only on December 20, 1999, after the complete elimination of colonization, joined China.
Hong Kong has a slightly different story. In 1860, after the defeat of China in the Second Opium War, these territories were transferred to Great Britain. According to the first documents, perpetual possession. But after 38 years, namely in 1898, China signed an agreement with Great Britain, according to which, the latter takes Hong Kong for 99 years. According to documents, Hong Kong was returned to China on December 19, 1984, but officially it joined China only in 1997.
So Macau and Hong Kong can be considered as separate administrative regions, or their numerical characteristics can be added to the quantitative data of China, after all, now they are one country.
general characteristics
The countries of East Asia are in the Asia-Pacific region and occupy the 4th part of Asia. All countries are maritime states, they are located at the intersection of sea routes, which contributes to the dynamic development of the economy. And, perhaps, this is where their similarity ends. The states of East Asia are different in area, state system and level of economic development.
For example, Japan is considered an economically developed country with a market economy and is part of the Big Seven. China has a large density and population, has a centralized economy, North Korea (DPRK) is a socialist state, and South Korea is a typical country of new industrialization. Only Taiwan has a special position, since the world community has not actually recognized it. In 1971, the country was expelled from the UN, since the legitimate authority of China was recognized on the island, although the state considers itself a separate administrative unit.
Nature and economic and geographical location
If we talk about East Asia as a separate region, then first of all it is worth highlighting the features of the economic and geographical position. The region is located in China and Mongolia, and these are the shortest land routes to Europe from the shores of the Pacific Ocean. There is a very favorable sea position, which is due not only to the presence of important sea routes, but also to the presence of ice-free seas. This allows you to go out into the waters of the Pacific Ocean year-round, and yet it accounts for the 4th part of all sea transportation of the planet. Also, the ocean coast is becoming increasingly recreational in importance every year.
East Asia accounts for 8% of the land, the natural conditions of this region are quite diverse. In the west is the highest highlands of the globe - Tibet, its area is 2 million km 2 . Some internal ridges of the highlands reach a height of 7000 m above sea level. At heights from 4000 m to 5000 m, intermountain plains are located. It is cool even in summer, with a maximum temperature of 15 ° C. In general, Tibet can be characterized as a cold high mountain desert, in addition, high seismic and volcanic activity is recorded here, and earthquakes often occur in the area of young mountains.
On the islands of Japan, there are 150 volcanoes, 60 of which are active. In general, one noticeable earthquake occurs every three days. The most seismologically unsafe region is located near Tokyo Bay. And since seismic activity can be traced under the water of the coast, East Asian states often suffer from tsunamis.
In the eastern part of the region are low mountains that alternate with plains. The largest of these is the Great Plain of China. It has a flat surface and its height is approximately 100 meters. There are also low plains here, but their main part is located on the Korean peninsula.
East Asia is located immediately in three climatic zones - temperate, subtropical and subequatorial. In summer, monsoon air flows move from the ocean to land, in winter they circulate exactly the opposite. In summer, the wind brings precipitation, which decreases from south to north. So, in the southeastern region up to 2000 mm of rainfall can occur in a season, and in the northeastern they never exceed 800 mm. In the monsoon zone, dry spring and autumn, therefore, artificial irrigation is widely used in this part of the region. The island and continental parts of the region have a dense river system, which is not observed in the west.
Natural resources
The East Asian region is rich in mineral resources. Naturally, their main part is in China. In general, the region is rich in reserves of coal, which is present in all countries, brown coal (the main deposit is northeast of the DPRK), oil (offshore) and oil shale (China). As for Japan and North Korea, in the territories of these countries few deposits are used on an industrial scale, some of them are not even considered in this regard. But with all this, North Korea boasts large reserves of metals, which cannot be said about Japan, which is poor in industrial metals.
Freshwater sources are lakes in Japan, China and South Korea. Lands suitable for farming are considered scarce, in particular, this applies to Japan. The third part of its banks is bulk or alluvial. Also, the region cannot boast of rich forest resources, only 40% of the territory is covered by forests.
East Asian language
Countries on the East Asian list speak different languages, but it all started with a single Chinese classical language, which was used in literature. For example, consider the formation of the Japanese language. The main part of the characters is borrowed from the Chinese language. When the influence of China weakened, the country decided to create its own language, so the ABC of Kana appeared. However, remained unchanged kanji - Chinese characters. Over time, each character received a double meaning and reading: Japanese and Chinese. Of course, the number of Chinese characters that are currently used in Japan is much less than the amount used in China, but the influence of Chinese culture is still felt.
The language was formed in Taiwan in accordance with the same principle, but in Korea a system of hieroglyphs was formed that was completely different from the Chinese, although researchers believe that it was Chinese that was the prototype of Korean. Simply put, all these languages have a common, Chinese origin. Otherwise, how to explain the fact that the inhabitants of these countries easily learn the languages of the East Asian region, and they have serious problems with the study of European ones.
East Asian population
This region is considered the most populated in the world. According to the latest statistical reports, 1 billion 440 million people live in East Asia, that is 24% of the world's population. In China, the problems of overpopulation and large families are relevant, therefore, unlike other countries, the demographic policy here is aimed at reducing the birth rate. How is it shown:
- "One family - one child." For urban residents, a one-child family is a prerequisite, however, this condition does not apply to families of national minorities.
- Single-child families are supported nationally. They are paid cash bonuses, subsidies, medical insurance, help with housing, etc.
- Families with two children do not receive food stamps and pay 10% tax on earned income.
- Active promotion of late marriage.
- Women are free to have abortions.
In general, the region has the same ratio of men and women (50.1% and 49.9%, respectively). Among the population of East Asia, 24% are children under 14 years old, 68% are people from 15 to 64 years old and 8% are older people. The overwhelming majority of the population belongs to the Mongoloid race. In the south of China and Japan, you can find a mixed racial type, in which there are traits of the Mongoloids and Australoids. The Ainu are also found among the population of East Asian countries, their usual place of residence is Japan. These are aborigines belonging to a separate racial group of Australoids.
As for the peoples of East Asia, the ethnic composition here is heterogeneous. It is represented by such families as:
- Sino-Tibetan. The Chinese group includes Chinese and Muslim Chinese. By Tibetan - the peoples of Yizu and Tibetans.
- Altai family. It consists of a Mongolian group (Mongols of China), Manchus (live in eastern China), Turks (Uyghurs, Kyrgyz, Kazakhs).
- Japanese and Koreans are separate families.
- Ainu - the natives of Hokkaido (Japan).
- Austronesian family. These are the indigenous people of Taiwan - Khaoshan.
- Thai and Austro-Asian family.
Religious composition and density of the region
Religion of East Asia is presented by the most various directions. First of all, it is a Confucian culture that was formed in China in the 5th century BC. After some time, Buddhism penetrated into the region from India, which is still being preached today. But meanwhile, local religions, such as Taoism and Shinto, retain their significance. Also in northern China, some residents are Sunni Muslims, but this group is not very extensive.
Population density in East Asia is uneven. The most densely populated countries are Japan and Korea - 300-400 people per km 2 . Although China suffers from overpopulation, the country's inhabitants are distributed unevenly across the territory: 90% of the inhabitants live in the east of the country and occupy its third part. Here, the population density is 130 people per km 2 (if we average the value), and if we consider Tibet, then 1 person per km 2 lives there. In general, the density of East Asia is largely dependent on urbanization processes.
The region also has a large number of labor resources. About 810 people of working age live here.
China
The history of East Asia is directly related to the history of China, the most ancient civilization of the planet. Today, China is known worldwide for the mass production of goods. On almost every third product in the store you can find the meaningful inscription "made in China". The language of this country is considered the most ancient, and it is still used, and some sights of China appeared in the VI century BC.
The country is famous not only for its ancient origin, but also for the many know-how that came into everyday use of mankind many centuries ago. Thanks to the Chinese, things like compass, paper, gunpowder and typography have appeared in the world. Some researchers claim that it was China that became the birthplace of football, since this game was played here a thousand years BC. e.
The Chinese are proud of their past, even today, millennia-old traditions are handed down from generation to generation. In China, many things were known before the countdown, while in Europe they appeared through trial and error, around the 16th-17th centuries. In 25 BC a suspension bridge was built for the first time in the country, ahead of the rest of the world by exactly 1300 years.
An earthquake monitoring device, a mechanical watch, a metal plow, the use of gas to heat homes, ceremonial tea parties, and much more were created in China long before the rest of the world took the path of the industrial revolution. Perhaps we would have lived in a fully mechanized world if the Chinese had once shared their achievements with other, younger states. But since they believed that unconscious barbarians lived around the borders of their territory, they carefully guarded their achievements from prying eyes.
Japan
The Land of the Rising Sun is the birthplace of summer festivals, sakura and the global conglomerate of the anime industry. This state consists of 6,000 islands. Japan has the highest standard of living and the lowest mortality rate. It is part of the G7, and it is the only country in the world against which nuclear weapons have been used.
The state is governed by the emperor, and, most interestingly, the imperial family was not interrupted from the beginning of the founding of the country.
There is no central heating in the houses, people do not go on an invitation-free basis, and foreigners are extremely wary. For a long time, Japan was closed from the steel world. She seemed to be boiling in her own juice, at times adopting the useful undertakings of China and other neighboring countries.
Due to the high seismic activity in Japan, a peculiar technology of building houses has formed - light sliding “doors”, that's all the walls. Although such houses fall like house of cards as a result of strong earthquakes, they are easy, fast and not expensive to restore.
The traditional Japanese religion is Shintoism, it did not disappear even after Buddhism spread throughout the country . In Japan , a unique symbiosis of religions has formed - they do not crowd out each other, but rather complement each other.
There are many world-famous factories, concerns and conglomerates. Often, several production lines develop in factories. If the demand for one product falls, they will immediately launch the one for which the demand has grown. A person’s life in this country depends on his work, there is no free education, and people say what they think and do not like to be alone.
South and North Korea
The Republic of Korea is surprising in that it was able to overtake many countries in development, while not having any resources. They simply relied on intelligence, and did not lose. According to official figures, South Korea has the highest IQ. Scientists from Korea are recognized as the world's leading experts in mathematics and IT-technologies. The country has the most complex and developed IT infrastructure in the world. South Korea is also one of the five countries - the largest automakers, in addition, it is considered the largest shipbuilder in the world.
Still in the country, an electronic training system is practiced. Students and students do not need to talk a lot about the benefits of education, they know firsthand how important it is to have a good store of knowledge, and learn almost around the clock. Civilization reached almost everywhere, even in the most provincial villages. You can often find an old temple adjacent to a modern business center with a small garden around. Koreans are extremely respectful of nature and historical sites. The country has a high standard of living (slightly lower than in Japan).
In contrast to South Korea, North Korea is also included in the list of East Asian countries. Although these two countries are located on the same peninsula, they are diametrical opposites of each other (South Korea is pictured on the right and North is on the left). Behind the barbed wall, where the industrial society of the Republic of Korea ends, is a completely different world from which people are trying to escape.
North Korea is a socialist country, but time seemed to stop here more than half a century ago. It was founded in 1948, the main authority is the Labor Party of Korea. After the new amendments to the economy were adopted, a default began in the country. During the crisis, annually more than two thousand residents emigrated outside the country, but they were caught and punished for this. Hunger was considered a control method in a totalitarian society, Koreans worked almost for food. Only on holidays, which were the birthdays of Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Sung, the residents of the country were given some new clothes, a portion of pork, a kilogram of rice and cookies.
Only in 2006, the economy began to rise slightly, collective farms turned into family-type enterprises. The oil refining, chemical, food and textile industries are actively developing.
Each of the countries of East Asia is unique in its own way. Perhaps they have common historical roots, but each of them developed in its own way, in order to eventually turn into something new and exciting.