Abstract: Foreign Asia. Presentation on the topic: Overseas Asia Message on the topic of Overseas Asia overview

Table 10 - Demographic and socio-economic indicators of the world, Foreign Asia

Indicators	The whole world	Zarub. Asia	China	India	Japan
Area, thousand km 2	132850	27710	9597	3288	372
Population in 1998, million people	5930	3457,6	1255,1	975,8	125,9
Birth rate, ‰	24	24	17	29	10
Mortality, ‰	9	8	7	10	7
natural increase	15	16	10	19	3
Life expectancy, m/f	63/68	65/68	68/72	62/63	77/83
Age structure, under 16 / over 65	62/6	33/5	27/6	36/4	16/14
Share of urban population in 1995, %	45	35	30	27	78
GDP per capita in 1995, $	6050	3950	2920	1400	22110

General economic and geographical characteristics of Asia

Foreign Asia is the largest region in the world in terms of area and population, and it retains this primacy, in essence, throughout the entire existence of human civilization. The area of Foreign Asia is 27 million km2, it includes more than 40 sovereign states. Many of them are among the oldest in the world. Foreign Asia is one of the origins of mankind, the birthplace of agriculture, artificial irrigation, cities, many cultural values and scientific achievements. The region mainly consists of developing countries.

Geographical position. general review

The region consists of countries of various sizes: two of them are giant countries, the rest are mostly fairly major countries. The boundaries between them pass along well-defined natural boundaries. The EGP of Asian countries is determined by their neighboring position, the coastal position of most countries, and the deep position of some countries. The first two features have a beneficial effect on their economy, and the third makes it difficult for external economic relations. The political structure of countries is very diverse: Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Nepal, Bhutan, Jordan are constitutional monarchies, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Brunei, Oman are absolute monarchies, the rest of the states are republics.

Natural conditions and resources

The area is extremely homogeneous in terms of tectonic structure and relief: within its boundaries, the greatest amplitude of heights on earth is noted, both ancient Precambrian platforms and areas of young Cenozoic folding, grandiose mountainous countries and vast plains are located here. Consequently mineral resources Asia is very diverse. The main pools of coal, iron and manganese ores, and non-metallic minerals are concentrated within the Chinese and Hindustan platforms. Ores predominate within the Alpine-Himalayan and Pacific fold belts. But the main wealth of the region, which also determines its role in the MGRT, is oil. Oil and gas reserves have been explored in most countries of Southwest Asia, but the main deposits are in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, and Iran. The agro-climatic resources of Asia are heterogeneous. Vast massifs of mountainous countries, deserts and semi-deserts are of little use for economic activity, with the exception of animal husbandry; the provision of arable land is low and continues to decline (as the population grows and soil erosion increases).

Population

The population of Asia is 3.1 billion people. All countries of the region, with the exception of Japan, belong to the 2nd type of population reproduction, and now they are in a state of so-called " population explosion". Some countries are fighting this phenomenon by pursuing a population policy (India, China), but most countries do not pursue such a policy, rapid population growth and rejuvenation continue. At the current population growth rate, it can double in 30 years. Among the subregions of East Asia Asia is farthest away from the peak of the population explosion. Ethnic composition The Asian population is also extremely complex: more than 1 thousand peoples live here - from small ethnic groups numbering several hundred people to the largest peoples in the world. The four peoples of the region (Chinese, Hindustanis, Bengalis and Japanese) make up over 100 million each. The peoples of Asia belong to about 15 language families. There is no such linguistic diversity in any other large region of the planet. The most complex countries in ethnolinguistic terms: India, Sri Lanka, Cyprus. In East and Southwest Asia, with the exception of Iran and Afghanistan, a more homogeneous National composition. The complex composition of the population in many parts of the region (India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Iraq, Turkey, etc.) leads to acute ethnic conflicts. Foreign Asia is the birthplace of all major religions, all three world religions were born here: Christianity, Buddhism, and Islam. Among other national religions it is necessary to note Confucianism (China), Taoism, Shintoism. In many countries, interethnic contradictions are based precisely on religious grounds. The population of foreign Asia is distributed unevenly: the population density ranges from 1 to 800 people. per 1 km 2. In some areas it reaches 2000 people. per 1 km 2 The growth rate of the urban population in the region is so high (3.3%) that this growth has become known as the "urban explosion". But, despite this, in terms of the level of urbanization (34%), Foreign Asia is in the penultimate place among the regions of the world. For rural settlement, the rural form is most characteristic.

economy

The role of foreign Asia as a whole in the world economy has increased significantly in recent decades. But the differences in the levels of development and specialization of individual countries are better expressed here than in foreign Europe.

There are 6 groups of countries:

1. Japan - occupies a separate position, as it is the "power No. 2" of the Western world, the only member of the "Big Seven" in this region. For many important indicators occupies a leading position among the economically developed countries of the West;

2. China and India - also made great strides in economic and social development for a short time. But in terms of per capita indicators, their successes are still small;

3. new industrial countries of Asia - the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore, as well as Thailand and Malaysia, members of ASEAN. The combination of a profitable EGP and cheap labor resources made it possible, with the participation of Western TNCs, to carry out in the 70-80s. restructuring the economy along the lines of Japan. But their economy is export-oriented;

4. oil-producing countries - Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and other countries of the Persian Gulf, which, thanks to "petrodollars", in a short time managed to go through a path of development that would have taken them several centuries. Now not only oil production is developing here, but also petrochemistry, metallurgy and other industries;

5. countries with a predominance in the industrial structure of mining or light industry - Mongolia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Jordan.

Agriculture

In most Asian countries, the bulk of EAN is occupied in agriculture. In general, the region is characterized by a combination of commodity and consumer economy, landownership and peasant land use, a sharp predominance of food crops in the crops. The food problem in many countries has not yet been resolved; in South and Southeast Asia, tens of millions of people are on the verge of starvation. In accordance with the distribution of agro-climatic resources, population and traditions, 3 large areas of agriculture have developed: a rice-growing area (covers the monsoon sector of East, Southeast and South Asia) combined with tea cultivation high parts; area of subtropical agriculture (Mediterranean coast); the rest of the territory is dominated by the cultivation of wheat, millet, pasture animal husbandry.

Ecology

As a result of the low culture of managing the economy, the negative anthropogenic impact in foreign Asia is looming large. As a result of intensive mining without environmental protection measures, extensive agriculture, and an increase in the number of inhabitants, atmospheric pollution, depletion of water resources, soil erosion, land alienation, deforestation, and impoverishment of natural biocenoses occur. Frequent conflicts and wars in the region only exacerbate the situation. For example, the Persian Gulf War led to acid rain, dust storms, massive soot and oil pollution of waters and soils, and caused irreparable damage to the fauna and flora of the region. No less notorious is ecocide during the American aggression in Vietnam, when forests were deliberately destroyed over an area of about 0.5 million km 2 over several years.

China

Territory - 9.6 million km 2. Population - 1 billion 222 million people since 1995. Capital - Beijing.

The People's Republic of China, the third largest state in the world and the first in terms of population, is located in Central and East Asia. The state borders on 16 countries, 1/3 of the borders fall on the CIS countries. The economic and geographical position of the PRC is very favorable, since being located along the Pacific coast (15 thousand km), the country has access to the sea from the most remote inland corners through the Yangtze River. The coastal position of the PRC contributes to the development of its economy and foreign economic relations. China - one of the oldest states in the world, which arose in the XIV century BC, has a very complex history. Due to the obvious benefits of its position, the wealth of natural and agro-climatic resources throughout its existence, China has attracted the attention of various conquerors. Even in ancient times, the country protected itself with the partially preserved Great Wall of China. In the last century, China was a pro-colony of England, after the defeat in the Sino-Japanese war of 1894-1895. The country was divided into spheres of influence between England, France, Germany, Japan and Russia. In 1912, the Republic of China was formed. In 1945, after the defeat of the Japanese invaders with the help of the USSR, the People's Revolution took place. In 1949, the People's Republic of China was proclaimed.

Natural conditions and resources

The country is located within the fragmented Chinese Precambrian platform and younger sites. As part of this, the eastern part is mostly low-lying, and the protected area is elevated and mountainous. Various mineral deposits are associated with a variety of tectonic structures. In terms of their availability, China is one of the leading countries in the world, distinguished primarily by its reserves of coal, non-ferrous and ferrous metal ores, rare earth elements, mining and chemical raw materials. In terms of oil and gas reserves, China is inferior to the leading oil countries world, but in terms of oil production, the country has taken 5th place in the world. The main oil fields are located in North and Northeast China, the basins of inland China. Among the ore deposits, the Anshan iron ore basin, located in the coal-rich Northeast China, stands out. Non-ferrous metal ores are concentrated mainly in the central and southern provinces. The People's Republic of China is located in temperate, subtropical and tropical climatic zones, and in the west the climate is sharply continental, and in the east - monsoonal, with a large amount of precipitation (in summer). Such climatic and soil differences create conditions for the development of agriculture: in the west, in arid regions, livestock breeding and irrigated agriculture are mainly developed, while in the east, on the especially fertile lands of the Great China Plain, agriculture prevails. The water resources of the PRC are very large, the eastern, more populated and highly developed part of the country is best provided with them. River waters are widely used for irrigation. In addition, China ranks first in the world in terms of theoretical hydropower resources, but their use is still very small. forest resources China as a whole are quite large, concentrated mainly in the northeast (taiga coniferous forests) and in the southeast (tropical and subtropical deciduous forests). They are intensively used in the economy.

Population

China is the first country in the world in terms of population (almost 1,300 million people, or 20% of all inhabitants of the Earth), and it has probably held the palm for many centuries. In the 70s, the country began to conduct population policy, aimed at reducing the birth rate, because after the formation of the PRC (in the 50s), due to a decrease in mortality and an increase in living standards, the population growth rate increased very quickly. This policy has borne fruit to this day. natural increase China is even below the world average. China is a young country (under the age of 15 - 1/3 of the population). Differs in the intensity of migration work force both within the country and outside it. The PRC is a multinational country (there are 56 nationalities), but with a sharp predominance of the Chinese - about 95% of the population. They live mainly in the eastern part of the country, in the west (in most of the territory) there are representatives of other nationalities (Gzhuans, Hui, Uighurs, Tibetans, Mongols, Koreans, Manchus, etc.). Despite the fact that the PRC is a socialist country, Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism are practiced here (in general, the population is not very religious). On the territory of the country is the world center of Buddhism - Tibet, occupied by China in 1951. Urbanization is rapidly developing in China.

economy

The People's Republic of China is an industrial-agrarian socialist country developing in Lately at a very fast pace. Modernization of the economy is proceeding at different rates in different regions of China. Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have been set up in East China to take advantage of their advantageous maritime position. This strip occupies 1/4 of the country's territory, 1/3 of the population lives here and 2/3 of GNP is produced. Average income per inhabitant four times more than in the more backward inland provinces. The territorial structure of the country's economy is represented mainly by the established large industrial centers, an important role is played by Agriculture, which employs most of the economically active population (EAP). In terms of GDP, China has taken 2nd place in the world, although in terms of GNP per capita it has not yet reached the world average (about $500 per year).

Energy

China occupies one of the leading places in the world in the production of energy carriers and in the generation of electricity. China's energy is coal-fired (its share in the fuel balance is 75%), oil and gas (mostly artificial) are also used. Most of the electricity is produced by thermal power plants (3/4), mostly coal-fired. Hydroelectric power plants account for 1/4 of the electricity generated. There are two nuclear power plants, 10 tidal stations, and a geothermal station has been built in Lhasa.

Ferrous metallurgy- based on own iron ore, coking coal and alloying metals. In terms of iron ore mining, China ranks 1st in the world, in steel smelting - 2nd place. The technical level of the industry is low. Of greatest importance are such the country's largest combines as in Anshan, Shanghai, Broshen, as well as in Benxi, Beijing, Wuhan, Taiyuan, and Chongqing.

Non-ferrous metallurgy . The country has large reserves of raw materials (1/2 of the produced tin, antimony, mercury is exported), but aluminum, copper, lead, zinc are imported. Mining and processing plants are represented in the north, south and west of China, and the final stages of production are in the east. The main centers of non-ferrous metallurgy are located in the provinces of Liaoning, Yunnan, Hunan, and Gansu.

Mechanical engineering and metalworking- occupies 35% in the structure of the industry. The share of production of equipment for the textile industry remains high, while electronics, electrical engineering, and the automotive industry are developing rapidly. Structure manufacturing enterprises diverse: along with modern high-tech enterprises, handicraft factories are widespread. The leading sub-sectors are heavy engineering, machine tool building, and transport engineering. The automotive industry (6th-7th place in the world), electronics and instrumentation are developing rapidly. The predominant part of China's engineering products is produced by the coastal zone (over 60%), and mainly in major cities(the main centers are Shanghai, Shenyang, Dalian, Beijing, etc.).

Chemical industry. It relies on products of coke and petrochemistry, mining and chemical and vegetable raw materials. There are two groups of industries: mineral fertilizers, household chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

Light industry- traditional and one of the main industries, uses its own, mostly natural (2/3) raw materials. The leading sub-sector is the textile industry, which provides the country with a leading position in the production and export of fabrics (cotton, silk, and others). The sewing, knitting, leather and footwear sub-sectors are also developed.

food industry- for a country with such large population is extremely important, the processing of grain and oilseeds is in the lead, the production and processing of pork (2/3 of the volume of the meat industry), tea, tobacco and other food products are developed. As before, the country has developed the production of traditional sub-sectors: textile and clothing.

Agriculture- provides food for the population, supplies raw materials for food and light industry. The leading sub-sector of agriculture is crop production (rice is the basis of the Chinese diet). Wheat, corn, millet, sorghum, barley, peanuts, potatoes, yame, taro, cassava are also grown; industrial crops - cotton, sugar cane, tea, sugar beets, tobacco, and other vegetables. Livestock remains the least developed industry Agriculture. The basis of animal husbandry is pig breeding. Vegetable growing, poultry farming, beekeeping, and sericulture are also developed. Fisheries play an important role.

Transport- provides mainly the connection of seaports with the hinterland. 3/4 of all cargo transportation is provided by rail transport. Along with the recently increased importance of maritime, automobile and aviation, the use of traditional types transport: horse-drawn, pack, transport carts, bicycle and especially river.

Internal differences. In the early 1980s, in order to improve planning in China, three economic zones were identified: Eastern, Central and Western. The eastern one is the most developed; the largest industrial centers and agricultural regions are located here. The center is dominated by the production of fuel and energy, chemical products, raw materials and semi-finished products. The western zone is the least developed (animal husbandry, processing of mineral raw materials).

Foreign economic relations. Foreign economic relations have been developing especially widely since the 80-90s, which is associated with the formation of an open economy in the country. The volume of foreign trade is 30% of China's GDP. Labor-intensive products (clothing, toys, footwear, sporting goods, machinery and equipment) occupy a leading place in exports. Imports are dominated by engineering products, Vehicle.

India

Territory - 3.28 million km 2. Population - 935.5 million people. The capital is Delhi.

The Republic of India is located in South Asia on the Hindustan Peninsula. It also includes the Laccadive Islands in the Arabian Sea, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal. India borders on Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar. The maximum length of India - from north to south - 3200 km, from west to east - 2700 km. The EGP of India favors the development of the economy: India is located on the sea trade routes from the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean, halfway between the Middle and Far East. Indian civilization arose in the third millennium BC. e. For almost two centuries India was a colony of England. In 1947, India gained independence, and in 1950 it was proclaimed a republic within the British Commonwealth. India is a federal republic consisting of 25 states. Each of them has its own legislative assembly and the government, but while maintaining a strong central authority.

Natural conditions and resources

The main part of the territory is located within the Indo-Gangetic lowland and the Deccan plateau. The mineral resources of India are significant and varied. The main deposits are located in the northeast of the country. Here are the largest iron ore, coal basins, deposits of manganese ore; this creates favorable conditions for the development of heavy industries. The minerals of South India are diverse - these are bauxites, chromites, magnesites, brown coal, graphite, mica, diamonds, gold, monazite sands, ferrous metal ores, coal; in the state of Gujarat and on the continental shelf - oil. The climate of the country is mainly monsoonal subtropical and tropical, in the south - equatorial. The average annual temperature is about 25°С, only in winter in the mountains it falls below 0°. The distribution of precipitation over the seasons and across the territory is uneven - 80% of them fall in the summer, the eastern and mountainous regions receive the largest amount, and the northwest receives the smallest amount. Land resources are the natural wealth of the country, since a significant part of the soils has high fertility. Forests occupy 22% of India's area, but there is not enough forest for economic needs. The rivers of India have great energy potential and are also the main source of artificial irrigation.

Population

India is the second country in the world in terms of population (after China). The country has a very high rate of population reproduction. And although the peak of the "population explosion" has already been passed on the whole, the demographic problem has not yet lost its sharpness. India is the most multiethnic country in the world. It is inhabited by representatives of several hundred nations, nationalities and tribal groups that are at different stages of socio-economic development and speak different languages. They belong to the Caucasoid, Negroid, Australoid races and the Dravidian group. The peoples of the Indo-European family predominate: Hindustanis, Marathas, Bengalis, Biharis, etc. The official languages in the country are Hindi and English. More than 80% of the inhabitants of India are Hindus, 11% are Muslims. Complex ethnic and religious composition population often leads to conflicts and tensions. The distribution of the population of India is very uneven, since from ancient times the fertile lowlands and plains in the valleys and deltas of the rivers, on the sea coasts were first settled. The average population density is 260 people. per 1 km 2. Despite this high figure, there are still sparsely populated and even deserted territories. The level of urbanization is quite low - 27%, but the number of large cities and "millionaire" cities is constantly increasing; in terms of the absolute number of citizens (220 million people), India ranks second in the world. But, nevertheless, most of the population of India lives in crowded villages.

Industry, energy

India is a developing agro-industrial country with huge resources and human potential. Along with the traditional industries for India (agriculture, light industry), extractive and manufacturing industries are developing. At present, 29% of GDP falls on industry, 32% - on agriculture, 30% - on the service sector.

Energy. The creation of an energy base in the country began with the creation of hydroelectric power stations, but among the newly built in last years power plants are dominated by thermal power plants. The main source of energy is coal. Nuclear energy is also developing in India - 3 nuclear power plants are operating. Electricity generation per capita is still very low.

Ferrous metallurgy. This is a growing industry. The current level is 16 million tons of steel (1993). The industry is represented by enterprises located mainly in the east of the country (Kolkata-Damodar industrial belt), as well as in the states of Bihar, Adhra Pradesh, etc.

Non-ferrous metallurgy also developed in the east. The aluminum industry, based on local bauxites, stands out.

Engineering. India produces a variety of machine tool and transport engineering products (TVs, ships, cars, tractors, airplanes and helicopters). The industry is developing rapidly. The leading centers of mechanical engineering are Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, Hyderabad, Bangalore. In terms of production of the radio-electronic industry, India has taken second place in overseas Asia. The country produces a variety of radio equipment, color televisions, tape recorders, and communications equipment.

Chemical industry. In a country with such a role of agriculture, the production of mineral fertilizers is of exceptional importance. The importance of petrochemistry is also growing.

Light industry- a traditional branch of the economy, the main directions are cotton and jute, as well as sewing. There are textile factories in all major cities of the country. In India's exports, 25% are products of the textile and clothing industry.

food industry- also traditional, produces products for the domestic and foreign markets. The most widely known in the world is Indian tea.

Transport. Among the others developing countries transport in India is quite developed. In the first place in terms of importance are rail transport in domestic transportation and maritime transport in external ones.

Services sector. The largest film producer. Second only to the USA. In recent years, the creation of software products for the largest US corporations (1st place in the world) has been developed.

Agriculture

India is a country of ancient agricultural culture, one of the most important agricultural regions in the world. Three-fifths of India's EAN is employed in agriculture, but the use of mechanization is still insufficient. 4/5 of the value of agricultural products comes from crop production, agriculture needs irrigation (40% of the sown area is irrigated). The main part of the arable land is occupied by food crops: rice, wheat, corn, barley, millet, legumes, potatoes. The main industrial crops of India are cotton, jute, sugar cane, tobacco, and oilseeds. There are two main agricultural seasons in India - summer and winter. Sowing of the most important crops (rice, cotton, jute) is carried out in the summer, during the summer monsoon rains; in winter, they sow wheat, barley, etc. As a result of several factors, including the "green revolution", India is completely self-sufficient in grain. Animal husbandry is much inferior to crop production, although India ranks first in the world in terms of livestock. Only milk and animal skins are used, meat is practically not consumed, since Hindus are mostly vegetarians. IN coastal areas fishing is of great importance.

Foreign economic relations

India is still weakly involved in the MGRT, although international trade plays an important role in its economy. The main export items are light industry products, jewelry, agricultural products, medicines, fuel resources; the share of machinery and equipment is growing. The largest trading partners are the USA, Germany, Japan, Great Britain, Hong Kong.

Japan

Territory - 377.8 thousand square meters. km. Population - 125.2 million people (1995). The capital is Tokyo.

Geographical position, general information

Japan is an archipelago country located on four large and almost four thousand small islands, stretching in an arc of 3.5 thousand km from northeast to southwest along the eastern coast of Asia. The largest islands are Honshu, Hokaido, Kyushu and Shikoku. The shores of the archipelago are strongly indented and form many bays and coves. The seas and oceans washing Japan are of exceptional importance for the country as a source of biological, mineral and energy resources. The economic and geographical position of Japan is determined primarily by the fact that it is located in the center of the Asia-Pacific region, which contributes to the country's active participation in international geographical division labor. During the feudal period, Japan was isolated from other countries. After the incomplete bourgeois revolution of 1867-1868, it embarked on the path of rapid capitalist development. At the turn of the XIX - XX centuries, it became one of the imperialist powers. In the 20th century, Japan entered and participated in three major wars (Russian-Japanese and two world wars). After the end of World War II, the armed forces were disbanded and reforms were carried out. In 1947, the emperor lost his power (according to the constitution), now Japan is a constitutional monarchy. The highest body of state power and the only body of legislative power is the Parliament.

Natural conditions and resources

The geological basis of the archipelago is underwater mountain ranges. About 80% of the territory is occupied by mountains and hills with a highly dissected relief of an average height of 1600 - 1700 m. There are about 200 volcanoes, 90 are active, including the highest peak - Mount Fuji (3,776 m). Frequent earthquakes and tsunamis. The country is poor in minerals, but coal, lead and zinc ores, oil, sulfur, and limestone are being mined. The resources of its own deposits are small, so Japan is the largest importer of raw materials. Despite the small area, the length of the country in the meridional direction led to the existence of a unique complex on its territory. natural conditions: the island of Hokkaido and the north of Honshu are located in the temperate maritime climate zone, the rest of Honshu, the islands of Shikoku and Yushu - in a humid subtropical climate, and the island of Ryukyu - in a tropical climate. Japan is in the zone of active monsoon activity. The average annual rainfall ranges from 2 - 4 thousand mm. The soils of Japan are mainly slightly podzolic and peaty, as well as brown forest and red soils. Approximately 2/3 of the territory, mainly mountainous areas, is covered with forests (more than half of the forests are artificial plantations). Coniferous forests predominate in northern Hokkaido, mixed forests in central Honshu and southern Hokkaido, and subtropical monsoon forests in the south. There are many rivers in Japan, full-flowing, fast and rapids, of little use for navigation, but which are a source for hydropower and irrigation. The abundance of rivers, lakes and groundwater have a beneficial effect on the development of industry and agriculture. In the post-war period, environmental problems intensified on the Japanese islands. The adoption and implementation of a number of laws on environmental protection reduces the level of environmental pollution.

Population

Japan is among the top ten countries in the world in terms of population. Japan became the first Asian country to switch from the second to the first type of population reproduction. Now the birth rate is - 12%, mortality - 8% Life expectancy in the country - the highest in the world (76 years for men and 82 years for women). The population is distinguished by national homogeneity, about 99% are Japanese. Of the other nationalities, the number of Koreans and Chinese is significant. The most common religions are Shintoism and Buddhism. The population is unevenly distributed over the area. The average density is 330 people per km 2, but the coastal regions of the Pacific Ocean are among the most densely populated in the world. About 80% of the population lives in cities. 11 cities are millionaires. The largest urban agglomerations of Keihin. Hanshin and Chuke merge into the Tokyo Megalopolis (Takaido) with a population of over 60 million.

economy

The growth rate of the Japanese economy was one of the highest in the second half of the 20th century. The country has largely carried out a qualitative restructuring of the economy. Japan is at the post-industrial stage of development, which is characterized by a highly developed industry, but the most growing area is the non-manufacturing sector (services, finance, R&D). Although Japan is poor in natural resources and imports raw materials for most industries, it ranks 1-2 in the world for the output of many industries. Industry is mainly concentrated within the Pacific industrial belt.

Power industry. Mainly uses imported raw materials. Oil is the leader in the structure of the resource base, the share of natural gas, hydropower and nuclear power is growing, and the share of coal is declining. In the electric power industry, 60% of the capacity comes from thermal power plants and 28% from nuclear power plants, including Fukushima, the most powerful in the world. HPPs are located in cascades on mountain rivers. In terms of hydroelectric power generation, Japan ranks fifth in the world. In resource-poor Japan, alternative energy sources are being actively developed.

Ferrous metallurgy. In terms of steel production, the country ranks second in the world. The share of Japan in the world market of ferrous metallurgy is 23%. The largest centers, which now operate almost entirely on imported raw materials and fuel, are located near Osaka, Tokyo, in the city of Fujiyama.

Non-ferrous metallurgy. Due to the detrimental effect on environment reduced primary smelting of non-ferrous metals. Converting plants are located in all major industrial centers.

Engineering. Gives 40% of industrial production. The main sub-sectors among the many developed in Japan are electronics and electrical engineering, the radio industry and transport engineering. Japan firmly occupies the first place in the world in shipbuilding, specializes in the construction of large-capacity tankers and dry cargo ships. The main centers of shipbuilding and ship repair are located in the largest ports (Yokohama, Nagasaki, Kobe). In terms of car production (13 million units per year), Japan also ranks first in the world. The main centers are Toyota, Yokohama, Hiroshima. The main enterprises of general engineering are located within the Pacific industrial belt - complex machine tool building and industrial robots in the Tokyo region, metal-intensive equipment - in the Osaka region, machine tool building - in the Nagai region. The share of the country in the world output of the radio-electronic and electrical industry is exceptionally large. In terms of the level of development of the chemical industry, Japan occupies one of the first places in the world. Japan also has developed pulp and paper, light and food industries.

Agriculture Japan remains an important industry, although it contributes about 2% of GNP; the industry employs 6.5% of EAN. Agricultural production is focused on food production (the country itself provides 70% of its needs). 13% of the territory is cultivated, in the structure of crop production (provides 70% of agricultural products). The leading role is played by the cultivation of rice and vegetables, and horticulture is developed. Animal husbandry is intensively developing (breeding of cattle, pig breeding, poultry farming). Due to the exclusive place of fish and seafood in the diet of the Japanese, the country fishes in all areas of the World Ocean, has more than three thousand fishing ports and has the largest fishing fleet (over 400 thousand vessels).

Transport. In Japan, all types of transport are developed, with the exception of river and pipeline transport. In terms of cargo transportation, the first place is occupied by road transport (60%), the second place - by sea. The role of rail transport is declining, while air travel is growing. Due to very active foreign economic relations, Japan has the largest merchant fleet in the world.

Territorial structure of the economy

For territorial structure economy is characterized by a combination of two completely different parts. The Pacific belt is the socio-economic core of the country ("front part"). Here are the main industrial regions, ports, transport routes and developed agriculture. The periphery zone ("rear part") includes areas where timber harvesting, animal husbandry, mining, hydropower, tourism and recreation are most developed. Despite the regional policy, the smoothing of territorial disproportions is rather slow.

External economic ties Japan.

Japan actively participates in MRT, foreign trade occupies a leading place, the export of capital, industrial, scientific, technical and other ties are also developed. The share of Japan in world imports is about 1/10. Mainly raw materials and fuel are imported. The country's share in world exports is also more than 1/10. Industrial goods account for 98% of exports.

Foreign Asia includes 48 states and is divided into 5 sub-regions. The sub-regions of Foreign Asia are South-West, South, South-East, East and Central Asia. What are the features and geographical position of these regions?

general characteristics

The area of Foreign Asia is 32 million square meters. km. All 48 states can be divided into island, inland and coastal. The island states include, for example, Japan, the Maldives, etc., the coastal states - India, South Korea and others, to inland - Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, etc.

Rice. 1. Table characteristic of Foreign Asia.

Of the 48 countries, only 4 states can be called economically developed. These are Japan, Singapore, Israel, South Korea. The rest of the countries belong to the group of developing countries.

The climate of Western Asia is varied. The region is located in the subtropical, equatorial (extreme south) and temperate zones (north of the region).

Western Asia is washed by many bays, seas and oceans. Asia has access to all four oceans: in the north it is washed by the waters of the Arctic Ocean, in the east by the Pacific Ocean, in the south by the Indian Ocean, and in the west by the Red Sea, which belongs to the Atlantic Ocean basin.

The natural conditions of the regions are very diverse. The main natural resources are oil (Gulf countries), gas (Gulf countries, Turkmenistan), coal and iron ore (China, India), non-ferrous metal ores. There is an extremely uneven supply of mineral resources in the region. In most countries, there is a shortage of land, and in South-West and Central Asia - water resources.

Industry and agriculture

According to the level of industrial development, 6 groups of countries are distinguished:

Population of Foreign Asia

4.2 billion people live on the territory of Foreign Asia. 50% of the world's population is concentrated here. most populous country is China, with a population of 1.4 billion. The population density is extremely uneven: high density in coastal and island states, low - in desert states (for example, Mongolia and Kazakhstan). The region is very low level urbanization.

Among countries, the state with the most high density The population is Bangladesh with the capital Dhaka.

Rice. 3. Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh.

The composition of the population of Foreign Asia is ethnically very complex. More than 1 thousand peoples who belong to different language families live on its territory. The largest peoples are the Chinese, Japanese, Biharis, Bengalis.

EGP of Foreign Asia

There are positive and negative aspects in the EGP of Foreign Asia. One of the positive features is the coastal location of most countries in the region. In addition, there are mineral resources that are diverse and are the basis for the existence of heavy and light industry. Thanks to a large number oil, which is produced in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Asia occupies an important place in the world economy.

There are five centers of Overseas Asia:

China;
Japan;
India;
NIS (newly industrialized countries);
oil exporting countries).

What have we learned?

Foreign Asia is a large macro-region, which includes five sub-regions. Occupying an area of 32 million square meters. km, and having 48 states, this territory plays an important role in the global economy. This article for grade 11 geography provides brief information about the regions, their geographical location and economic features.

Topic quiz

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Topic 7. FOREIGN ASIA. AUSTRALIA

BLOCK OF OBTAINING KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Exercise 1. With the help of the "visiting card" of the countries of foreign Asia on the flyleaf of the textbook, specify the characteristics of their political system. Based on knowledge from history courses, explain why in no other part of the world have so many absolute monarchies been preserved as in overseas Asia. Put republics and monarchies on contour map. Label the federal states. See also Table 2 of the Appendix.

Add- Using table 1 in the "Appendices", plot on the contour map

body for- foreign Asian countries that gained political independence after

Denmark(us- Second World War. Write down the dates of independence and false). compare them with the countries of the four subregions.

Task 2. Using the maps of the atlas, determine what types of minerals the countries of foreign Asia possess. Distribute them among the main countries and draw conclusions about the "completeness" and "incompleteness" of the composition of their mineral resources. Give examples of territorial combinations of these resources. Use also tables 3, 4 and 5 in the "Appendices".

Task 3. Based on the text of the textbook, a physical map of foreign Asia, as well as maps of land, water and agro-climatic resources of the world in the atlas and table 6 in the "Appendices", characterize the natural conditions for the development of agriculture in foreign Asia. Apply the standard plan for characterizing natural conditions for the development of agriculture in the country (region) on p. 272. Also use the knowledge gained in the study of the geography of continents and oceans in the 7th grade.

Task 4. Using the map of the peoples of the world in the atlas, determine which main language families the population of East, Southeast, South and Southwest Asia belongs to. Name the largest peoples representing separate families.

Task 5. Complete the characteristics of the population of foreign Asia with the figures and facts contained in Figures 17, 18 and in tables 2 and 3 of the textbook, as well as on the maps of the atlas and in tables 11-17 of the Appendix.

Task 6. Using the economic map of Southwest Asia in the atlas and figure 61 of the textbook, describe the location of the oil industry in this subregion. Name the main oil fields, oil refining centers, oil pipelines, seaports through which oil is exported.

Task 7. On the map of China in the atlas, determine with which states this country has land borders. Compare it by the number of neighboring countries with Russia.

Task 8. Using the text of the textbook, the "visiting card" on its flyleaf, the drawings of the textbook, the table in the "Appendices" and the maps of the atlas, describe the population of China. State the main facts, draw conclusions. Apply the model plan for characterizing the population of a country (region) on p. 272.

Add- Using the following toponymic dictionary, "decipher" the names

body for- some provinces of China, indicated in Figure 65: "bay" - north, dacha (for"nan" - south, "dong" - east, "si" - west, "shan" - mountain, "yuan" and "ning"

pleasure).- plain, "he" and "jiang" - river, "hu" - lake, "yun" - cloud.

For example: "Hebei" - "north of the river" (Huanghe).

Task 9. Using the figures and tables in part I of the textbook, and table 23 in the Appendix, draw up a chart for China following the model of figure 59 for Japan.

Task 10. Using the atlas maps, give examples of the largest industrial centers representing the main sectors of China's heavy industry.

Add- Plot these centers on the contour map. Think about their reasons.

telny task (complicated). occurrence.

Task 11. Using the agro-climatic map of the world and the economic map of Central and East Asia in the atlas, determine:

1) within what agro-climatic zones is the territory of China located; 2) what crops are typical for it; 3) where are the main areas of their cultivation. Try to name the main reasons for their specialization.

Add- Draw on the contour map the main areas of cultivation of rice, wheat

bodybehindgiven (complicated). and tea in China. Explain their placement.

Task 12. Using the text of the textbook, Figure 65 and maps of the atlas, give comparative characteristic three economic zones of China.

Add- Imagine that you are a tour guide and you are assigned to

body for- tour of the center of Beijing. Using the text of the textbook, the plan of Beijing in dacha (for atlas and additional sources of information, prepare

pleasure). material for such an excursion and "spend" it with your comrades.

Task 13. Using the text of the textbook, the political map of the world and the economic map of Japan in the atlas, characterize the EGP of Japan. Apply the standard plan for characterizing the country's (region's) EGP on p. 222.

Add- Using the text and drawings of the textbook, as well as the maps of the atlas, give

bodybehind- comparative characteristics of the EGP of Japan and Great Britain; define Denmark(mustachefalse). similarities and differences.

Exercise14 . Using the text of the textbook and Figure 69, characterize the structure of Japan's exports and imports. Using the figures in Topic 5, describe the main fuel and raw material imports to Japan.

Task 15. Using the text of the textbook and figures 70 and 72, give general characteristics Pacific belt of Japan. Using the economic map of Japan in the atlas, specify the following provisions of the textbook: 1) "The majority of thermal power plants and nuclear power plants, metallurgical, oil refining and chemical plants, machine-building plants are located here"; 2) "Within its borders are located many of the main areas of intensive agriculture, and the main transport routes, and the most important ports."

Exercise16 . The usual tourist route in Japan includes Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto,

(creative Hiroshima. But he does not give a complete picture of this country. Using

something!). text and pictures of the textbook, as well as additional sources of information, make an itinerary that would show both faces of Japan.

Exercise17. Using the text of the textbook, figure 74, tables 14, 16, 17 in the "Appendices" and the map of the peoples of India in the atlas, describe the population of India. Name the cities-"millionaires". Calculate the average population density in 1951, 1981, 1991 and 2001. Compare the findings and explain what they show.

Exercise18. Using the text of the textbook, physical map Asia and the economic map of South and Southeast Asia in the atlas, describe the agriculture of India. Apply the model plan for the characteristics of agriculture of the country (region) on p. 242.

Add- Using the map in the atlas, plot the areas of cultivation on the contour map.

bodybehind- rice, wheat, millet, cotton, jute, sugarcane, tea. given (us- Determine which areas (types) of agriculture in foreign Asia

false). presented in India.

Task 19. Carefully review the text and pictures of part I of the textbook and choose from

(creative- all of them pertaining to Australia. Use atlas maps for Australia

skoe!). and application tables. Based on these materials, complete the brief socio-economic description of this country given in the textbook.

Task 20. 1. (Work in a notebook.) Make a logical summary of one of

(final). paragraphs of topic 7.

2. (Work on a contour map.) Using the text and drawings of the textbook, make a chart: "The most important products supplied by the countries of foreign Asia to the world market." Show with arrows the export of mining, manufacturing and agricultural products.

3. Choose one of the countries of foreign Asia that you would like to visit. Pick up interesting material on this country. Describe it - as if from personal impressions.

4. Determine what types of thematic maps in the textbook and atlas you used when studying topic 7.

5. Using figure 73 in your textbook, describe a dry coastal sea in Japan.

Try to answer:

1. Why, of all economically developed countries, the "shift to the sea" of the economy received the most vivid expression in Japan? Why did Japan become a pioneer in the construction of supertankers, coal carriers, ore carriers, car carriers?

2. Why is the population density in South and Southeast Asia the highest in the valleys and deltas of the rivers?

3. Why has animal husbandry become the main branch of the Mongolian economy?

4. Why can the Mekong River be called the "Danube of Asia"?

5. How does the specialization of China's agriculture change as you move from north to south? from east to west?

6. Why does the extractive industry account for only 0.3% of Japan's industrial structure?

7. Why do they say: “To know India, one must live in the countryside”?

8. Why in Australia are mastered mainly near-ocean territories?

Check if the following statements are correct and, if necessary, give the correct answer:

1. Every fifth inhabitant of the Earth is Chinese.

2. Japan, unlike other Asian countries, is characterized by the first type of population reproduction.

3. South Asia is the most multinational and multilingual region in the world.

4. Japan has become a leading industrial power with only one type of resource - labor resources.

5. Peasants in the monsoon regions of Asia grow wheat and barley.

6. Australia ranks second in the world in the number of sheep and first in the production of wool.

Choose the correct answer:

1. The bowels of the countries of Southwest Asia are rich in: oil, natural gas, iron ore, uranium, non-ferrous metal ores.

2. Among the agricultural products of South Asia stand out: rice, bananas, dates, wheat, tea, cotton, wool.

3. The most economically developed of the four main Japanese islands is: 1) about. Hokkaido, 2) about. Khonshu, 3) about. Kyushu, 4) about. Shikoku.

Eliminate wrong answers:

Japan exports: ferrous metals, automobiles, sea vessels, electronic products, coal, oil, iron ore, timber, livestock products.

Can you:

1. Place the following countries, mentioned in the text and on text maps, on the contour map of the world from memory: Mongolia, North Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Israel?

2. Show on the map the following cities mentioned in the text and on text maps: Shanghai, Osaka, Jakarta, Bangkok, Mumbai, Kabul, Riyadh, Istanbul, Sydney, Melbourne?

3. Indicate which of the following countries are newly industrialized countries: North Korea, Cambodia, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Iraq?

4. Which of the following capital cities are seaside cities: Ulaanbaatar, Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul, Hanoi, Delhi, Baghdad, Ankara, Beirut?

5. What are the five major cities in Australia?

1. The country ranks first in the world in terms of average population density (excluding microstates).

2. The country ranks first in the world in terms of oil reserves.

3. The country ranks first in the world in terms of irrigated land.

4. A mainland country that is part of the Commonwealth.

METHODOLOGICAL KEYS TO TOPIC 7

What needs to be remembered

1.Political map, peoples and countries of foreign Asia. (Geography, grade 7.) 2. Features of the physical and geographical position, relief, minerals, climate, waters, soils and vegetation of foreign Asia and Australia, natural zones within them. (Geography, grade 7.) 3. The states of Asia in antiquity and the Middle Ages. (History, grades 5, 6.) 4. Features of the historical development of China, India and Japan in late XIX- the first half of the XX century. (History, grades 8, 9.) 5. Materials of part I of the textbook. 6. Concepts and terms: climatic zones, monsoons, soil erosion, land reclamation, rainfed agriculture, reservation.

What you need to know

Topic 7 Leading Ideas:

1. In recent decades, the role of the countries of foreign Asia and the Asia-Pacific region in world politics and the economy has been increasing all the time. 2. Separate large cultural regions have historically developed on the territory of foreign Asia.

The main scientific knowledge of topic 7:

1.Character traits economic and geographical position, geography of natural conditions and resources, population, industry, agriculture, environmental problems of foreign Asia and four sub-regions. 2. Economic and socio-geographical characteristics of China. 3. Economic and socio-geographical characteristics of Japan. 4. Economic and socio-geographical characteristics of India. 5. Brief overview of Australia. 6. Keywords of the topic: 1) interethnic and religious conflict, 2) separatism, 3) eastern (Asian) city type, 4) megalopolis, 5) "growth pole".

What you need to know

1. Describe the natural prerequisites for the development of agriculture in the country (region). 2. Give a description of the country's (region's) agriculture. 3. Describe the population of the country (region). 4. Compose a logical summary of a part of the text of the textbook. 5. Make maps.

Instructions and plans for mastering the skills of independent study.

1. Plan for the characteristics of natural conditions for the agricultural economy of the country (region):

1. Territory relief conditions and their influence on the location of agriculture. 2. Agro-climatic characteristics of the territory. 3. Soil and vegetation conditions of the territory. 4. Overall rating natural prerequisites for the development of agriculture.

2 . Plan of characteristics of agriculture of the country (region):

1. The importance of the industry and the size of the products. 2. Natural conditions for the development of the industry. 3. Features of agrarian relations. 4. The structure of the industry, the ratio of crop and livestock. 5. Geography of plant growing and animal husbandry, agricultural regions (zones). 6. Dependence of the country on the export and import of agricultural products. 7. General conclusion and prospects for the development of the industry.

3. Plan for the characteristics of the population of the country (region):

1. Number, type of population reproduction, demographic policy. 2. Age and sex composition of the population, availability of labor resources. 3. National (ethnic) composition of the population. 4. Social and class composition of the population. 5. The main features of the distribution of the population, the impact of migration on this distribution. 6. Levels, rates and forms of urbanization, main cities and urban agglomerations. 7. Rural resettlement. 8. General conclusion. Prospects for population growth and labor supply.

Theme 8. AFRICA

BJIOK KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Exercise 1. Using Table 1 in the Appendix, plot the African countries that gained political independence after World War II on a contour map. Indicate the dates of independence and compare in this respect the countries of North and Tropical Africa.

Add- Using the "business card" on the flyleaf of the textbook, select the appropriate

bodybehind- the existing "pairs" of countries in Africa and foreign Europe, approximately equal in

giving (for pleasure). by the size of the territory.

Task 2. Using the maps of the atlas and tables 3-5 of the "Appendices", classify the countries of Africa according to the degree of their wealth in minerals. Make a table in the following form:

Draw conclusions about the provision of these countries with raw materials and fuel for the development of heavy industry.

Add- Using the same sources, determine the main territorial combinations

body for- mineral. Describe the composition of fossils in each of them; given (us- try to connect it with the tectonic structure of the territory. Apply false). combinations of minerals on a contour map.

Task 3. Using figures 7, 8 and 9, tables 6, 7 and 8 in the "Appendices" and maps of the atlas, specify and complete the characteristics of land, water and agro-climatic resources of Africa contained in the text of the textbook.

Task 4. Using Table 3, quantify the "urban explosion" in Africa. What conclusions can be drawn from these calculations?

Add- Prepare a summary of the report on the topic: "Population of Africa." Use

body for- text and drawings of topics 3 and 8 of the textbook, maps of the atlas, tables of "Appendices", given (complicated). additional literature.

Task 5. Analyze figure 77. Using the economic map of Africa in the atlas, indicate specifically which ore, non-metallic minerals, food products and types of agricultural raw materials determine the monocultural specialization of each of the countries indicated in the graph.

Task 6. Based on the physical and economic maps of Africa in the atlas, determine: 1) the main areas of the mining industry in Africa and their specialization, 2) the main areas of commercial agriculture and their specialization, 3) the trans-African transport routes. Also use the drawings of topic 5 of the textbook.

Add- Using the maps of the atlas, make a table in your notebook "Zonal special-

body for- zation of export and consumer crops in

Denmark (creative!) Africa" in the following form:

Draw all possible conclusions from the analysis of this table.

Task 7. Using the text of the textbook and the plan of Cairo in the atlas, prepare a message

(creative on the theme "Cairo - the Arab city of North Africa." Use also

something!). additional sources of information.

Add- Imagine that you have taken a journey down the Nile from Aswan to

body for- mouth. Describe your journey in a letter to a friend. try to do dacha (for so that a colorful image of this territory arises.

pleasure).

Task 8. What do you think should be done to prevent future

(creative!). a repeat of the "Sahel tragedy"? Give a rationale for your "project".

Add- In his novel Five Weeks in a Balloon, Jules Verne spoke of

body for- travel in Africa in a hot air balloon. "Repeat" the route of this dacha (for trips. In which countries are they located and what are they pleasure). areas of Africa described by the writer today?

Final 1. (Work in a notebook.) Compare the countries of North, Tropical Africa and

task 9. South Africa according to some indicators characterizing their population and economy. Determine the similarities and differences. Arrange the necessary data in the form of a table.

2. Compare the main extractive industries in North Africa and Southwest Asia. What conclusion can be drawn from this comparison?

3. Compare the main export crops of Tropical Africa and South Asia. What conclusion can be drawn from this comparison?

4. For class demonstration, prepare a small album called Geography of Africa on Postage Stamps.

SELF-CONTROL AND MUTUAL CONTROL UNIT

Answer the questions:

1. Why is the shift of the population to the coasts of the oceans and seas in Africa less pronounced than in overseas Asia?

2. Why is the Congo River not used for the export of industrial products from the Copper Belt?

3. Why is Cairo called "the diamond button that fastens the delta"?

4. Why is Senegal called the "Peanut Republic"?

Are the following statements correct: ^Sh

1. Most African countries achieved independence in the second half of the 20th century.

2. Africa is the region with the highest birth rate and the highest death rate in the world.

3. African countries are characterized by high rates of urbanization.

4. Nigeria's main mineral is bauxite.

Choose the correct answer:

2. The most important types of minerals in North Africa are ... (coal, iron ore, bauxite, oil, natural gas, phosphorites).

3. The least developed countries in Africa include ... (Algeria, Ethiopia, Chad, Niger, Somalia, South Africa).

4. The main export crops of Tropical Africa are ... (wheat, millet, cotton, citrus fruits, peanuts, coffee, cocoa, natural rubber, sisal).

Can you:

1. Put the following countries mentioned in the text and on text maps on the contour map of the world from memory: Libya, Algeria, Sudan, Ghana, Congo, Angola, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, Madagascar?

2. Show on the map the following cities mentioned in the text and on maps: Cairo, Kinshasa, Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Lagos, Dakar, Luanda, Johannesburg?

3. Explain the meaning of the following concepts and terms: monoculture, subsistence economy, apartheid?

4. Indicate which of the following countries are the main producers and exporters of cocoa: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, Angola?

Identify the countries to which the following statements apply:

1. A country located on an island with an area of 1,600 thousand km 2.

2. Countries located "inside" the territory of South Africa.

3. A country lying on the middle course of the Niger River and not having access to the seas.

4. Country whose capital is the city of Nairobi.

5. A country where 98% of the population is concentrated in a territory that occupies less than 4% of its total area.

Fill in the gaps in the following phrases:

1. The copper belt stretches from Zambia to the southeastern part of ... .

2. ... - the largest producer and exporter of oil in Africa, a member of OPEC.

3. South Africa produces... all of Africa's manufacturing products.

METHODOLOGICAL KEYS TO TOPIC 8

What needs to be remembered

1. The political map and the peoples of Africa. (Geography, grade 7.) 2. Features of the physical and geographical position, relief, minerals, climate, waters, soils and vegetation of Africa, natural zones within it. (Geography, grade 7.) 3. Ancient Egypt. (History, grade 5.) 4. The main content of the national liberation struggle of the peoples of Africa in the late XIX - early XX century. (History, grade 8.) 5. The material of part I of this textbook. 6. Concepts and terms: colony, bantustan, platform, desert, savannah, equatorial forest, kimberlite pipe, national park.

What you need to know

Topic Leading Ideas 8.

The transformation of the socio-economic structure of Africa requires great efforts on the part of both the African peoples and the entire world community.

Main scientific knowledge of topic 8:

1. Characteristic features of the economic and geographical position, geography of natural conditions and resources, population, industry, agriculture, environmental problems of Africa. 2. The concept of monoculture. 3. The image of the territory of North Africa. 4. The image of the territory of Tropical Africa. 5. Brief overview of South Africa. 6. Keywords of the topic: 1) colonial type sectoral structure economy, 2) monoculture, 3) the Arab type of the city.

What you need to know

1. Using a textbook and an atlas, independently extract necessary knowledge for characterization. 2. Carry out comparative characteristics of industries, regions and cities. 3. Prepare a summary of the report on a given topic.

Table 10 - Demographic and socio-economic indicators of the world, Foreign Asia

Indicators	The whole world	Zarub. Asia	China	India	Japan
Area, thousand km2	132850	27710	9597	3288	372
Population in 1998, million people	5930	3457,6	1255,1	975,8	125,9
Birth rate, ‰	24	24	17	29	10
Mortality, ‰	9	8	7	10	7
natural increase	15	16	10	19	3
Life expectancy, m/f	63/68	65/68	68/72	62/63	77/83
Age structure, under 16 / over 65	62/6	33/5	27/6	36/4	16/14
Share of urban population in 1995, %	45	35	30	27	78
GDP per capita in 1995, $	6050	3950	2920	1400	22110

General economic and geographical characteristics of Asia

Geographical position. general review

The region consists of countries of various sizes: two of them are giant countries, the rest are mainly rather large countries. The boundaries between them pass along well-defined natural boundaries. The EGP of Asian countries is determined by their neighboring position, the coastal position of most countries, and the deep position of some countries. The first two features have a beneficial effect on their economy, and the third complicates external economic relations. The political structure of countries is very diverse: Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Nepal, Bhutan, Jordan are constitutional monarchies, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Brunei, Oman are absolute monarchies, the rest of the states are republics.

Natural conditions and resources

The area is extremely homogeneous in terms of tectonic structure and relief: within its boundaries, the greatest amplitude of heights on earth is noted, both ancient Precambrian platforms and areas of young Cenozoic folding, grandiose mountainous countries and vast plains are located here. As a result, the mineral resources of Asia are very diverse. The main pools of coal, iron and manganese ores, and non-metallic minerals are concentrated within the Chinese and Hindustan platforms. Ores predominate within the Alpine-Himalayan and Pacific fold belts. But the main wealth of the region, which also determines its role in the MGRT, is oil. Oil and gas reserves have been explored in most countries of Southwest Asia, but the main deposits are in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, and Iran. The agro-climatic resources of Asia are heterogeneous. Vast massifs of mountainous countries, deserts and semi-deserts are hardly suitable for economic activity, with the exception of animal husbandry; the provision of arable land is low and continues to decline (as the population grows and soil erosion increases).

Population

The population of Asia is 3.1 billion people. All countries in the region, with the exception of Japan, belong to the 2nd type of population reproduction, and now they are in a state of the so-called "population explosion". Some countries are struggling with this phenomenon by pursuing a demographic policy (India, China), but most countries do not pursue such a policy, rapid population growth and its rejuvenation continue. At the current rate of population growth, it could double in 30 years. Among sub-regions of Asia, East Asia is the furthest away from the peak of the population explosion. The ethnic composition of the Asian population is also extremely complex: more than 1,000 peoples live here - from small ethnic groups numbering several hundred people to the largest peoples in the world. The four peoples of the region (Chinese, Hindustanis, Bengalis and Japanese) make up over 100 million each. The peoples of Asia belong to approximately 15 language families. There is no such linguistic diversity in any other large region of the planet. The most complex countries in ethnolinguistic terms: India, Sri Lanka, Cyprus. In East and Southwest Asia, with the exception of Iran and Afghanistan, a more homogeneous national composition is characteristic. The complex composition of the population in many parts of the region (India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Iraq, Turkey, etc.) leads to acute ethnic conflicts. Foreign Asia is the birthplace of all major religions, all three world religions were born here: Christianity, Buddhism, and Islam. Among other national religions it is necessary to note Confucianism (China), Taoism, Shintoism. In many countries, interethnic contradictions are based precisely on religious grounds. The population of foreign Asia is distributed unevenly: the population density ranges from 1 to 800 people. per 1 km2. In some areas it reaches 2000 people. per 1 km2 The growth rate of the region's urban population is so high (3.3%) that this growth has become known as the "urban explosion". But, despite this, in terms of the level of urbanization (34%), Foreign Asia is in the penultimate place among the regions of the world. For rural settlement, the rural form is most characteristic.

economy

There are 6 groups of countries:

1. Japan - occupies a separate position, as it is the "power No. 2" of the Western world, the only member of the "Big Seven" in this region. In many important indicators, it occupies a leading position among the economically developed countries of the West;

2. China and India have also made great strides in economic and social development in a short time. But in terms of per capita indicators, their successes are still small;

4. oil-producing countries - Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and other countries of the Persian Gulf, which, thanks to "petrodollars", in a short time managed to go through a development path that would have taken them several centuries. Now not only oil production is developing here, but also petrochemistry, metallurgy and other industries;

5. countries with a predominance in the industrial structure of mining or light industry - Mongolia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Jordan.

Agriculture

In most Asian countries, the bulk of EAN is occupied in agriculture. In general, the region is characterized by a combination of commodity and consumer economy, landownership and peasant land use, a sharp predominance of food crops in the crops. The food problem in many countries has not yet been resolved; in South and Southeast Asia, tens of millions of people are on the verge of starvation. In accordance with the distribution of agro-climatic resources, population and traditions, 3 large areas of agriculture have developed: a rice-growing area (covering the monsoon sector of East, Southeast and South Asia) combined with tea cultivation in higher parts; area of subtropical agriculture (Mediterranean coast); the rest of the territory is dominated by the cultivation of wheat, millet, pasture animal husbandry.

Ecology

As a result of the low culture of managing the economy, the negative anthropogenic impact in foreign Asia is looming large. As a result of intensive mining without environmental protection measures, extensive agriculture, and an increase in the number of inhabitants, atmospheric pollution, depletion of water resources, soil erosion, land alienation, deforestation, and impoverishment of natural biocenoses occur. Frequent conflicts and wars in the region only exacerbate the situation. For example, the Persian Gulf War led to acid rain, dust storms, massive soot and oil pollution of waters and soils, and caused irreparable damage to the fauna and flora of the region. No less notorious is ecocide during the American aggression in Vietnam, when over the course of several years forests were deliberately destroyed on an area of about 0.5 million km2.

China

Territory - 9.6 million km2. Population - 1 billion 222 million people since 1995. Capital - Beijing.

Natural conditions and resources

The country is located within the fragmented Chinese Precambrian platform and younger sites. As part of this, the eastern part is mostly low-lying, and the protected area is elevated and mountainous. Various mineral deposits are associated with a variety of tectonic structures. In terms of their availability, China is one of the leading countries in the world, distinguished primarily by its reserves of coal, non-ferrous and ferrous metal ores, rare earth elements, mining and chemical raw materials. In terms of oil and gas reserves, China is inferior to the leading oil countries of the world, but in terms of oil production, the country has taken 5th place in the world. The main oil fields are located in North and Northeast China, the basins of inland China. Among the ore deposits, the Anshan iron ore basin, located in the coal-rich Northeast China, stands out. Non-ferrous metal ores are concentrated mainly in the central and southern provinces. The People's Republic of China is located in temperate, subtropical and tropical climatic zones, and in the west the climate is sharply continental, and in the east - monsoonal, with a large amount of precipitation (in summer). Such climatic and soil differences create conditions for the development of agriculture: in the west, in arid regions, livestock breeding and irrigated agriculture are mainly developed, while in the east, on the especially fertile lands of the Great China Plain, agriculture prevails. The water resources of the PRC are very large, the eastern, more populated and highly developed part of the country is best provided with them. River waters are widely used for irrigation. In addition, China ranks first in the world in terms of theoretical hydropower resources, but their use is still very small. The forest resources of China as a whole are quite large, concentrated mainly in the northeast (taiga coniferous forests) and in the southeast (tropical and subtropical deciduous forests). They are intensively used in the economy.

Population

China is the first country in the world in terms of population (almost 1,300 million people, or 20% of all inhabitants of the Earth), and it has probably held the palm for many centuries. In the 1970s, the country began to pursue a demographic policy aimed at reducing the birth rate, since after the formation of the PRC (in the 1950s), the population growth rate increased very quickly due to a decrease in mortality and an increase in living standards. This policy has borne fruit and now natural growth in China is even below the world average. China is a young country (under the age of 15 - 1/3 of the population). It is distinguished by the intensity of labor migration, both within the country and abroad. The PRC is a multinational country (there are 56 nationalities), but with a sharp predominance of the Chinese - about 95% of the population. They live mainly in the eastern part of the country, in the west (in most of the territory) there are representatives of other nationalities (Gzhuans, Hui, Uighurs, Tibetans, Mongols, Koreans, Manchus, etc.). Despite the fact that the PRC is a socialist country, Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism are practiced here (in general, the population is not very religious). On the territory of the country is the world center of Buddhism - Tibet, occupied by China in 1951. Urbanization is rapidly developing in China.

economy

The PRC is an industrial-agrarian socialist country that has recently been developing at a very rapid pace. Modernization of the economy is proceeding at different rates in different regions of China. Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have been set up in East China to take advantage of their advantageous maritime position. This strip occupies 1/4 of the country's territory, 1/3 of the population lives here and 2/3 of GNP is produced. The average income per inhabitant is 4 times that of the more backward inland provinces. The territorial structure of the country's economy is represented mainly by the established large industrial centers, agriculture plays an important role, which employs most of the economically active population (EAP). In terms of GDP, China has taken 2nd place in the world, although in terms of GNP per capita it has not yet reached the world average (about $500 per year).

Energy

Mechanical engineering and metalworking- occupies 35% in the structure of the industry. The share of production of equipment for the textile industry remains high, while electronics, electrical engineering, and the automotive industry are developing rapidly. The structure of industrial enterprises is diverse: along with modern high-tech enterprises, handicraft factories are widespread. The leading sub-sectors are heavy engineering, machine tool building, and transport engineering. The automotive industry (6th-7th place in the world), electronics and instrumentation are developing rapidly. The predominant part of China's engineering products is produced by the coastal zone (over 60%), and mainly in large cities (the main centers are Shanghai, Shenyang, Dalian, Beijing, etc.).

food industry- for a country with such a large population it is extremely important, the processing of grain and oilseeds is in the lead, the production and processing of pork (2/3 of the volume of the meat industry), tea, tobacco and other food products are developed. As before, the country has developed the production of traditional sub-sectors: textile and clothing.

Agriculture- provides food for the population, supplies raw materials for food and light industry. The leading sub-sector of agriculture is crop production (rice is the basis of the Chinese diet). Wheat, corn, millet, sorghum, barley, peanuts, potatoes, yame, taro, cassava are also grown; industrial crops - cotton, sugar cane, tea, sugar beets, tobacco, and other vegetables. Animal husbandry remains the least developed branch of agriculture. The basis of animal husbandry is pig breeding. Vegetable growing, poultry farming, beekeeping, and sericulture are also developed. Fisheries play an important role.

Transport- provides mainly the connection of seaports with the hinterland. 3/4 of all cargo transportation is provided by rail transport. Along with the recently increased importance of sea, road and aviation, the use of traditional modes of transport is preserved: horse-drawn, pack, transport carts, cycling and especially river.

India

Territory - 3.28 million km2. Population - 935.5 million people. The capital is Delhi.

The Republic of India is located in South Asia on the Hindustan Peninsula. It also includes the Laccadive Islands in the Arabian Sea, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal. India borders on Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar. The maximum length of India - from north to south - 3200 km, from west to east - 2700 km. The EGP of India favors the development of the economy: India is located on the sea trade routes from the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean, halfway between the Middle and Far East. Indian civilization arose in the third millennium BC. e. For almost two centuries India was a colony of England. In 1947, India gained independence, and in 1950 it was proclaimed a republic within the British Commonwealth. India is a federal republic consisting of 25 states. Each of them has its own legislative assembly and government, but while maintaining a strong central authority.

Natural conditions and resources

Population

India is the second country in the world in terms of population (after China). The country has a very high rate of population reproduction. And although the peak of the “population explosion” has already been generally passed, the demographic problem has not yet lost its urgency. India is the most multiethnic country in the world. It is inhabited by representatives of several hundred nations, nationalities and tribal groups that are at different stages of socio-economic development and speak different languages. They belong to the Caucasoid, Negroid, Australoid races and the Dravidian group. The peoples of the Indo-European family predominate: Hindustanis, Marathas, Bengalis, Biharis, etc. The official languages in the country are Hindi and English. More than 80% of the inhabitants of India are Hindus, 11% are Muslims. The complex ethnic and religious composition of the population often leads to conflicts and increased tension. The distribution of the population of India is very uneven, since from ancient times the fertile lowlands and plains in the valleys and deltas of the rivers, on the sea coasts were first settled. The average population density is 260 people. per 1 km2. Despite this high figure, there are still sparsely populated and even deserted territories. The level of urbanization is quite low - 27%, but the number of large cities and "millionaire" cities is constantly increasing; in terms of the absolute number of citizens (220 million people), India ranks second in the world. But, nevertheless, most of the population of India lives in crowded villages.

Industry, energy

Energy. The creation of an energy base in the country began with the creation of hydroelectric power plants, but among the newly built power plants in recent years, thermal power plants predominate. The main source of energy is coal. Nuclear energy is also developing in India - 3 nuclear power plants are operating. Electricity generation per capita is still very low.

Non-ferrous metallurgy also developed in the east. The aluminum industry, based on local bauxites, stands out.

Chemical industry. In a country with such a role of agriculture, the production of mineral fertilizers is of exceptional importance. The importance of petrochemistry is also growing.

food industry- also traditional, produces products for the domestic and foreign markets. The most widely known in the world is Indian tea.

Transport. Among other developing countries, India's transport is quite developed. In the first place in terms of importance are rail transport in domestic transportation and maritime transport in external ones.

Services sector. The largest film producer. Second only to the USA. In recent years, the creation of software products for the largest US corporations (1st place in the world) has been developed.

Agriculture

India is a country of ancient agricultural culture, one of the most important agricultural regions in the world. Three-fifths of India's EAN is employed in agriculture, but the use of mechanization is still insufficient. 4/5 of the value of agricultural products comes from crop production, agriculture needs irrigation (40% of the sown area is irrigated). The main part of the arable land is occupied by food crops: rice, wheat, corn, barley, millet, legumes, potatoes. The main industrial crops of India are cotton, jute, sugar cane, tobacco, and oilseeds. There are two main agricultural seasons in India - summer and winter. Sowing of the most important crops (rice, cotton, jute) is carried out in the summer, during the summer monsoon rains; in winter, wheat, barley, etc. are sown. As a result of several factors, including the Green Revolution, India is completely self-sufficient in grain. Animal husbandry is much inferior to crop production, although India ranks first in the world in terms of livestock. Only milk and animal skins are used, meat is practically not consumed, since Hindus are mostly vegetarians. Fishing is of considerable importance in the coastal regions.

Foreign economic relations

India is still weakly involved in the MGRT, although foreign trade is of no small importance for its economy. The main export items are light industry products, jewelry, agricultural products, medicines, fuel resources; the share of machinery and equipment is growing. The largest trading partners are the USA, Germany, Japan, Great Britain, Hong Kong.

Japan

Territory - 377.8 thousand square meters. km. Population - 125.2 million people (1995). The capital is Tokyo.

Geographical location, general information

Japan is an archipelago country located on four large and almost four thousand small islands, stretching in an arc of 3.5 thousand km from northeast to southwest along the eastern coast of Asia. The largest islands are Honshu, Hokaido, Kyushu and Shikoku. The shores of the archipelago are strongly indented and form many bays and coves. The seas and oceans washing Japan are of exceptional importance for the country as a source of biological, mineral and energy resources. The economic and geographical position of Japan is determined primarily by the fact that it is located in the center of the Asia-Pacific region, which contributes to the country's active participation in the international geographical division of labor. During the feudal period, Japan was isolated from other countries. After the incomplete bourgeois revolution of 1867-1868, it embarked on the path of rapid capitalist development. At the turn of the XIX - XX centuries, it became one of the imperialist powers. In the 20th century, Japan entered and participated in three major wars (Russian-Japanese and two world wars). After the end of World War II, the armed forces were disbanded and reforms were carried out. In 1947, the emperor lost his power (according to the constitution), now Japan is a constitutional monarchy. The highest body of state power and the only body of legislative power is the Parliament.

Natural conditions and resources

The geological basis of the archipelago is underwater mountain ranges. About 80% of the territory is occupied by mountains and hills with a highly dissected relief of an average height of 1600 - 1700 m. There are about 200 volcanoes, 90 are active, including the highest peak - Mount Fuji (3,776 m). Frequent earthquakes and tsunamis. The country is poor in minerals, but coal, lead and zinc ores, oil, sulfur, and limestone are being mined. The resources of its own deposits are small, so Japan is the largest importer of raw materials. Despite the small area, the meridional extent of the country led to the existence of a unique set of natural conditions on its territory: the island of Hokkaido and the north of Honshu are located in the temperate maritime climate zone, the rest of Honshu, the islands of Shikoku and Yushu are in the humid subtropical climate, and the island of Ryukyu is in tropical climate. Japan is in the zone of active monsoon activity. The average annual rainfall ranges from 2 - 4 thousand mm. The soils of Japan are mainly slightly podzolic and peaty, as well as brown forest and red soils. Approximately 2/3 of the territory, mainly mountainous areas, is covered with forests (more than half of the forests are artificial plantations). Coniferous forests predominate in northern Hokkaido, mixed forests in central Honshu and southern Hokkaido, and subtropical monsoon forests in the south. There are many rivers in Japan, full-flowing, fast and rapids, of little use for navigation, but which are a source for hydropower and irrigation. The abundance of rivers, lakes and groundwater have a beneficial effect on the development of industry and agriculture. In the post-war period, environmental problems intensified on the Japanese islands. The adoption and implementation of a number of laws on environmental protection reduces the level of environmental pollution.

Population

Japan is among the top ten countries in the world in terms of population. Japan became the first Asian country to switch from the second to the first type of population reproduction. Now the birth rate is - 12%, mortality - 8% Life expectancy in the country - the highest in the world (76 years for men and 82 years for women). The population is distinguished by national homogeneity, about 99% are Japanese. Of the other nationalities, the number of Koreans and Chinese is significant. The most common religions are Shintoism and Buddhism. The population is unevenly distributed over the area. The average density is 330 people per km2, but the coastal regions of the Pacific Ocean are among the most densely populated in the world. About 80% of the population lives in cities. 11 cities are millionaires. The largest urban agglomerations of Keihin. Hanshin and Chuke merge into the Tokyo Megalopolis (Takaido) with a population of over 60 million.

economy

Non-ferrous metallurgy. Due to the harmful impact on the environment, the primary smelting of non-ferrous metals is reduced. Converting plants are located in all major industrial centers.

Territorial structure of the economy

The territorial structure of the economy is characterized by a combination of two completely different parts. The Pacific belt is the socio-economic core of the country ("front part"). Here are the main industrial regions, ports, transport routes and developed agriculture. The periphery zone ("back part") includes areas where timber harvesting, animal husbandry, mining, hydropower, tourism and recreation are most developed. Despite the implementation of the regional policy, the smoothing of territorial disproportions is rather slow.

Foreign economic relations of Japan.

Table 10 - Demographic and socio-economic indicators of the world, Foreign Asia

Indicators	The whole world	Zarub. Asia	China	India	Japan
Area, thousand km2	132850	27710	9597	3288	372
Population in 1998, million people	5930	3457,6	1255,1	975,8	125,9
Birth rate, ‰	24	24	17	29	10
Mortality, ‰	9	8	7	10	7
natural increase	15	16	10	19	3
Life expectancy, m/f	63/68	65/68	68/72	62/63	77/83
Age structure, under 16 / over 65	62/6	33/5	27/6	36/4	16/14
Share of urban population in 1995, %	45	35	30	27	78
GDP per capita in 1995, $	6050	3950	2920	1400	22110

General economic and geographical characteristics of Asia

Geographical position. general review

Natural conditions and resources

The area is extremely homogeneous in terms of tectonic structure and relief: within its boundaries, the greatest amplitude of heights on earth is noted, both ancient Precambrian platforms and areas of young Cenozoic folding, grandiose mountainous countries and vast plains are located here. As a result, the mineral resources of Asia are very diverse. The main pools of coal, iron and manganese ores, and non-metallic minerals are concentrated within the Chinese and Hindustan platforms. Ores predominate within the Alpine-Himalayan and Pacific fold belts. But the main wealth of the region, which also determines its role in the MGRT, is oil. Oil and gas reserves have been explored in most countries of Southwest Asia, but the main deposits are in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, and Iran. The agro-climatic resources of Asia are heterogeneous. Vast massifs of mountainous countries, deserts and semi-deserts are hardly suitable for economic activity, with the exception of animal husbandry; the provision of arable land is low and continues to decline (as the population grows and soil erosion increases).

Population

economy

There are 6 groups of countries:

2. China and India have also made great strides in economic and social development in a short time. But in terms of per capita indicators, their successes are still small;

5. countries with a predominance in the industrial structure of mining or light industry - Mongolia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Jordan.

Agriculture

In most Asian countries, the bulk of EAN is occupied in agriculture. In general, the region is characterized by a combination of commodity and consumer economy, landownership and peasant land use, a sharp predominance of food crops in the crops. The food problem in many countries has not yet been resolved; in South and Southeast Asia, tens of millions of people are on the verge of starvation. In accordance with the distribution of agro-climatic resources, population and traditions, 3 large areas of agriculture have developed: a rice-growing area (covering the monsoon sector of East, Southeast and South Asia) combined with tea cultivation in higher parts; area of subtropical agriculture (Mediterranean coast); the rest of the territory is dominated by the cultivation of wheat, millet, pasture animal husbandry.

Ecology

As a result of the low culture of managing the economy, the negative anthropogenic impact in foreign Asia is looming large. As a result of intensive mining without environmental protection measures, extensive agriculture, and an increase in the number of inhabitants, atmospheric pollution, depletion of water resources, soil erosion, land alienation, deforestation, and impoverishment of natural biocenoses occur. Frequent conflicts and wars in the region only exacerbate the situation. For example, the Persian Gulf War led to acid rain, dust storms, massive soot and oil pollution of waters and soils, and caused irreparable damage to the fauna and flora of the region. No less notorious is ecocide during the American aggression in Vietnam, when over the course of several years forests were deliberately destroyed on an area of about 0.5 million km2.

China

Territory - 9.6 million km2. Population - 1 billion 222 million people since 1995. Capital - Beijing.

Natural conditions and resources

The country is located within the fragmented Chinese Precambrian platform and younger sites. As part of this, the eastern part is mostly low-lying, and the protected area is elevated and mountainous. Various mineral deposits are associated with a variety of tectonic structures. In terms of their availability, China is one of the leading countries in the world, distinguished primarily by its reserves of coal, non-ferrous and ferrous metal ores, rare earth elements, mining and chemical raw materials. In terms of oil and gas reserves, China is inferior to the leading oil countries of the world, but in terms of oil production, the country has taken 5th place in the world. The main oil fields are located in North and Northeast China, the basins of inland China. Among the ore deposits, the Anshan iron ore basin, located in the coal-rich Northeast China, stands out. Non-ferrous metal ores are concentrated mainly in the central and southern provinces. The People's Republic of China is located in temperate, subtropical and tropical climatic zones, and in the west the climate is sharply continental, and in the east - monsoonal, with a large amount of precipitation (in summer). Such climatic and soil differences create conditions for the development of agriculture: in the west, in arid regions, livestock breeding and irrigated agriculture are mainly developed, while in the east, on the especially fertile lands of the Great China Plain, agriculture prevails. The water resources of the PRC are very large, the eastern, more populated and highly developed part of the country is best provided with them. River waters are widely used for irrigation. In addition, China ranks first in the world in terms of theoretical hydropower resources, but their use is still very small. The forest resources of China as a whole are quite large, concentrated mainly in the northeast (taiga coniferous forests) and in the southeast (tropical and subtropical deciduous forests). They are intensively used in the economy.

Population

China is the first country in the world in terms of population (almost 1,300 million people, or 20% of all inhabitants of the Earth), and it has probably held the palm for many centuries. In the 1970s, the country began to pursue a demographic policy aimed at reducing the birth rate, since after the formation of the PRC (in the 1950s), the population growth rate increased very quickly due to a decrease in mortality and an increase in living standards. This policy has borne fruit and now natural growth in China is even below the world average. China is a young country (under the age of 15 - 1/3 of the population). It is distinguished by the intensity of labor migration, both within the country and abroad. The PRC is a multinational country (there are 56 nationalities), but with a sharp predominance of the Chinese - about 95% of the population. They live mainly in the eastern part of the country, in the west (in most of the territory) there are representatives of other nationalities (Gzhuans, Hui, Uighurs, Tibetans, Mongols, Koreans, Manchus, etc.). Despite the fact that the PRC is a socialist country, Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism are practiced here (in general, the population is not very religious). On the territory of the country is the world center of Buddhism - Tibet, occupied by China in 1951. Urbanization is rapidly developing in China.

economy

Energy

Mechanical engineering and metalworking- occupies 35% in the structure of the industry. The share of production of equipment for the textile industry remains high, while electronics, electrical engineering, and the automotive industry are developing rapidly. The structure of industrial enterprises is diverse: along with modern high-tech enterprises, handicraft factories are widespread. The leading sub-sectors are heavy engineering, machine tool building, and transport engineering. The automotive industry (6th-7th place in the world), electronics and instrumentation are developing rapidly. The predominant part of China's engineering products is produced by the coastal zone (over 60%), and mainly in large cities (the main centers are Shanghai, Shenyang, Dalian, Beijing, etc.).

Agriculture- provides food for the population, supplies raw materials for food and light industry. The leading sub-sector of agriculture is crop production (rice is the basis of the Chinese diet). Wheat, corn, millet, sorghum, barley, peanuts, potatoes, yame, taro, cassava are also grown; industrial crops - cotton, sugar cane, tea, sugar beets, tobacco, and other vegetables. Animal husbandry remains the least developed branch of agriculture. The basis of animal husbandry is pig breeding. Vegetable growing, poultry farming, beekeeping, and sericulture are also developed. Fisheries play an important role.

Transport- provides mainly the connection of seaports with the hinterland. 3/4 of all cargo transportation is provided by rail transport. Along with the recently increased importance of sea, road and aviation, the use of traditional modes of transport is preserved: horse-drawn, pack, transport carts, cycling and especially river.

India

Territory - 3.28 million km2. Population - 935.5 million people. The capital is Delhi.

The Republic of India is located in South Asia on the Hindustan Peninsula. It also includes the Laccadive Islands in the Arabian Sea, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal. India borders on Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar. The maximum length of India - from north to south - 3200 km, from west to east - 2700 km. The EGP of India favors the development of the economy: India is located on the sea trade routes from the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean, halfway between the Middle and Far East. Indian civilization arose in the third millennium BC. e. For almost two centuries India was a colony of England. In 1947, India gained independence, and in 1950 it was proclaimed a republic within the British Commonwealth. India is a federal republic consisting of 25 states. Each of them has its own legislative assembly and government, but while maintaining a strong central authority.

Natural conditions and resources

Population

Industry, energy

Non-ferrous metallurgy also developed in the east. The aluminum industry, based on local bauxites, stands out.

Chemical industry. In a country with such a role of agriculture, the production of mineral fertilizers is of exceptional importance. The importance of petrochemistry is also growing.

food industry- also traditional, produces products for the domestic and foreign markets. The most widely known in the world is Indian tea.

Services sector. The largest film producer. Second only to the USA. In recent years, the creation of software products for the largest US corporations (1st place in the world) has been developed.

Agriculture

India is a country of ancient agricultural culture, one of the most important agricultural regions in the world. Three-fifths of India's EAN is employed in agriculture, but the use of mechanization is still insufficient. 4/5 of the value of agricultural products comes from crop production, agriculture needs irrigation (40% of the sown area is irrigated). The main part of the arable land is occupied by food crops: rice, wheat, corn, barley, millet, legumes, potatoes. The main industrial crops of India are cotton, jute, sugar cane, tobacco, and oilseeds. There are two main agricultural seasons in India - summer and winter. Sowing of the most important crops (rice, cotton, jute) is carried out in the summer, during the summer monsoon rains; in winter, wheat, barley, etc. are sown. As a result of several factors, including the Green Revolution, India is completely self-sufficient in grain. Animal husbandry is much inferior to crop production, although India ranks first in the world in terms of livestock. Only milk and animal skins are used, meat is practically not consumed, since Hindus are mostly vegetarians. Fishing is of considerable importance in the coastal regions.

Foreign economic relations

Japan

Territory - 377.8 thousand square meters. km. Population - 125.2 million people (1995). The capital is Tokyo.

Geographical location, general information

Japan is an archipelago country located on four large and almost four thousand small islands, stretching in an arc of 3.5 thousand km from northeast to southwest along the eastern coast of Asia. The largest islands are Honshu, Hokaido, Kyushu and Shikoku. The shores of the archipelago are strongly indented and form many bays and coves. The seas and oceans washing Japan are of exceptional importance for the country as a source of biological, mineral and energy resources. The economic and geographical position of Japan is determined primarily by the fact that it is located in the center of the Asia-Pacific region, which contributes to the country's active participation in the international geographical division of labor. During the feudal period, Japan was isolated from other countries. After the incomplete bourgeois revolution of 1867-1868, it embarked on the path of rapid capitalist development. At the turn of the XIX - XX centuries, it became one of the imperialist powers. In the 20th century, Japan entered and participated in three major wars (Russian-Japanese and two world wars). After the end of World War II, the armed forces were disbanded and reforms were carried out. In 1947, the emperor lost his power (according to the constitution), now Japan is a constitutional monarchy. The highest body of state power and the only body of legislative power is the Parliament.

Natural conditions and resources

The geological basis of the archipelago is underwater mountain ranges. About 80% of the territory is occupied by mountains and hills with a highly dissected relief of an average height of 1600 - 1700 m. There are about 200 volcanoes, 90 are active, including the highest peak - Mount Fuji (3,776 m). Frequent earthquakes and tsunamis. The country is poor in minerals, but coal, lead and zinc ores, oil, sulfur, and limestone are being mined. The resources of its own deposits are small, so Japan is the largest importer of raw materials. Despite the small area, the meridional extent of the country led to the existence of a unique set of natural conditions on its territory: the island of Hokkaido and the north of Honshu are located in the temperate maritime climate zone, the rest of Honshu, the islands of Shikoku and Yushu are in the humid subtropical climate, and the island of Ryukyu is in tropical climate. Japan is in the zone of active monsoon activity. The average annual rainfall ranges from 2 - 4 thousand mm. The soils of Japan are mainly slightly podzolic and peaty, as well as brown forest and red soils. Approximately 2/3 of the territory, mainly mountainous areas, is covered with forests (more than half of the forests are artificial plantations). Coniferous forests predominate in northern Hokkaido, mixed forests in central Honshu and southern Hokkaido, and subtropical monsoon forests in the south. There are many rivers in Japan, full-flowing, fast and rapids, of little use for navigation, but which are a source for hydropower and irrigation. The abundance of rivers, lakes and groundwater have a beneficial effect on the development of industry and agriculture. In the post-war period, environmental problems intensified on the Japanese islands. The adoption and implementation of a number of laws on environmental protection reduces the level of environmental pollution.

Population

Japan is among the top ten countries in the world in terms of population. Japan became the first Asian country to switch from the second to the first type of population reproduction. Now the birth rate is - 12%, mortality - 8% Life expectancy in the country - the highest in the world (76 years for men and 82 years for women). The population is distinguished by national homogeneity, about 99% are Japanese. Of the other nationalities, the number of Koreans and Chinese is significant. The most common religions are Shintoism and Buddhism. The population is unevenly distributed over the area. The average density is 330 people per km2, but the coastal regions of the Pacific Ocean are among the most densely populated in the world. About 80% of the population lives in cities. 11 cities are millionaires. The largest urban agglomerations of Keihin. Hanshin and Chuke merge into the Tokyo Megalopolis (Takaido) with a population of over 60 million.

economy

Non-ferrous metallurgy. Due to the harmful impact on the environment, the primary smelting of non-ferrous metals is reduced. Converting plants are located in all major industrial centers.

Territorial structure of the economy

Foreign economic relations of Japan.