East Asia(Chinese 东亚, Korean 동아시아, Japanese 東 ア ジ ア, Mong. Dornod Azi) - the eastern part of Asia.

It adjoins the Pacific Ocean in the temperate, subtropical and tropical zones. The relief is characterized by a complex combination of mountains and plains. A significant part of East Asia is located in the Western Pacific geosynclinal belt. Volcanism is inherent (Kamchatka and mountain-island arcs), significant seismic activity.

The climate is monsoon, seasonally humid, typhoons and floods are frequent.

Natural vegetation is represented mainly by forests, in the northern part of the forest mainly mixed and taiga, in the south - broad-leaved subtropical and tropical. In areas with low humidity of the forest-steppe and steppe.

The plains are cultivated and densely populated.

The East Asia region includes the Russian Far East, China, Taiwan, Japan, North Korea, the Republic of Korea and Mongolia.

East Asia

Geographical position. Geological structure. Climatic conditions. Population and environmental problems.

see also East Asia nature photography: China (Beijing) (from the Natural Landscapes of the World section).

Geographical position. East Asia is the outskirts of Eurasia facing The Pacific Ocean... She extends from the Russian Of the Far East to South China. East Asia also includes the islands of Sakhalin, Kuril, Japanese, Taiwan, Hainan (see the map of physical and geographical zoning of Eurasia with links to photographs of the nature of this region). In the absence of structural and geomorphological unity, the natural integrity of East Asia is determined by the features of its climate and organic world.

Geologicalstructure. The mainland part of the region is an ancient land, within which medium-altitude folded-block mountains are combined with accumulative plains. The islands and the seas washing them belong to the Pacific belt, which is experiencing the subsidence of the Pacific plate under the edge of the Eurasian continental plate and the island arcs located in front of it. This belt is marked by the strong development of seismicity and volcanism.

Climaticconditions. The main regularity in the formation of the climate in East Asia is the monsoon circulation, which creates a pronounced difference between the humid warm and dry cold seasons. East Asia is located in the temperate and subtropical zones, and in the south it enters the tropical zone, and the temperature conditions within it change from north to south, but the main features of the monsoon climate remain throughout the region. The monsoon nature of the climate, which can be considered a distinctive feature of East Asia, has left an imprint on almost all aspects of its nature, as well as on the life and economic activities of the population. Another feature is intense cyclonic activity along the tropical and polar fronts, causing catastrophic hurricanes (typhoons).

The climate of East Asia did not undergo significant and sharp changes during the Cenozoic, therefore, the conditions for the formation of the organic world did not change either. In this regard, the flora and fauna of East Asia is characterized by great antiquity and species richness, a mixture of temperate and subtropical and even tropical elements throughout its entire length.

Populationand environmental issues. East Asia belongs to the long and densely populated region of Eurasia; it is characterized by a long-standing and profound change in nature by man and the widespread occurrence of anthropogenic landscapes.

Marginal seas

The most important element of the nature of East Asia is the marginal seas of the Pacific Ocean, located between the mainland and the chains of the East Asian islands. The deep-sea basins of these seas, together with the island arcs and trenches of the Pacific Ocean, experienced significant subsidence at the border of the Neogene and Quaternary.

The marginal seas are partly located within the continental shelf, which reaches its greatest width between 40 and 20 ° N. Occupying a position between the largest continent and ocean on Earth, the seas of East Asia are subject to the effects of monsoon circulation, on which their regime largely depends. On the other hand, deeply dissecting the coast of the mainland, the seas have a great influence on its nature and play a huge role in the life of the population.

Japanese Sea almost entirely corresponds to the tectonic basin. The continental shelf within its limits is narrow, the prevailing depths are more than 2000 m, and the maximum depth is 3720 m. At the same time, the straits connecting the Sea of ​​Japan with the ocean and other seas are shallow. Therefore, the bulk of the waters of the Sea of ​​Japan has a constant temperature (about 0 ° C), and the temperature regime of surface waters under the influence of currents is quite variable from place to place and from season to season. The main inflow of waters into the Sea of ​​Japan occurs from the south, through the Korea Strait. The warm Tsushima Current, which is a branch of the warm Kuroshio Current, heats the part of the sea adjacent to the Japanese Islands, and causes there high fever water on the surface: in winter 13 ° С, and in summer up to 25 ° С. In the northwest, cold deep waters rise to the surface and a cold compensatory Primorsky current is formed, which causes a strong decrease in temperature near the western coasts (in summer up to 13 ° C). In winter, in the northern part of the sea, the water temperature on the surface drops below 0 ° C, about a quarter of the water area is covered with ice annually. The salinity of water in the Sea of ​​Japan is the same everywhere due to the small river runoff and is close to 34% o. Strong winds, especially in winter, cause significant waves. During typhoons, the wave height reaches 12 m. Due to the high seismic activity of the region, tsunami waves are often observed in the Sea of ​​Japan.

The presence of warm and cold waters creates favorable conditions for the development of a rich fauna and flora. More than 600 species of fish are known in the Sea of ​​Japan; a large number of herring, flounder, anchovies, sardines, and salmon are caught. Fishing for seals, crabs, and some molluscs is carried out. As part of a rich flora Sea of ​​Japan a lot of algae of practical importance. Over the past decades, active environmental protection measures have made it possible to significantly improve the ecological situation in the coastal waters of Japan, the state of which in the 60-70s. XX century caused great concern.

Yellow Sea by origin, features of the bottom topography and water regime differs from the Japanese. It juts out very strongly into the mainland and for the most part is located within the continental shelf. The depth of its bays rarely exceeds 30 m, and the maximum sea depth is only 106 m. The Yellow Sea is strongly influenced by the continent and is characterized by large seasonal temperature fluctuations. Summer surface waters in the southern part they warm up to 26 ... 28 ° С, in the north - up to 24 ... 25 ° С. In winter, drifting ice may form in coastal shallow waters in the northern part of the sea, and in the south the water temperature does not exceed 6 ... 8 ° C. Salinity everywhere is somewhat lower than oceanic, and in the bays into which large rivers flow (Yellow, Liaohe, etc.), it decreases to 25% o. The direction and nature of the currents are approximately the same as in the Sea of ​​Japan: along the coast of the Korea Peninsula, there is a flow of relatively warm waters from the East China Sea; in the west, off the coast of the mainland, relatively freshened and cold waters move south. There are high tides in the sea. In Ganghwaman (Chemulpo) Bay on west coast In Korea, their height reaches 9-10 m. Abundantly carried by rivers, especially the Yellow River, the silty and sandy material gives a yellowish tint to the color of the water. Hence the name of the sea comes from. Its waters are rich in various types of commercial fish (herring, sea bream, sardine, mackerel, etc.); mussels and oysters are harvested here in large quantities.

East China Sea less isolated from the ocean than Japanese and Yellow. In the east, it is bordered by a chain of small Ryukyu islands; in the south, on the border with the South China Sea, is the island of Taiwan. The western part of the East China Sea is confined to the continental shoal, where the depth ranges from 30 to 160 m. The eastern part of the basin is occupied by a basin with a maximum depth of 2719 m. In the east, there is a constant warm current that gives rise to the Kuroshio Current. The western part is dominated by seasonal currents associated with monsoon circulation. Typhoons pass over the East China Sea several times a year, moving at a speed of 120 to 450 km / day.

The surface water temperature in summer reaches 26 ... 29 ° C. In winter, the water temperature rises from the northwest to the southeast from 7 to 20 ° C. Salinity in the surface water layer is 32-34% o. In the south and eastern parts coral structures are widespread in the seas. The fauna of the East China Sea is very rich. There are large mammals: whales, dolphins. Many different fish: sardines, flounder, mackerel, tuna, mullet; there are sounding fish from the slab family. Lobsters, crabs and sea cucumbers (sea cucumbers) are also of commercial importance. V last years Due to the increased pollution of coastal areas and the widespread occurrence of oil films, the ecological situation in the East China Sea is deteriorating, which negatively affects the state of its biological resources.

Internal differences within East Asia are determined by the position in different climatic zones, contrasts between the mainland and insular parts and the diversity of structure and relief.

EAST ASIA

The region is formed by 6 countries that border South, Southeast, North and Central Asia, have access to the Pacific Ocean: Japan, Yellow, East China and South China. Until July 1, 1997, the region also included Hong Kong ( former colony Great Britain), which came under the jurisdiction of the PRC and became its Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Since December 20, 1999, the same act was carried out in relation to Macau (the former colony of Portugal), which also became a special administrative region of the PRC - Aomin. Taiwan's position is special. In fact, he was not recognized by the world community, in 1971 he was expelled from the UN, since the power of China was recognized as the only legal representative of power on the island, and Taiwan was its integral part. Taiwan, on the other hand, considers itself the legal representative of the entire mainland China, and the PRC is "a country temporarily occupied by the communists." A bright and large-scale history of the development of the largest state in the region - China, which is the birthplace of one of the most powerful civilizations on the planet, where about 5 thousand years ago one of the most ancient and large cultures of mankind arose. Clothing and written monuments testify that the people reached a significant flourishing of philosophical, technical thought, literature, and art. A thousand years before our era, the Chinese already knew, for example, a magnetic compass. China's iron production is the oldest in the world. Long before the Europeans, the Chinese began to make paper and gunpowder. The idea of ​​printing also originated in China. Chinese porcelain, silk and metal products have long enjoyed well-deserved worldwide fame. The peculiarities of the economic and geographical position of the region include: the shortest land routes through the territory of China and Mongolia from the shores of the Pacific Ocean to European countries; extremely advantageous coastal position (the length of the coastal strip is 18 676 km); the presence of three practically non-freezing seas - the Yellow, East China and South China, which is of exceptional importance for the economy. They provide access to the Pacific Ocean, which accounts for 1/4 of all sea traffic in the world. Large industrial function of the seas, their important role in international transport. The ocean coast is gaining more and more recreational value. All countries in the region are members of the UN (China is one of its co-founders), most countries (except Mongolia and the DPRK) are members of the ATEC, Japan is a member of the G7, and the DPRK is a non-aligned movement.

Natural conditions

Tags: Asia

Eastern Region Asia occupies almost 8% of the Earth's land mass. Its natural conditions are varied. The relief is very difficult. In the west is one of the largest and highest on the globe highlands - Tibet with an area of ​​almost 2 million km2. Surrounded by powerful ridges - Kun-Lun in the Seveea, Karakorum in the west, the Himalayas in the south and the Saint-Tibetan mountains in the east, the highland has numerous internal ridges that reach 6000-7000 m in height, and intermontane plains with a height of 4000-5000 m. the plains are cool even in summer, daytime temperatures do not exceed +10 ... + 15 ° С, there are frosts at night. Winter is long here, with severe frosts (-30 ...- 400 C), winds blow almost constantly, the air is very dry, and precipitation falls up to 100 mm per year, almost the same as in the desert. Therefore, according to the conditions of vegetation landscapes, Tibet is classified as a cold high-mountain desert. The snow line is located at an altitude of 5000-6000 m (the highest position on the globe). Tibet is composed mainly of sandstones, limestones, shales, ridges - mostly granites and gneisses. The region is characterized by high seismic and volcanic activity. Earthquakes occur in the belt of young mountains and are especially frequent in Japanese islands, where there are 150 volcanoes, including 60 active. On average, one notable earthquake occurs every three days. One of the most seismically unsafe is the Tokyo Bay area. Seaquakes and huge tsunami waves caused by them are associated with seismic events in deep-water depressions located several tens of kilometers east of the region. In the east, low mountains alternate with accumulative plains. where the largest is the Great China Plain, the emergence of which is mainly due to the deposits of the Yellow River. Its surface is flat, up to 100 m high, composed of a thick layer of aluvium. There are also low plains on the Korean Peninsula, where they cover 1/4 of the territory. The region is located in three climatic zones (temperate, subtropical and subequatorial). The tropical belt is absent here due to the monsoon circulation. Large areas of Mongolia and Western China (Tibet) stretch in areas of a high-mountain climate (arid). Monsoon air currents blow from the ocean to dry land during the warm season, and vice versa during the cold season. Summer monsoons bring precipitation, which decreases from south to north. In the southeastern part of the region there is 1000-2000 mm of precipitation, in the east - 400-900 mm, in the northeastern part - 250-700 mm. In the monsoon zone, spring and autumn are predominantly arid; therefore, artificial irrigation is widely used in agriculture. Large rivers originate from the Tibetan plateau Asia- Indus, Brahmaputra, Salween, Mekong, Yangtze, Huang He. The eastern mainland and its insular parts have a relatively dense river system, in the west there are very few rivers, and huge deserts and semi-deserts are completely devoid of them. Many rivers are navigable. Without exception, all speech is used for irrigation.

Natural resources.

Tags: Economy

Mineral resources are very rich. Most of them are concentrated in China - one of the "geological barns in the world." The region has significant reserves of coal (there are in all countries, but the maximum reserves are in China, which ranks 1st in the world in terms of its production - 1290 million tons per year), brown coal (northern Mongolia and northeastern DPRK), oil (northeast and west of China, shelf of the seas), oil shale (northeast and south of China). In Japan and South Korea, very few deposits are of industrial importance. Through the eastern territories of the mainland of the region stretches the Pacific metallogenic belt, which is associated with deposits of manganese, tungsten, molybdenum, tin, antimony, mercury and other metals. The largest reserves are in China, North Korea, Mongolia; iron ore - in the north-east of China, copper-molybdenum deposits - in the north of Mongolia (Erdenet deposit). Japan is poor in industrial metal deposits. Nonmetallic minerals form reserves of phosphorites (many in central and southern China, in the north of Mongolia), graphite (South Korea), fluorite (very large reserves in the northeast of Mongolia), sulfur (in Japan, deposits are associated with the volcanic origin of the islands, where the northern regions of Honshu are rich in sulfur). Numerous lakes in Japan, China, and South Korea are a source of fresh water. Agro-climatic resources are favorable (especially in the east). Monsoon climate makes it possible to lead Agriculture in two modes: in dry and wet seasons. In the south, 2-3 harvests are harvested per year. There is an acute shortage of farmable and accessible land in Japan, which is reclaiming new territories from the sea. Therefore, almost 1/3 of its shores are filled or reclaimed, artificial "garbage islands" are widespread. The region is not rich in forest resources. The forest cover of the territory is on average less than 40%. Coniferous forests dominate in the north-east of China, in the north of Mongolia, Japan, mixed - in Japan, northern and central parts of China. Humid tropical (rain) forests have not survived in their natural form, their small tracts grow in southeastern China, in Taiwan. In general, forests are significantly depleted by human economic activity. As a result of pollution by industrial and household waste of land, reservoirs, the atmosphere, the ecological state of the countries of the region has significantly deteriorated. Protected areas are of great importance in the preservation of natural ecosystems.

Population

Tags: Population

Population. The region belongs to the most populated in the world. In 2000, 1439.7 million people lived here, which makes up almost 24% of the population of the entire Earth. China is the most populous country in the world (1222 million people). Demographic features. The overpopulation of the region and the tradition of large families have caused an acute demographic problem, especially in China. This required urgent action on the part of the government, whose demographic policy is aimed at reducing the birth rate and natural population growth. As a result of its implementation, the rate of population growth at the beginning of the 60s of the XX century. accounted for approximately 2% per year, at the end of the 90s - almost 1.3%. The demographic policy in China is based on the following principles: - a one-child family is obligatory for urban residents (slogan: "One family - one child"), but the number of children is not limited in areas inhabited by national minorities; - support at the national level for families with only one child: cash bonuses, subsidies related to medical care, high pensions, priority in providing housing in the city and a personal vegetable garden in the countryside; - Families with two children do not receive food stamps and pay a 10 percent tax on wages; - for rural families with one child, the size of personal plots has been increased; - In 1984, the CPC Congress adopted the slogan "Reward - for one child, progressive punishment - for the third and the next"; - promotion of late marriages. Officially, the age of marriage was raised by 2 years for both articles, to 22 for men and 20 for women. Additional restrictions are also introduced, for example, a categorical prohibition to create families for students, violation of which may cause expulsion from a higher educational institution. However, there is now a resurgence in the tradition of "early marriage"; - free implementation of abortions. The birth rate in 2000 was reduced to 18-20% per year, the mortality rate - to 6-8%. Thus, the natural increase was 12-14%. The PRC gradually moved to the group of countries of the first type of population reproduction. Mongolia, on the contrary, has a huge area, and the population is more than 2.4 million, which is a consequence of the centuries-old tradition of Lamaism (observance of the celibate vow in monasteries, where up to 1/3 of the male population was located until 1921). The ratio of men and women in the region is proportional: women - 49.9%, men - 50.1%. Population under 14 years old is 24%, 15-64 years old - 68%, older age - 8%. Racial makeup. The majority of the region's population (Chinese, Mongols, Koreans) are Mongoloids. The southern Chinese and Japanese are of a mixed racial type (traits of Mongoloids and Australoids). In Japan live Ainu - aborigines who belong to a separate racial group of Australoids.

Ethnic and religious composition

Tags: Asia

The ethnic composition is very heterogeneous. The following language families are represented here: Sino-Tibetan family: - Chinese group. It includes the Chinese (Han), the Dungans (huei) - the Muslim Chinese; - Tibeto-Burmese group. Covers the Yizu peoples, Tibetans (live in the south-west of China), etc .; Altai family: - Mongolian group. it is formed by the Khalkha Mongols (residents of Mongolia), the Mongols of China (living in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region); - Tungus-Manchu group. These are the Manchus (live in northeastern China), who are very assimilated by the Han people; - Turkic group. It includes Uighurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz (live in north-west China); the Japanese are a separate family; Koreans are a separate family; Ainu - a separate family, represented by the natives of Japan, who remained mainly on about. Hokkaido; thai family. Belongs to the Zhuang - the largest people of China from the national minorities (up to 12 million people), who live in the south of the country, the people of Tai, Li, etc .; Austro-Asian family. Form the peoples of Miao, Yao, coffee, who live in the south of China on the border with the countries of Indochina; Austronesian family - Gaoshan (indigenous people of the island of Taiwan). Religious composition. Various religions and their tendencies are widespread in the region. First of all, it is a powerful cell of Confucian culture, which originated in China in the VI-V centuries. BC. Over time, Buddhism penetrated East Asia from India, and the local religions, Taoism (China) and Shintoism (Japan), retained their significance. The peoples of northwest China (Dungans, Uighurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz) are Sunni Muslims. Confucianism is the basis of a specific East Asian civilization. His moral and ethical system provides for a comprehensive regulation of society, group standards of behavior, high discipline and developed moral attitudes. Many Eastern countries Asia are poly-confessional, where several religions coexist.

Accommodation of the population.

Tags: Asia

The peculiarities of natural conditions led to the uneven settlement of people in the region. Japan and Korea are more densely populated (300-400 people / km2). China is populated rather unevenly: according to an average density of 127 people / km2, 90% of the population lives in its east, on 1/3 of the country's area. In Tibet, the population density is less than 1 person / km2. There are generally unpopulated areas. The urbanization processes in the region are very versatile. For example, Japan, South Korea are more urbanized countries in the world (78-81% of urban residents). There are over 250 million city dwellers in China. It is unusual for him to spread the urban way of life to rural settlements. Small villages (100-200 families) are home to 900 million people. The five most numerous metropolitan areas Asia are located in its eastern region: Tokyo (30.3 million), Osaka (16.9 million), Seoul (15.8 million), Chongqing (15 million), Shanghai (13.5 million). China, being a predominantly rural country, has more big cities than anywhere else: more than 100 millionaire cities and almost 50 more cities have a population of over 500 thousand people. The three largest metropolitan areas in Japan - Keihin (Tokyo, Yokohama, Kawasaki, etc.), Hanshin (Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto and up to 100 others), Chukyo (Nagoya and other 80 settlements) - merge into the world's largest urbanized system - the megalopolis of Tokkaido, which stretches for 600 km between Tokyo and Osaka, bringing together over 60 million people. Labor resources. The region possesses huge labor resources both in cities and in villages. Persons of working age - up to 810 million. Most of all employed in the manufacturing industry, their number is rapidly increasing in the financial sector. The share of people employed in agriculture is significant only in China (50%), and in Japan - only 7%, in industrial production- 26% (in China - 15% - the lowest rate in the region). The main social problems in the region are the "aging" of the population and the unevenness of its distribution.

General characteristics of the economy

Tags: Asia, Economy

Construction companies and construction crews

Eastern countries Asia the most heterogeneous in the socio-economic aspect. Japan, South Korea and Taiwan belong to the capitalist countries with a developed mixed economy; China is following a special path of economic development, combining the principles of planned and market economy. Mongolia embarked on the path of economic and political reforms after the domination of a totalitarian regime. North Korea is a unique state where people are still trying to build communism on the basis of a command-administrative system in the economy and a totalitarian regime in politics. In the countries of the region (except Japan), the state has a leading position in economic life. In China and the DPRK, a socialist economic system dominates. The most important means of production are concentrated in the public sector of these countries: industrial, transport and communications enterprises, financial institutions, state agricultural enterprises. In Taiwan, the state controls most of the financial companies and corporations, the entire telecommunications system, metallurgy, railways, shipbuilding, chemical industry, production of building materials, owns 70% of land, controls the banking system. In South Korea, the state regulates macroeconomic parameters, credit and tax spheres, controls financial activities, manages the activities of public sector enterprises, which unites a significant part of the mining regions, infrastructure, the service sector, and railways. In Japan, the public sector is small and operates primarily in the areas of infrastructure. At the local level, the state owns public utilities, transport, schools, hospitals, several thousand companies that are engaged in the construction and operation of municipal housing, toll roads, port facilities, shopping malls and markets, etc. Many large monopolistic associations have close economic ties with the public sector, actively use government loans and loans. At the beginning of the XXI Art. countries in the region have better prospects for economic growth than a decade ago. By becoming economically open, they were able to import the latest technology, knowledge and business practices. Enterprises have become more flexible in their activities, to which they have been pushed by competition and the need to adapt to new economic conditions. In the MSPP, the countries of the region differ significantly in their areas of specialization. Japan excels in knowledge-intensive areas (electronic industry, robotics, automotive, household appliances), belongs to the three world leaders in the development of the chemical industry (especially pharmaceuticals, chemistry of organic synthesis) and biotechnology. The NIS countries have strong positions in the science-intensive areas of mechanical engineering (electronics, production of computers, communications, electronic toys, etc.). South Korea is one of the world leaders in the development of shipbuilding. All NIS countries have a highly developed lung industry(production of fabrics, linen, footwear). China is an important producer of agricultural products (vegetables, fruits, pork, soybeans, tea, raw silk, leather), as well as textiles, metal, individual mechanical engineering products (bicycles, household appliances), food and light industry products (clothing, shoes). Mongolia exports wool, leather, fur and handicrafts from them.

Japan.

Tags: Asia

It is a G7 country, an economic leader in the world in many respects, which ranks third after the United States and China in terms of GNP ($ 3.15 trillion) and second after the United States in terms of industrial production. Its rapid development began in the 50s-60s of the XX century. and over time it was called the "Japanese miracle". Economic growth is associated with the availability of a cheap but skilled labor force in the country, as well as with such Japanese character traits as collectivism and respect for elders. Growth was achieved without foreign loans, at the expense of their own capital, targeted government policy, government planning and protectionism. Japan accounts for up to 12% of world industrial production. It ranks 1st in the world for the production of ships, machine tools, electronics and electronic components, robots; produces over 60% of the world's volume of televisions, 12% of artificial fibers, is the undisputed leader in fish catch (over 12 million tons per year). Among its important achievements is one of the world's largest gold and foreign exchange reserves (over $ 221 billion), huge foreign assets (up to $ 1 trillion). In the mid-1980s, Japan became the largest creditor in the world, and is the second largest shareholder of the International Monetary Fund after the United States (over $ 10 billion). Due to the aggravation of economic contradictions with the main trading partners and increased competition from the newly industrialized countries in the late 80s of the XX century. Japan began restructuring its economy in order to expand domestic demand, increase the role of the service sector and informatics, and further develop its own scientific and technical potential. The priority areas were areas of "high potential growth", high-tech projects and science-intensive areas: telecommunications, microelectronics, fiber-optic materials, aviation and astronautics, medicine, biotechnology, environmental protection, etc. Special attention in Japan is given to science and education, which have become the main structural factor of economic growth. In accordance with the state program for the development of the national system of research and development (R&D), a transition was made from the import of technical achievements to the development of its own, Japanese R&D system. Fundamental measures have been taken to improve personnel training and further develop international scientific cooperation. Large scientific centers have been created that are engaged in developments in the field of solid state physics, nuclear energy, plasma physics, the latest structural materials, space robots, etc. An important role in the Japanese economy is played by a variety of associations, federations, unions, cooperatives, enterprises of all forms of ownership, and other bodies based on sectoral and functional characteristics. The following Japanese companies belong to the leaders of the world economy: Toyota Motors, Matsushita Electric, Sony Corporation, Honda Motors, Hitachi, Takedakemikel Industries, Kenon Inc., Fujitsu, Fuji Photo film ”,“ Bridgestone Corporation ”,“ Nippon Electric Company ”,“ Mitsubishi Heavy Industries ”,“ Toshiba ”and others. Small and medium-sized businesses function effectively in all areas. They are the most active and mobile elements of the market in the development of competition, increasing the competitiveness of goods. Almost 99% of Japanese companies are small and medium-sized businesses. Their role is especially large in the automotive, electronic and electrical fields. Japan has fairly low unemployment rates. Throughout the 70s-80s of the XX century. its level fluctuated within 2-2.8% and only in the 90s slightly exceeded 3%. Japanese management is effective. The country has had a “life-long employment system” for a long time. Taking into account the mentality of the population, work motivation systems function. At the end of XX century. in Japan, foreign exchange reserves grew rapidly. The government introduced a system of measures to liberalize the export of Japanese capital abroad. Today it is the largest banking center and international lender. Its share in international loans increased from 5% in 1980 to 20.6% in 1990. Capital export is the main form of foreign economic activity. Most of all Japanese capital works in the United States (42.2%), countries Asia (24,2 %), Western Europe(15.3%), Latin America (9.3%). The banking system of Japan is formed by state and private banks. Leading positions in the world are held by financial groups "Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi", "Sumitomo Bank", "Sanwa Bank", "Dai-Ichi-Kange Bank", "Fuji Bank", "Industrial Bank of Japan", "Tokai Bank" ...

Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong. DPRK. Mongolia.

Tags: Asia

Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong. They belong to the NIS "first wave" with high indicators of economic development. South Korea ranks 11th in the world in terms of GNP ($ 764 billion). Very high growth rates of its economy (on average 8-12% in the 80s-90s). Taiwan is an important exporter of capital in the world, especially in Southeast Asia(Over the last 5 years of the XX century, investments in this region have reached $ 36 billion). Hong Kong has become a business capital Asia, one of the largest international financial and monetary centers (the third financial capital of the world). Its currency exchange ranks 5th in the world, and over 560 banks are concentrated on the territory, of which 365 are from 50 countries. The decisive factors of the raging development of the newly industrialized countries of the region are a cheap, qualified and disciplined labor force, foreign technologies and capital, guaranteed sales markets in developed countries, and purposeful state policy. With the rise in the cost of labor, these countries are focusing on the development of scientific research and increasing the knowledge intensity of production. Local research and development technology parks are called "silicone greenhouses." DPRK. It is a socialist state with a planned command and control economy. She is experiencing an economic crisis, which is exacerbated by political, ideological and military confrontations with South Korea. It is actively developing a nuclear program, which is of concern to the world community. Mongolia. In the mid-90s, she chose the so-called “centrism” path, the concept of which was largely formulated under the influence of Buddhist philosophy. Mongolia was proclaimed a country that passed to socialism directly from feudalism, bypassing the capitalist stage. But this experiment was unsuccessful. Today it is the arena of active economic interests of its powerful neighbors - China, South Korea and Japan.

China.

Tags: Asia, Population, Economy

In the economy, it combines the command-administrative (planned) and market structures. Since the beginning of reforms (since 1982), China has become one of the most powerful states in the world, the volume of GNP of which amounted to 4.5 trillion dollars in 2000, achieved stability in the economy and politics, and increased the real incomes of citizens by 2-3 times. The socio-economic achievements of the PRC are among the most memorable in the world economic history of the last decades of the XX century. They are reflected in the growth of industrial production, maintaining the leading position in the world in the production of many types of products. China is the world leader in the production of coal, cement, grain, meat, cotton, and holds a leading position in oil and electricity production. The world's leading corporations view China as the most promising country in the world market. According to experts, the capacity of the Chinese market is over $ 300 billion. China actively attracts foreign capital and ranks second after the United States in terms of the number of enterprises with foreign investment. In the mid 90s of the XX century. they accounted for 7.5% of all industrial enterprises and almost 19% of manufactured products. In 1999, such enterprises employed 19 million people, which provided 14.5% of China's GDP. At the end of the 90s of the XX century. the export of Chinese capital has expanded significantly and amounted to $ 18 billion. According to this indicator, it ranks 8th in the world. China will remain one of the countries with the most attractive conditions for foreign investment for a long time to come. Population countries - over 1.2 billion people, and, according to the World Bank, the average wage- only $ 780 per year. Therefore, it is not surprising that in the Chinese economy at the beginning of the XXI century. worked up to $ 39 billion of foreign investment, while in all other large countries of Eastern Asia together - $ 44 billion. Having achieved significant results in economic growth rates, dynamics and volumes of industrial and agricultural production, China, however, continues to lag behind the leading industrial countries and countries with an average developed economy in terms of production, productivity, per capita income and life. Its economy remains isolated from global economic processes - only 1/5 of it depends on foreign trade, which is much less than in all other developed countries Asia... China's huge domestic market is limitless for any manufacturer. And since the stratum of the poor strata of the population is quite significant, an increase in the standard of living in the country for more than one year will mean a directly proportional increase in demand for consumer goods. The peculiarities of the Chinese reforms are of noticeable interest. Despite the fact that the Chinese government constantly emphasizes the "socialist path" of the country's development, the monopolization of power by the Communist Party continues, the country's economy is consistently blazing the path to market foundations. The country is carrying out a large-scale privatization of state property, the financial market is developing dynamically, the tax system is effective, and it has been possible to prevent rampant corruption. Economic reforms in China are far from shock therapy, gradual and rational. Therefore, the country managed not only to avoid a transformational recession, but also to ensure a high dynamism of economic development, a stable improvement in the living standards of the population. The Chinese economic model is based on the following factors: - multivariate forms of ownership - from state to private; - the coexistence of planned and market control levers. The state regulates the economy at the macro level, while the micro level is formed and guided by the market. From the second half of the 80s of the XX century. the postulate spreads in the country: “the state directs the market, the market regulates enterprises”; - distribution by work, supplemented by the principle of distribution by capital, i.e. on share contributions, profits from securities, etc .; - a clear sectoral priority scheme: Agriculture- light industry- heavy industry; - consistent implementation of the policy of openness to the outside world. In the implementation of an open foreign economic policy, China has taken a course towards the creation of free economic zones (FEZ) of different directions. At the end of the 90s of the XX century. more than 120 such entities functioned, which were supported by government policy. In total, the country has, according to various estimates, from 1.7 thousand to 9 thousand economic zones with a variety of preferential treatment. Among them are Syamin (Amoy), Shantou (Swatou), Zhuhai, Shenzhen, about. Hainan and others. China is quite quickly integrating into the world trade and financial system, a milestone in this process was its admission to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Industry

Tags: Asia, Economy

In the late 50s - early 60s of the XX century. the production potential of the region, the basis of which was an easy industry, was reoriented to heavy industry. In recent years, a course has been taken towards the development of knowledge-intensive industries. Fuel and energy complex. The power industry is based on coal mining - raw materials for thermal power plants located in coal basins and large cities. The countries of the region (China and South Korea) have rich hydropower resources, but they use them little. Powerful hydroelectric power plants have been built on the Huanghe, Songhua, and Yangtze rivers, as well as in the mountains of Central Honshu. The total electricity production is 1254.2 billion kWh. Nuclear power plants are widespread. Japan is one of the leaders in the world in the development of nuclear power plants (40 nuclear reactors with a capacity of 195.5 million kW), built under French and American licenses. South Korea (11 nuclear power units with a capacity of 45 million kW), China (2 nuclear power plants with a capacity of 1200 MW) and Taiwan (6 units) are actively developing nuclear power. Uranium raw materials are supplied mainly from Africa. Nuclear development is carried out in the DPRK. The search for new energy resources is being intensively carried out. On about. Honshu has a small geothermal station, a research solar thermal station. China is already operating, and Japan is building small tidal stations. In China, they also use non-commercial fuels (agricultural and logging waste, reeds, etc.). Ferrous metallurgy. One of the most developed areas of the region. In many countries, full-cycle metallurgical plants operate, which produce pig iron, steel, and rolled products. The modernized metallurgy of Japan is one of the most powerful in the world. The leader of the Japanese metallurgy, a powerful and influential corporation - "Nippon Seitetsu" - unites over 500 companies, organizations and scientific institutions with an annual capital turnover of several billion dollars. Japan annually produces 101.7 million tons of steel - the most in the world. The main regions for the development of China's ferrous metallurgy (95.4 million tons of steel annually) are northeast and north. Non-ferrous metallurgy. Less developed than black. The growing demand for non-ferrous metals stimulates a constant increase in their production. The largest producers are China (tin, copper, antimony, lead) and Japan (aluminum, copper, lead). Bauxite and ore raw materials are imported from the countries of the South-East Asia, Latin America, Africa. The PRC is one of the world leaders in the production of rare earth metals. Mechanical engineering and metalworking. These are one of the most developed regions in the region, the production of which amounts to over 53 thousand types of products - from mining equipment and tractors to different types equipment and computers. The production of machine tools, especially automatic machine tools in Japan, and metalworking in China, acquired significant development. Japan holds the 1st place in the world in terms of production of industrial robots. Automotive industry... Japan, since 1981, firmly held the 1st place in the world in terms of the number of cars produced, losing in 1998 to the United States. Every year the leading concerns of Japan - Toyota, Nissan, Honda and others - produce over 10.5 million cars. The competitiveness of Japanese cars is achieved by their comparable cheapness, efficiency and reliability. Until recently, South Korea held a strong position in the global automotive market (2.5 million units), but after the financial collapse at the country's main automotive concern, DEU, this area suffered significant damage. Electronics and electrical engineering have become important industries in recent years. Japanese electronic industry represented by the concerns "Sony", "Hitachi", "Mattsushita", "Toshiba", produces 60% of televisions in the world, is a powerful manufacturer of industrial robots, machine tools with numerical control, certain types of microprocessors, video recorders. South Korea is one of the leading manufacturers of electronic and electrical products for household use: 11 of its corporations belong to the list of the 500 largest in the world, and 4 to the 100 largest Hong Kong is known in the world market for the production of gaming machines, watches, televisions, tape recorders, microcomputers , electronic toys, integrated circuits, radio components, etc. China is also intensively developing the electronic and electrical industries (Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Shanzhou, Xiamin and Pudong), where the production of electronic equipment for military aircraft, missiles, artificial earth satellites and space equipment; and a variety of consumer electronics. Taiwan specializes in the production of computers and displays. The leaders in world shipbuilding are South Korea and Japan, whose companies produce river and sea vessels, multi-tonnage special vessels: dry cargo, tankers, container ships, timber carriers, refrigerators, etc. The region's shipyards annually launch half of the newly built vessels in the world. For many years, Japan has been ranked 1st in the world in terms of their production (8.5 million bbl.-register, t), and South Korea - 2nd place (6.2 million bbl.-register, t). Taiwan is one of the world's leading sports yachts. The production of equipment for the textile, sewing and knitting industries is also developed, and in the manufacture of household sewing machines, China is one of the first in the world. It is the leader in the production of bicycles (it produces 41 million units annually). Chemical industry... The areas of basic chemistry prevail, primarily the production of mineral fertilizers (China ranks second in the world in terms of their production after the United States - 23.2 million tons). In Japan, the potential of the fields of organic chemistry (the production of synthetic fibers and plastics), biochemistry (the production of effective medicinal products, crop protection products), and the production of vitamins is powerful. Petrochemical production in the region is represented by large plants located in ports that import oil. The chemical and pharmaceutical industry is successfully developing (China is one of the largest manufacturers of medicines, the main center for the production of medicines is Shanghai). Easy industry... A traditional area for all countries in the region. The greatest development was in China, which produces 1/4 of the world's cotton fabrics (18.3 billion m2) and 1/10 of chemical fiber fabrics. China is the birthplace of sericulture. For many centuries it maintained a monopoly on the production of silk fabrics and is now a leading manufacturer and exporter of natural silk fabrics. Silk, especially natural silk, Chinese fabrics are prized all over the world for their high quality... In terms of the total production of all types of fabrics, China came out on top in the world. The largest textile center in the region is Shanghai. Taiwan is one of the world leaders in the production of footwear (especially sportswear), sportswear and equipment (tennis rackets, balls, etc.). In Mongolia, the production of wool (sheep and camel) is traditionally developing, which is used for the manufacture of fabrics, carpets, felt, felt shoes, and leather production has also been established. Hong Kong is famous for its jewelry business, it is widely developed in the production of toys, it is one of the world leaders in the production of fur products. In Japan, ceramic production has always occupied an important place, and in its modernized form it plays a significant role even now. Traditionally, porcelain and earthenware, ceramics, carpets and mats, and embroidery were made in China. Carving on bone, wood, stone is widespread. These and other decorative and artistic goods are successfully exported. Food industry... It covers over 50 industries, the leading among which are the processing of grain, oil and sugar crops, brewing, tea and fish industries. Meat and dairy products are progressing dynamically. industry An important place in China is occupied by the tobacco region, which produces not very strong cigarettes. The industry of the leading countries of the region is intensively developing high-tech science-intensive industries.

Central and East Asia are vast areas that occupy one fourth of the Eurasian continent (12 million km 2). The Mongolian People's Republic (about 2.3 million people), the People's Republic of China (more than 1200 million people), Korea (two states - the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea - a total of about 68 million people), as well as Japan (over 125 million people).

Most of the territory of this part of Eurasia is occupied mountain systems... Only in the coastal, eastern part are lowlands, for example, the Great Plain of China. There are even fewer plains on the Japanese Islands and the Korean Peninsula. The southwestern part of East Asia is occupied by the largest plateau on Earth - Tibet. This is where a lot starts big rivers, including two great Chinese rivers - the Yellow River and the Yangtze. In the western part of the region, the climate is sharply continental. Very little precipitation falls. The Taklamakan Desert (one of the most arid in the world) and the Gobi are located here. The amount of precipitation increases as you get closer to the ocean. The climate of China, temperate in the northeast, becomes subtropical and tropical in the south.

Central and East Asia has been inhabited by people for a very long time. In the Zhoukoudian cave (not far from Beijing), bones were found of a primitive man - Sinanthropus (close in structure to the Javanese Pithecanthropus), who lived here about 400 thousand years ago. At the turn of the III and II millennium BC. e. the first state in this part of Asia arose in the Yellow River basin. In 221 BC. e. the ruler of China assumed the title of emperor. In the history of the Chinese Empire, there was a constant struggle with the northern nomads (including the Huns), civil strife broke out, weakening the state. In the first centuries of our era in the northern steppe belt of East and Central Asia, a strong state was formed - the Turkic Khaganate, which existed until the 7th century. n. e. The Turks were replaced by the Khitan, later (in the XIII century) China was conquered by the Mongols, and in the XVII century.

Manchus. In the XIX-XX centuries. China underwent expansion from the west European states and Japan. All these events affected the political and cultural development of not only China and the Chinese, but also other states and peoples of Central and East Asia.

Anthropologically, almost the entire population of Central and East Asia belongs to various branches of the great Mongoloid race; only the Uighurs are Caucasians (with a slight Mongoloid admixture).

The languages ​​of the peoples inhabiting Central and East Asia form six large language families. The languages ​​of the Altai family are spoken by the Uighurs (about 7 million people), Kazakhs and Kyrgyz Central Asia and Kazakhstan). The languages ​​of these peoples are included in the Turkic group. The Mongolian language, which is part of the Mongolian group of languages ​​of the Altai family, is spoken by the Mongols of China (more than 4 million people), the Mongols of the Mongolian People's Republic (more than 2.2 million people) and the Oirats. The same family (its Tungus-Manchu branch) also includes the languages ​​of the Manchus (10 million people; however, the overwhelming majority of them now speak Chinese) and very few peoples settled in the Amur region. Most researchers admit that they belong to Altai family Korean and Japanese.

The Sino-Tibetan (i.e. Sino-Tibetan) family is represented by languages ​​that fall into two groups. The Chinese group includes the languages ​​of the Chinese (about 1 billion 200 million people) and Dungan (more than 8 million people). The Tibeto-Burmese group is the Tibetans (about 5 million people) and the Yizu (over 6 million people).

The Thai family includes the Zhuang language (more than 15 million people). They are the most numerous people in China, after the Chinese.

Several languages ​​are included in the Austro-Asian language family, the most common of them are the languages ​​of the Miao peoples (about 6 million speakers) and Yao (2 million). Japanese and Korean languages ​​are brought closer to the Altai language family.

The subcontinent East Asia occupies the Pacific edge of the continent of Eurasia from the Russian Far East to southern borders China. Its western borders (outside Russia) run along the Big Khingan, the eastern edge of the Alashan desert, at the foot of Eastern Tibet (Sikan). To the south, East Asia extends to about 20 ° N. sh., that is, it goes within tropical belt... To the east, the region is washed by the marginal seas of the Pacific Ocean, which have a very large impact on the nature of the region. The Russian Far East, in terms of its natural properties, belongs to this subcontinent, but its features are considered in the course of physical geography of Russia.

Within the limits of overseas East Asia, four physical and geographical countries are usually distinguished. Three of them are on the mainland. These are Northeast China and Korea, Central China and South China. In addition, the subcontinent traditionally includes the Japanese islands, the nature of which is similar in many respects to the mainland of the region.

East Asia was formed on a basis of different ages (from the Precambrian structures of the Chinese Platform to the modern Pacific mobile belt). Only at the last stages of the history of the development of the region, the processes of its formation were more or less the same. The subcontinent is stretched from north to south from temperate to tropical latitudes, and therefore is located in three climatic zones. The common features of nature within East Asia are explained by the close proximity to the Pacific Ocean and its seas, as well as, to some extent, by the Quaternary history of development. The interaction of the vast ocean with the massive continent creates special conditions for circulation. All of East Asia is characterized by features of a monsoon climate. The almost complete absence of sublatitudinal mountain barriers contributes to the free penetration of the winter monsoon air flow far to the south, and the summer monsoon to the north. The same circumstance helps the exchange of species of the organic world between the northern and southern parts of the region. The neotectonic stage of the formation of the surface of the subcontinent was distinguished by very active movements crust accompanied by faults and outpourings of lavas. This is apparently due to the fact that the region is closely adjacent to the mobile Pacific subduction zone.

As a result, features of nature are observed that are common to the entire subcontinent.

The dominance of a monsoon climate with dry and relatively cold winters with a predominance of anticyclonic weather and rainy warm summer... Summer maximum precipitation is typical for the entire region, but the share of summer precipitation in their total amount decreases from northern to southern regions. The formation of climates is greatly influenced by cyclonic activity.

It manifests itself in different ways and in different seasons, but is common throughout the subcontinent. A significant place in climatic conditions is occupied by tropical cyclones (typhoons), which spread along the coast of the mainland far to the north beyond the tropics.

Full-flowing rivers have a monsoon flow regime with a summer maximum. The increase in summer runoff is facilitated by the melting of snow in the mountains, where the main rivers of the region originate. In the middle and lower reaches, most rivers flow over flat plains where they deposit a lot of solid material. River flow is notable for its inconsistency: water discharge often changes, and sometimes the position of the channels.

The antiquity of the organic world is characteristic, which was formed starting from the Paleogene, and perhaps from the end of the Mesozoic in more or less homogeneous climatic conditions. During the periods of the Pleistocene glaciations of Eurasia with a cooling of the climate, plants and animals freely "retreated" to the south and then returned just as freely to more northern regions. This contributed to the formation of biocenoses with an exceptionally rich species composition, the preservation of relict species in the flora and fauna, and the interchange of species characteristic of different climatic zones.

There are some common features in the structure of the surface of the region, especially its continental part. It is dominated by protrusions of ancient structures in combination with tectonic depressions filled with alluvial, sometimes lacustrine deposits. There are traces of ancient volcanism as a result of tectonic instability of the region, which is located between large mobile belts near the interaction zone of large lithospheric plates. Basalt covers are widespread.

The territory of the subcontinent has long been densely populated by people. Climatic conditions and availability vast plains with fertile soils contributed to the development of agricultural production in the region for millennia. As a result, the natural vegetation cover is very poorly preserved, and the soils are cultivated. In many areas it is impossible to understand what conditions were here before the appearance of man. Even the slopes of low mountains have been transformed beyond recognition into systems of anthropogenic terraces.

Northeast China and the Korean Peninsula

The region is located in the north of overseas East Asia within the temperate climatic zone with a pronounced monsoon circulation. Its borders are drawn in the north along the state borders of Russia, in the west - along the Great Khingan and the eastern outskirts of the Ordos plateau, in the south - along the foot of the Qinling ridge and along the watershed of the Yellow He and Yangtze river basins. In the east, the region has a wide front towards the Pacific Ocean and its seas - the Yellow and Japanese. The northern border is not natural, but political, the southern border is climatic, which means it is indistinct: on the Great Plain of China, the landscapes of the region are gradually replaced by those of Central China. The territory is occupied by the northeastern provinces of China, North and South Korea. It is interesting that along the natural boundary between the region and the Central Asian regions, the Great Chinese Wall- a structure that protected the agricultural population from the raids of nomadic pastoralists in Central Asia.

The basis of the region is the Sino-Korean Precambrian and Mongol-Dunbei Epipaleozoic platforms, which experienced differentiated vertical movements along faults in the Cenozoic. Basement protrusions form, in most cases, medium-altitude and low block or folded block mountains, and thick strata of river and lacustrine alluvium have accumulated in the depressions.

Mountain ranges, composed mainly of crystalline rocks, are distinguished by their low height, the presence of leveling surfaces at different heights. Their slopes, as a rule, are strongly dissected by tectonic faults and erosion.

Plains formed in syneclises.

In the north, the South Manchurian and Central Manchurian accumulative lowlands, formed within the Songliao syneclise, are connected with the Central Amur and Khanka lowlands. In the east, the Great Plain of China is located in a young (Neogene) trough between the protrusions of the ancient basement, which is filled with a thick (hundreds of meters) layer of alluvium of the river. Yellow River interbedded with loess. Among the plain and along its outskirts, low mountain ranges on the ledges of the foundation (Taishan, Taihangshan, etc.). A special place is occupied by the Loess Plateau. The thickness of crystalline and sedimentary rocks here is overlapped by loesses, which play a landscape-forming role. The ancient erosional relief is leveled by thick (up to 100-250 meters) loess deposits. The plateau in the west has heights of 2000-2200 meters and an uneven surface, and in the east it descends to 1200 meters and is flat plain, dissected by a dense network of ravines and gullies formed as a result of erosion of loess strata. Loess is also common in other regions of Northeast China. They block the bottoms of the valleys, and in some places also the mountain slopes.

A characteristic feature of the structure of the region's surface is numerous faults, pre-Cenozoic intrusions and Cenozoic volcanism. Young lava plateaus dissected by erosion are widespread (Changbai Shan in Korea covers an area of ​​500x250 km). The region is prone to earthquakes.

Monsoon option temperate climate characterized by large temperature amplitudes and uneven distribution of precipitation throughout the year.

Here there are dry cold winters (average January temperatures - up to -20 ° С and even up to -28 ° С) and humid warm summers (average July temperatures - 15-26 ° С). During the summer season, up to 80% of precipitation falls, mainly in the form of heavy rains during the passage of cyclones of the Pacific polar front, carrying tropical marine air in the warm sector. A milder climate is typical only for the southern part of Korea, where winter temperatures are mostly positive. As in areas sharply continental climate, there is usually a dry, cool spring, and part of the snow evaporates before it melts. Autumn is usually warm and dry. Annual rainfall within the region varies greatly, from 1200 mm in the east to 300 mm in the northwest.

The region is often exposed to typhoon invasions in late summer and early fall. Sometimes in the summertime, the impact of continental air masses from Central Asia intensifies; in such years, there are severe droughts.

The rivers belonging to the Amur, Liaohe and Yellow He basins have a pronounced monsoon regime with summer floods. The rise in water in the spring-summer season is enhanced by the melting of snow in the mountains. In the north, the flow is somewhat regulated by swamps and lakes, the largest of which is Khanka. The rivers are freezing. They carry out into the sea a huge amount of solid material, the main share of which is loess.

The Yellow River, the Yellow River, carries especially a lot of mud. On the Great Chinese Plain, it meanders, forms numerous oxbows, often its channel is raised above the interfluvial spaces. The river often changes the location of its channel and mouth. The modern Yellow River Delta, which arose a hundred years ago, has advanced 20 km into the sea, despite the fact that tectonic subsidence is taking place here.

The originality of the region's vegetation is explained both by modern ecological conditions (humid warm summers and severe winters with little snow) and by the history of its formation. During the periods of cooling and warming of the Pleistocene glaciation, the change of xerothermal and pluvial epochs, plant migration and adaptive speciation took place. From here big variety and the presence of relict groups. According to many indications, most of the region was previously occupied by forest vegetation. Forests are still preserved in the north and on the mountain slopes.

The northwestern regions are characterized by taiga with a predominance of Daurian larch; to the south, an admixture of deciduous species (oak, birch, poplar, etc., often represented by endemic species) increases. Shrub undergrowth is rich. But the mixed and deciduous forests of the south and east of the region are especially distinguished by the richness and originality of the species composition. They grow Korean cedar, black fir, Mongolian oak, Manchurian walnut, linden and ash, Amur velvet (Far Eastern cork tree), and numerous wild fruits. These forests are characterized by a dense shrub layer. There are many powerful lianas - actinidia, lemongrass, vineyard, wild Amur grapes, etc. This gives the forests a peculiar "tropical" look. A relict plant with unique medicinal properties, - ginseng. The forest vegetation is poorly preserved, greatly modified, in particular, as a result of selective felling, the proportion of conifers has been artificially reduced in it. In the lowlands of the central part of the region, within the Loess Plateau and in some areas of dry mountain slopes, the native type of vegetation is steppe, but the steppe flora is almost not preserved.

Under the forests, brown and gray forest soils were formed, podzolized to varying degrees, on the low-lying plains under the steppe vegetation - chernozems and chestnut, and in some places - desert burozems. The flat lowlands are often swampy. The processes of salinization are quite widespread; there are salt marshes, salt licks and malts. Chestnut soils prevail on the Loess Plateau.

The fauna of the region was formed in the same way as the flora - animals migrated and adapted to changing conditions.

The forests are inhabited by bears - brown and black (Himalayan), Ussuri tiger, leopard (leopard), forest cat, raccoon dog, sable, marten, red deer, sika deer, musk deer, numerous rodents, bats, etc. Many different birds , the fauna of reptiles and fish is peculiar. Insects are often brightly colored and grow to large sizes.

The fauna of the steppes is close to the Mongolian.

The region has large natural resources - land (flat areas with fertile soils), agroclimatic (a climate with a humid warm summer), forest (except for trees with valuable wood, there are medicinal plants - ginseng, lemongrass, etc., forests are rich in fur animals), mineral ... Of the latter, the most important are coal, iron ore and gold. There is large deposits aluminum, magnesium and tungsten ores.

Great Plain of China, Loess Plateau, Korean p-in- Areas of long-standing settlement and intensive land development. The rural population in some places reaches high density... All that are suitable for cultivation on the plains and gentle mountain slopes are plowed up. Natural landscapes have been changed here to such an extent that it is often impossible to determine their original state. This especially applies to the regions of the north of the Great Plain of China.

Many cultivated plants originated from the region. Rice, gaoliang, soybeans, corn, cotton, fruit trees are grown.

The population has to deal with land degradation, especially intense erosion, flooding caused by summer floods and the passage of typhoons.

Central China

This region occupies the territory of the subtropical belt within East Asia. It is located in the river basin. The Yangtze, in the north includes the Qinling Mountains, in the west it borders on the Tibetan Plateau at the foot of the Sino-Tibetan Mountains. In the east, Central China faces the seas of the Pacific Ocean, in the south, the border runs along the watershed of the Yangtze and Xijiang basin rivers. Here the subtropical climate is replaced by a hotter tropical one.

The peculiarities of the nature of the region are determined by the well-defined features of the monsoon climate and the position within the South China ancient platform and the zone of Paleozoic folding, which manifested itself in the north and east. An important role, as elsewhere in East Asia, was played by the history of the development of the region's nature in the last stages.

Most of Central China is medium-high and low mountains of different origins.

In the north, there is a rather high (up to 4000 m) Qinling Ridge, formed in the Hercynian Orogenic epoch as a continuation of the Central Asian system. The mountains are usually flat-topped and cut by deep gorges. To the south stretches the low ridge Dabashan, and the depression between these mountains is occupied by the wide valley of the river. Han Shui. Further to the south, a system of low mountains begins, formed as a result of Mesozoic movements that swept the sedimentary cover of the platform. The Yangtze cuts through the ridges, and a chain of hollows has formed along its course, the largest of which is the Sichuan (Red Basin), filled with a thick layer of loose red sediments. All the basins were previously occupied by lakes, and in the lower reaches they have survived to this day, playing a large role in regulating the river flow. South of the Yangtze, the surface is a system of gently sloping mountains, usually up to 2,000 meters high (box-shaped anticlines) and wide synclinal valleys (Wuyishan and Nanling highlands). The ridges approach the coast, forming the riass coast. In the west, on the raised structures of the platform basement, there is the Yunnan Highlands and, to the east of it, the Guizhou Plateau, up to 1000 meters high, composed of limestones.

Climatic conditions are characterized by a significant degree of continentality, despite the coastal position of the region as a whole.

The annual amplitudes of mean monthly temperatures reach almost 30 ° C due to the abnormally cold winter for these latitudes (the influence of a strong and stable winter monsoon). There are cold snaps to subzero temperatures. Rainfall versus more northern region significantly increases due to the development of cyclonic activity on the polar front, which occurs between monsoon and trade winds and local air masses... Cyclonic activity intensifies in summer, but does not stop completely in winter, which reduces the seasonal difference in precipitation. There is practically no dry season in the Yangtze Valley. The region is prone to typhoons, during which several hundred millimeters of rain can fall at once.

The rivers of the Yangtze Basin flow in wide valleys, but break through and mountain ranges forming thresholds. Their regime is typically monsoon. In summer, there are floods, especially during typhoons, when heavy rains are combined with surge winds. The downstream flow of the Yangtze is regulated by lakes, in which it accumulates when the river level rises. A network of reservoirs has also been created.

The organic world is characterized by a mixture of southern and northern groups of plants and animals, as well as an abundance of relict species.

Subtropical forests of evergreen magnolias, laurels, camphor, tung trees, ginkgoes, conifers - cypresses, podocarpuses, southern pines have an admixture of deciduous - oak, beech, hornbeam, birch, etc. The lower tiers are formed by bamboos, camellias, fan palms, ferns, sagas , vines are numerous. These forests may contain such combinations as orchids on birches or raspberries in the undergrowth of an evergreen forest. Qingming forms a rather sharp divide between the vegetation of the temperate and subtropical belts... Among the animals, tropical leopards, panda, Himalayan bear, macaques, gibbons, lemurs, viverra, etc. are widespread.

Central China has the richest natural resources. Its bowels contain huge reserves of ore minerals: iron (including magnetite), tungsten, tin, molybdenum, copper, lead, zinc, manganese ores. Antimony deposits are exceptionally rich. There is gold and silver. Agro-climatic conditions allow growing rice, cotton, tea bush, citrus, tung and mulberry trees, tobacco and other crops. Its flat areas, valleys and hollows, the lower slopes of the mountains are cultivated and occupied by agricultural crops. In the Red Basin, the growing season reaches 300 days and a year. You can get two crops of different crops.

The region is extremely densely populated. Natural conditions strongly modified by anthropogenic impact. Forests have survived only in the mountains and around the temples. A number of nature reserves and reserves have been created, in which the few remnants of subtropical forests and their inhabitants are protected. Flood control is very important for the inhabitants of the region. The irrigation culture is high here.

South China

This small region occupies the southern edge of the subcontinent. In the south it borders on Indochina (approximately along the tectonic valley of the Red River and the foot of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau), in the west it is bounded by the Sino-Tibetan Mountains. Its main difference from other parts of East Asia is hot climate (middle January above 13 ° C). This determines the uniqueness of the nature of the region.

According to the conditions of circulation of the Earth's atmosphere, the climate is usually referred to as subequatorial belt... Indeed, in the summer, equatorial and tropical marine comes here with the monsoon, and there is a lot of precipitation.

However, winter is not dry here (10-12% annual quantity precipitation) and cold (in the tropics, the average January temperature is 13 ° C and there are frosts), which is uncharacteristic for the subequatorial climate with its usually even code of high temperatures. Cold winters are associated with the penetration of the continental monsoon here from the north, and precipitation in winter (as in subtropical Central China) is associated with the action of cyclones of the polar front. The total amount of precipitation in the region is high - 1500-2000 mm. Most of all, the features of the subequatorial climate are expressed on the island. Hainan, where only 7% of the annual rate falls during the winter, but the temperature range still reaches 11 ° C.

The surface of the region is low and medium-altitude mountains and hilly hills. Highest altitude(above 3000 meters) the mountains reach on about. Taiwan.

The main river in South China, the Xijiang, has a more even flow than other rivers in East Asia.

In some places, the tropical evergreen and deciduous forests of the South Asian type are well preserved, despite the intensive use of the land. Above them in the mountains, subtropical evergreens grow, and above 1800 m - coniferous forests.

In conditions of high temperatures and good moisture, agriculture is developed in the region. Tropical crops are grown in the valleys, and subtropical crops are grown on terraced mountain slopes. In the low-lying areas, there are rice fields everywhere. Xijiang is a fish river. The inhabitants of the estuary have also been engaged in pearl mining for a long time.

Already passed under the jurisdiction of China in July 1997.

The region under consideration contains countries different types and different levels of socio-economic development.

According to the economic-geographical typology, Japan belongs to the group of economically highly developed states (after the United States, it ranks second in the world in terms of economic power). China and the DPRK are still socialist states, Mongolia is called a post-socialist country, and Taiwan and the Republic of Korea () belong to the group of developing states (although, according to the level of its economic development, the Republic of Korea, according to many scientists, can already be classified in the group economically) ... Macau is a non-self-governing territory.

Japan, the only highly developed state in the region, is a constitutional monarchy. According to the current constitution, the emperor is "a symbol of the state and the unity of the people." Supreme body state power and the only legislative body in the country - parliament.

In 1931, Japanese troops occupied Manchuria, and in 1937 they started a war against China. Having entered into an alliance with the Nazi and Fascist, during the Second World War on December 7, 1941, with its attack on Pearl Harbor (Hawaiian Islands, USA), militaristic Japan unleashed a war against the United States. In 1942, she occupied large territories in the South: Peninsula, Malaya, Burma, which significantly increased the colonial possessions of Japan. But these territories were previously colonies of European states (Great Britain,), that is, the situation in the region could not be calm - open hostilities were conducted here during the Second World War. It was during this period that local national liberation movements began to gain strength and gain strength.

Germany and its allies Second World War was lost. On September 2, 1945, Japan surrendered under the blows of the armed forces of the countries of the anti-Hitler coalition. Post-war events unfolded as follows.

Under the terms of the peace treaty with Japan, Korea was promised independence. Northeastern China (Manchuria), the island of Taiwan (Formosa) and other Chinese islands seized by Japan were supposed to be returned. The Soviet Union came back South Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands, which once belonged to Russia, were transferred.

During the hostilities in this area, the Americans occupied all, as well as the Caroline, which were under Japanese rule, and Mariana islands c (later on behalf of the United States exercised custody of the islands). It entered the zone of American occupation and southern part The Korean Peninsula (up to the 38th parallel), and the northern one was occupied by Soviet troops.

We signed the so-called Security Guarantee Treaty with Japan, which gave them the right to keep their armed forces there and establish military bases. In 1960, the United States and Japan signed a new agreement on mutual cooperation and security guarantees, which is automatically extended.

Currently, there are two states on the Korean Peninsula with different political systems: the DPRK and the Republic of Korea.

Korea is one of the oldest states in East Asia with a unique history and culture. The first information about it dates back to the II millennium BC. Single feudal state formed back in the 7th century. The last royal dynasty lasted from 1392 to 1910. During the Russian-Japanese war of 1904-1905. Korea was occupied by Japan. After World War II (in 1945), the country was divided along the 38th parallel, which became the dividing line between Soviet and American troops.

In 1948, the Republic of Korea (South Korea) was officially proclaimed in Seoul, and North Korea - in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). In 1950-53. there was a war on the peninsula, which was the result of an acute confrontation between the two republics on the issue of uniting the country. The post-war ceasefire agreement is still in force. An important event was the entry in 1991 of both Korean states into the UN.

Mongolia is a country that also has a long history of its existence. The founder of the first unified state at the beginning of the XIII century. was Genghis Khan. Later, in the 17th century, Mongolia was conquered by the Manchus in parts and until 1911 was part of the Qing Empire. Then the independence of the country was proclaimed and the national statehood was restored in the form of unlimited feudal-theocratic. In 1915, the status was limited by the framework of broad autonomy under the suzerainty of China and the patronage of Russia (later, Chinese troops were introduced into the country).

In 1921, as a result of the struggle of the Mongolian people for liberation, the victory of the people's revolution was proclaimed. Mongolia has become people's republic(Mongolian People's Republic) and for many years developed in close cooperation with the USSR. Foreign trade was for the member countries of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA), and the main trading partner was the Soviet Union.

At present, Mongolia (Mongol Uls) is a "post-socialist state", a republic with a presidential form of government, an agrarian-industrial state. In the early 90s, former socialist associations were transformed into joint-stock companies, and the privatization of livestock was mainly completed. The country is undergoing reforms in order to move from a planned system to a market economy.

China is one of the oldest, dating back to the XIV century. BC e. On its territory, during the slaveholding and feudal periods of development, centralized empires repeatedly appeared, disintegrating into independent principalities. From the 17th to the 20th centuries the country was ruled by the Manchu Qing dynasty, which with its policy brought the country to the position of a semi-colonial state. In the XIX century. China became the object of the colonial expansion of a number of imperialist powers (Great Britain, Japan, Germany, etc.).

Major event in Newest history China was the Xin Hai Revolution (1911-1913), which overthrew the Manchu monarchy and proclaimed the Republic of China. During the war against Japanese aggression in China (1937-45), the USSR rendered great assistance to the Chinese people. In 1949, after the defeat of the Japanese Kwantung Army and the completion of the people's revolution, the People's Republic of China was formed on the mainland.

And to the island of Taiwan (or the island of Formosa - the former possession of Japan), the remnants of the Go-Mindang regime that was overthrown in the country fled. There, the "government of the Republic of China" was established. According to the current constitution in Taiwan, the Taipei regime is a republic headed by a president. The highest representative body is the National Assembly. Currently, the government of Taiwan claims to be represented in the world community on behalf of all of China, the mainland of which, according to Taipei, is "temporarily occupied by the communists." For its part, it believes that Taiwan should recognize the government of the PRC and proposes the formula "one state - two systems" (that is, Taiwan becomes a special administrative region under the jurisdiction of China). Taipei, on the other hand, offers 76 its own formula - "one country - two governments." The situation has not changed for many years.

Today Taiwan belongs to the group of "newly industrialized countries" - "four small economic dragons". Along with the Republic, it plays an increasingly important role in the economies of the Asia-Pacific region.

In recent years, the PRC has seen a very significant economic upturn and the political course is being adjusted. In 1992 (at the XIV Congress of the Communist Party of China), a course was proclaimed to further deepen economic reforms and transfer the economy to the rails of a "socialist market economy." An open foreign economic policy is being implemented. The country is moving to the forefront in the world - in terms of growth rates and GDP, iron and steel smelting, etc. However, all socio-economic indicators per capita are still very significantly inferior to the corresponding indicators of economically developed countries of the world.

In July 1997, Hong Kong, the former colonial possession of Great Britain (like Taiwan, which belonged to the group of "newly industrialized countries"), passed under the sovereignty of China. The PRC guarantees Hong Kong the preservation of a special economic and legal status for the next 50 years. How events will actually unfold - the future will show.

East Asia(Chinese 东亚, Korean 동아시아, Japanese 東 ア ジ ア, Mong. Dornod Azi) - the eastern part of Asia.

It adjoins the Pacific Ocean in the temperate, subtropical and tropical zones. The relief is characterized by a complex combination of mountains and plains. A significant part of East Asia is located in the Western Pacific geosynclinal belt. Volcanism is inherent (Kamchatka and mountain-island arcs), significant seismic activity.

The climate is monsoon, seasonally humid, typhoons and floods are frequent.

Natural vegetation is represented mainly by forests, in the northern part of the forest mainly mixed and taiga, in the south - broad-leaved subtropical and tropical. In areas with low humidity of the forest-steppe and steppe.

The plains are cultivated and densely populated.

The East Asia region includes the Russian Far East, China, Taiwan, Japan, North Korea, the Republic of Korea and Mongolia.

East Asia

Geographical position. Geological structure. Climatic conditions. Population and environmental problems.

see also East Asia nature photography: China (Beijing) (from the Natural Landscapes of the World section).

Geographical position. East Asia is the outskirts of Eurasia facing the Pacific Ocean. It stretches from the Russian Far East to South China. East Asia also includes the islands of Sakhalin, Kuril, Japanese, Taiwan, Hainan (see the map of physical and geographical zoning of Eurasia with links to photographs of the nature of this region). In the absence of structural and geomorphological unity, the natural integrity of East Asia is determined by the features of its climate and organic world.

Geologicalstructure. The mainland part of the region is an ancient land, within which medium-altitude folded-block mountains are combined with accumulative plains. The islands and the seas washing them belong to the Pacific belt, which is experiencing the subsidence of the Pacific plate under the edge of the Eurasian continental plate and the island arcs located in front of it. This belt is marked by the strong development of seismicity and volcanism.

Climaticconditions. The main regularity in the formation of the climate in East Asia is the monsoon circulation, which creates a pronounced difference between the humid warm and dry cold seasons. East Asia is located in the temperate and subtropical zones, and in the south it enters the tropical zone, and the temperature conditions within it change from north to south, but the main features of the monsoon climate remain throughout the region. The monsoon nature of the climate, which can be considered a distinctive feature of East Asia, has left an imprint on almost all aspects of its nature, as well as on the life and economic activities of the population. Another feature is intense cyclonic activity along the tropical and polar fronts, causing catastrophic hurricanes (typhoons).

The climate of East Asia did not undergo significant and sharp changes during the Cenozoic, therefore, the conditions for the formation of the organic world did not change either. In this regard, the flora and fauna of East Asia is characterized by great antiquity and species richness, a mixture of temperate and subtropical and even tropical elements throughout its entire length.

Populationand environmental issues. East Asia belongs to the long and densely populated region of Eurasia; it is characterized by a long-standing and profound change in nature by man and the widespread occurrence of anthropogenic landscapes.

Marginal seas

The most important element of the nature of East Asia is the marginal seas of the Pacific Ocean, located between the mainland and the chains of the East Asian islands. The deep-sea basins of these seas, together with the island arcs and trenches of the Pacific Ocean, experienced significant subsidence at the border of the Neogene and Quaternary.

The marginal seas are partly located within the continental shelf, which reaches its greatest width between 40 and 20 ° N. Occupying a position between the largest continent and ocean on Earth, the seas of East Asia are subject to the effects of monsoon circulation, on which their regime largely depends. On the other hand, deeply dissecting the coast of the mainland, the seas have a great influence on its nature and play a huge role in the life of the population.

Japanese Sea almost entirely corresponds to the tectonic basin. The continental shelf within its limits is narrow, the prevailing depths are more than 2000 m, and the maximum depth is 3720 m. At the same time, the straits connecting the Sea of ​​Japan with the ocean and other seas are shallow. Therefore, the bulk of the waters of the Sea of ​​Japan has a constant temperature (about 0 ° C), and the temperature regime of surface waters under the influence of currents is quite variable from place to place and from season to season. The main inflow of waters into the Sea of ​​Japan occurs from the south, through the Korea Strait. The warm Tsushima Current, which is a branch of the warm Kuroshio Current, heats the part of the sea adjacent to the Japanese Islands, and causes there a high water temperature on the surface: in winter 13 ° С, and in summer up to 25 ° С. In the northwest, cold deep waters rise to the surface and a cold compensatory Primorsky current is formed, which causes a strong decrease in temperature near the western coasts (in summer up to 13 ° C). In winter, in the northern part of the sea, the water temperature on the surface drops below 0 ° C, about a quarter of the water area is covered with ice annually. The salinity of water in the Sea of ​​Japan is the same everywhere due to the small river runoff and is close to 34% o. Strong winds, especially in winter, cause significant waves. During typhoons, the wave height reaches 12 m. Due to the high seismic activity of the region, tsunami waves are often observed in the Sea of ​​Japan.

The presence of warm and cold waters creates favorable conditions for the development of a rich fauna and flora. More than 600 species of fish are known in the Sea of ​​Japan; a large number of herring, flounder, anchovies, sardines, and salmon are caught. Fishing for seals, crabs, and some molluscs is carried out. The rich flora of the Sea of ​​Japan contains many algae of practical importance. Over the past decades, active environmental protection measures have made it possible to significantly improve the ecological situation in the coastal waters of Japan, the state of which in the 60-70s. XX century caused great concern.

Yellow Sea by origin, features of the bottom topography and water regime differs from the Japanese. It juts out very strongly into the mainland and for the most part is located within the continental shelf. The depth of its bays rarely exceeds 30 m, and the maximum sea depth is only 106 m. The Yellow Sea is strongly influenced by the continent and is characterized by large seasonal temperature fluctuations. In summer, surface waters in the southern part warm up to 26 ... 28 ° С, in the north - up to 24 ... 25 ° С. In winter, drifting ice may form in coastal shallow waters in the northern part of the sea, and in the south the water temperature does not exceed 6 ... 8 ° C. Salinity everywhere is somewhat lower than oceanic, and in the bays into which large rivers flow (Yellow, Liaohe, etc.), it decreases to 25% o. The direction and nature of the currents are approximately the same as in the Sea of ​​Japan: along the coast of the Korea Peninsula, there is a flow of relatively warm waters from the East China Sea; in the west, off the coast of the mainland, relatively freshened and cold waters move south. There are high tides in the sea. In Ganghwaman (Chemulpo) Bay on the western coast of Korea, their height reaches 9-10 m. Abundantly carried by rivers, especially the Yellow River, the silty and sandy material gives a yellowish tint to the color of the water. Hence the name of the sea comes from. Its waters are rich in various types of commercial fish (herring, sea bream, sardine, mackerel, etc.); mussels and oysters are harvested here in large quantities.

East China Sea less isolated from the ocean than Japanese and Yellow. In the east, it is bordered by a chain of small Ryukyu islands; in the south, on the border with the South China Sea, is the island of Taiwan. The western part of the East China Sea is confined to the continental shoal, where the depth ranges from 30 to 160 m. The eastern part of the basin is occupied by a basin with a maximum depth of 2719 m. In the east, there is a constant warm current that gives rise to the Kuroshio Current. The western part is dominated by seasonal currents associated with monsoon circulation. Typhoons pass over the East China Sea several times a year, moving at a speed of 120 to 450 km / day.

The surface water temperature in summer reaches 26 ... 29 ° C. In winter, the water temperature rises from the northwest to the southeast from 7 to 20 ° C. Salinity in the surface water layer is 32-34% o. Coral structures are widespread in the southern and eastern parts of the sea. The fauna of the East China Sea is very rich. There are large mammals: whales, dolphins. Many different fish: sardines, flounder, mackerel, tuna, mullet; there are sounding fish from the slab family. Lobsters, crabs and sea cucumbers (sea cucumbers) are also of commercial importance. In recent years, due to the increase in coastal pollution and the widespread occurrence of oil films, the ecological situation in the East China Sea has deteriorated, which negatively affects the state of its biological resources.

Internal differences within East Asia are determined by the position in different climatic zones, contrasts between the mainland and insular parts and the diversity of structure and relief.

EAST ASIA

The region is formed by 6 countries that border South, Southeast, North and Central Asia, have access to the Pacific Ocean: Japan, Yellow, East China and South China. Until July 1, 1997, the region also included Hong Kong (the former colony of Great Britain), which came under the jurisdiction of the PRC and became its special administrative region, Hong Kong. Since December 20, 1999, the same act was carried out in relation to Macau (the former colony of Portugal), which also became a special administrative region of the PRC - Aomin. Taiwan's position is special. In fact, he was not recognized by the world community, in 1971 he was expelled from the UN, since the power of China was recognized as the only legal representative of power on the island, and Taiwan was its integral part. Taiwan, on the other hand, considers itself the legal representative of the entire mainland China, and the PRC is "a country temporarily occupied by the communists." A bright and large-scale history of the development of the largest state in the region - China, which is the birthplace of one of the most powerful civilizations on the planet, where about 5 thousand years ago one of the most ancient and large cultures of mankind arose. Clothing and written monuments testify that the people reached a significant flourishing of philosophical, technical thought, literature, and art. A thousand years before our era, the Chinese already knew, for example, a magnetic compass. China's iron production is the oldest in the world. Long before the Europeans, the Chinese began to make paper and gunpowder. The idea of ​​printing also originated in China. Chinese porcelain, silk and metal products have long enjoyed well-deserved worldwide fame. The peculiarities of the economic and geographical position of the region include: the shortest land routes through the territory of China and Mongolia from the shores of the Pacific Ocean to European countries; extremely advantageous coastal position (the length of the coastal strip is 18 676 km); the presence of three practically non-freezing seas - the Yellow, East China and South China, which is of exceptional importance for the economy. They provide access to the Pacific Ocean, which accounts for 1/4 of all sea traffic in the world. Large industrial function of the seas, their important role in international transport. The ocean coast is gaining more and more recreational value. All countries in the region are members of the UN (China is one of its co-founders), most countries (except Mongolia and the DPRK) are members of the ATEC, Japan is a member of the G7, and the DPRK is a non-aligned movement.

Natural conditions

Tags: Asia

Eastern Region Asia occupies almost 8% of the Earth's land mass. Its natural conditions are varied. The relief is very difficult. In the west, there is one of the largest and highest highlands in the world - Tibet, with an area of ​​almost 2 million km2. Surrounded by powerful ridges - Kun-Lun in the Seveea, Karakorum in the west, the Himalayas in the south and the Saint-Tibetan mountains in the east, the highland has numerous internal ridges that reach 6000-7000 m in height, and intermontane plains with a height of 4000-5000 m. the plains are cool even in summer, daytime temperatures do not exceed +10 ... + 15 ° С, there are frosts at night. Winter is long here, with severe frosts (-30 ...- 400 C), winds blow almost constantly, the air is very dry, and precipitation falls up to 100 mm per year, almost the same as in the desert. Therefore, according to the conditions of vegetation landscapes, Tibet is classified as a cold high-mountain desert. The snow line is located at an altitude of 5000-6000 m (the highest position on the globe). Tibet is composed mainly of sandstones, limestones, shales, ridges - mostly granites and gneisses. The region is characterized by high seismic and volcanic activity. Earthquakes occur in the belt of young mountains and especially often on the Japanese Islands, where there are 150 volcanoes, including 60 active ones. On average, one notable earthquake occurs every three days. One of the most seismically unsafe is the Tokyo Bay area. Seaquakes and huge tsunami waves caused by them are associated with seismic events in deep-water depressions located several tens of kilometers east of the region. In the east, low mountains alternate with accumulative plains. where the largest is the Great China Plain, the emergence of which is mainly due to the deposits of the Yellow River. Its surface is flat, up to 100 m high, composed of a thick layer of aluvium. There are also low plains on the Korean Peninsula, where they cover 1/4 of the territory. The region is located in three climatic zones (temperate, subtropical and subequatorial). The tropical belt is absent here due to the monsoon circulation. Large areas of Mongolia and Western China (Tibet) stretch in areas of a high-mountain climate (arid). Monsoon air currents blow from the ocean to dry land during the warm season, and vice versa during the cold season. Summer monsoons bring precipitation, which decreases from south to north. In the southeastern part of the region there is 1000-2000 mm of precipitation, in the east - 400-900 mm, in the northeastern part - 250-700 mm. In the monsoon zone, spring and autumn are predominantly arid; therefore, artificial irrigation is widely used in agriculture. Large rivers originate from the Tibetan plateau Asia- Indus, Brahmaputra, Salween, Mekong, Yangtze, Huang He. The eastern mainland and its insular parts have a relatively dense river system, in the west there are very few rivers, and huge deserts and semi-deserts are completely devoid of them. Many rivers are navigable. Without exception, all speech is used for irrigation.

Natural resources.

Tags: Economy

Mineral resources are very rich. Most of them are concentrated in China - one of the "geological barns in the world." The region has significant reserves of coal (there are in all countries, but the maximum reserves are in China, which ranks 1st in the world in terms of its production - 1290 million tons per year), brown coal (northern Mongolia and northeastern DPRK), oil (northeast and west of China, shelf of the seas), oil shale (northeast and south of China). In Japan and South Korea, very few deposits are of industrial importance. Through the eastern territories of the mainland of the region stretches the Pacific metallogenic belt, which is associated with deposits of manganese, tungsten, molybdenum, tin, antimony, mercury and other metals. The largest reserves are in China, North Korea, Mongolia; iron ore - in the north-east of China, copper-molybdenum deposits - in the north of Mongolia (Erdenet deposit). Japan is poor in industrial metal deposits. Nonmetallic minerals form reserves of phosphorites (many in central and southern China, in the north of Mongolia), graphite (South Korea), fluorite (very large reserves in the northeast of Mongolia), sulfur (in Japan, deposits are associated with the volcanic origin of the islands, where the northern regions of Honshu are rich in sulfur). Numerous lakes in Japan, China, and South Korea are a source of fresh water. Agro-climatic resources are favorable (especially in the east). The monsoon climate makes it possible to Agriculture in two modes: in dry and wet seasons. In the south, 2-3 harvests are harvested per year. There is an acute shortage of farmable and accessible land in Japan, which is reclaiming new territories from the sea. Therefore, almost 1/3 of its shores are filled or reclaimed, artificial "garbage islands" are widespread. The region is not rich in forest resources. The forest cover of the territory is on average less than 40%. Coniferous forests dominate in the north-east of China, in the north of Mongolia, Japan, mixed - in Japan, northern and central parts of China. Humid tropical (rain) forests have not survived in their natural form, their small tracts grow in southeastern China, in Taiwan. In general, forests are significantly depleted by human economic activity. As a result of pollution by industrial and household waste of land, reservoirs, the atmosphere, the ecological state of the countries of the region has significantly deteriorated. Protected areas are of great importance in the preservation of natural ecosystems.

Population

Tags: Population

Population. The region belongs to the most populated in the world. In 2000, 1439.7 million people lived here, which makes up almost 24% of the population of the entire Earth. China is the most populous country in the world (1222 million people). Demographic features. The overpopulation of the region and the tradition of large families have caused an acute demographic problem, especially in China. This required urgent action on the part of the government, whose demographic policy is aimed at reducing the birth rate and natural population growth. As a result of its implementation, the rate of population growth at the beginning of the 60s of the XX century. accounted for approximately 2% per year, at the end of the 90s - almost 1.3%. The demographic policy in China is based on the following principles: - a one-child family is obligatory for urban residents (slogan: "One family - one child"), but the number of children is not limited in areas inhabited by national minorities; - support at the national level for families with only one child: cash bonuses, subsidies related to medical care, high pensions, priority in providing housing in the city and a personal vegetable garden in the countryside; - Families with two children do not receive food stamps and pay a 10 percent tax on wages; - for rural families with one child, the size of personal plots has been increased; - In 1984, the CPC Congress adopted the slogan "Reward - for one child, progressive punishment - for the third and the next"; - promotion of late marriages. Officially, the age of marriage was raised by 2 years for both articles, to 22 for men and 20 for women. Additional restrictions are also introduced, for example, a categorical prohibition to create families for students, violation of which may cause expulsion from a higher educational institution. However, there is now a resurgence in the tradition of "early marriage"; - free implementation of abortions. The birth rate in 2000 was reduced to 18-20% per year, the mortality rate - to 6-8%. Thus, the natural increase was 12-14%. The PRC gradually moved to the group of countries of the first type of population reproduction. Mongolia, on the contrary, has a huge area, and the population is more than 2.4 million, which is a consequence of the centuries-old tradition of Lamaism (observance of the celibate vow in monasteries, where up to 1/3 of the male population was located until 1921). The ratio of men and women in the region is proportional: women - 49.9%, men - 50.1%. Population under 14 years old is 24%, 15-64 years old - 68%, older age - 8%. Racial makeup. The majority of the region's population (Chinese, Mongols, Koreans) are Mongoloids. The southern Chinese and Japanese are of a mixed racial type (traits of Mongoloids and Australoids). In Japan live Ainu - aborigines who belong to a separate racial group of Australoids.

Ethnic and religious composition

Tags: Asia

The ethnic composition is very heterogeneous. The following language families are represented here: Sino-Tibetan family: - Chinese group. It includes the Chinese (Han), the Dungans (huei) - the Muslim Chinese; - Tibeto-Burmese group. Covers the Yizu peoples, Tibetans (live in the south-west of China), etc .; Altai family: - Mongolian group. it is formed by the Khalkha Mongols (residents of Mongolia), the Mongols of China (living in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region); - Tungus-Manchu group. These are the Manchus (live in northeastern China), who are very assimilated by the Han people; - Turkic group. It includes Uighurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz (live in north-west China); the Japanese are a separate family; Koreans are a separate family; Ainu - a separate family, represented by the natives of Japan, who remained mainly on about. Hokkaido; thai family. Belongs to the Zhuang - the largest people of China from the national minorities (up to 12 million people), who live in the south of the country, the people of Tai, Li, etc .; Austro-Asian family. Form the peoples of Miao, Yao, coffee, who live in the south of China on the border with the countries of Indochina; Austronesian family - Gaoshan (indigenous people of the island of Taiwan). Religious composition. Various religions and their tendencies are widespread in the region. First of all, it is a powerful cell of Confucian culture, which originated in China in the VI-V centuries. BC. Over time, Buddhism penetrated East Asia from India, and the local religions, Taoism (China) and Shintoism (Japan), retained their significance. The peoples of northwest China (Dungans, Uighurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz) are Sunni Muslims. Confucianism is the basis of a specific East Asian civilization. His moral and ethical system provides for a comprehensive regulation of society, group standards of behavior, high discipline and developed moral attitudes. Many Eastern countries Asia are poly-confessional, where several religions coexist.

Accommodation of the population.

Tags: Asia

The peculiarities of natural conditions led to the uneven settlement of people in the region. Japan and Korea are more densely populated (300-400 people / km2). China is populated rather unevenly: according to an average density of 127 people / km2, 90% of the population lives in its east, on 1/3 of the country's area. In Tibet, the population density is less than 1 person / km2. There are generally unpopulated areas. The urbanization processes in the region are very versatile. For example, Japan, South Korea are more urbanized countries in the world (78-81% of urban residents). There are over 250 million city dwellers in China. It is unusual for him to spread the urban way of life to rural settlements. Small villages (100-200 families) are home to 900 million people. The five most numerous metropolitan areas Asia are located in its eastern region: Tokyo (30.3 million), Osaka (16.9 million), Seoul (15.8 million), Chongqing (15 million), Shanghai (13.5 million). China, being a predominantly rural country, has more big cities than anywhere else: more than 100 millionaire cities and almost 50 more cities have a population of over 500 thousand people. The three largest metropolitan areas in Japan - Keihin (Tokyo, Yokohama, Kawasaki, etc.), Hanshin (Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto and up to 100 others), Chukyo (Nagoya and other 80 settlements) - merge into the world's largest urbanized system - the megalopolis of Tokkaido, which stretches for 600 km between Tokyo and Osaka, bringing together over 60 million people. Labor resources. The region possesses huge labor resources both in cities and in villages. Persons of working age - up to 810 million. Most of all employed in the manufacturing industry, their number is rapidly increasing in the financial sector. The share of people employed in agriculture is significant only in China (50%), and in Japan - only 7%, in industrial production - 26% (in China - 15% - the lowest indicator in the region). The main social problems in the region are the "aging" of the population and the unevenness of its distribution.

General characteristics of the economy

Tags: Asia, Economy

Construction companies and construction crews

Eastern countries Asia the most heterogeneous in the socio-economic aspect. Japan, South Korea and Taiwan belong to the capitalist countries with a developed mixed economy; China is following a special path of economic development, combining the principles of planned and market economy. Mongolia embarked on the path of economic and political reforms after the domination of a totalitarian regime. North Korea is a unique state where people are still trying to build communism on the basis of a command-administrative system in the economy and a totalitarian regime in politics. In the countries of the region (except Japan), the state has a leading position in economic life. In China and the DPRK, a socialist economic system dominates. The most important means of production are concentrated in the public sector of these countries: industrial, transport and communications enterprises, financial institutions, state agricultural enterprises. In Taiwan, the state controls most of the financial companies and corporations, the entire telecommunications system, metallurgy, railways, shipbuilding, chemical industry, production of building materials, owns 70% of land, controls the banking system. In South Korea, the state regulates macroeconomic parameters, credit and tax spheres, controls financial activities, manages the activities of public sector enterprises, which unites a significant part of the mining regions, infrastructure, the service sector, and railways. In Japan, the public sector is small and operates primarily in the areas of infrastructure. At the local level, the state owns public utilities, transport, schools, hospitals, several thousand companies that are engaged in the construction and operation of municipal housing, toll roads, port facilities, shopping malls and markets, etc. Many large monopolistic associations have close economic ties with the public sector, actively use government loans and loans. At the beginning of the XXI Art. countries in the region have better prospects for economic growth than a decade ago. By becoming economically open, they were able to import the latest technology, knowledge and business practices. Enterprises have become more flexible in their activities, to which they have been pushed by competition and the need to adapt to new economic conditions. In the MSPP, the countries of the region differ significantly in their areas of specialization. Japan excels in knowledge-intensive areas (electronic industry, robotics, automotive, household appliances), belongs to the three world leaders in the development of the chemical industry (especially pharmaceuticals, chemistry of organic synthesis) and biotechnology. The NIS countries have strong positions in the science-intensive areas of mechanical engineering (electronics, production of computers, communications, electronic toys, etc.). South Korea is one of the world leaders in the development of shipbuilding. All NIS countries have a highly developed lung industry(production of fabrics, linen, footwear). China is an important producer of agricultural products (vegetables, fruits, pork, soybeans, tea, raw silk, leather), as well as textiles, metal, individual mechanical engineering products (bicycles, household appliances), food and light industry products (clothing, shoes). Mongolia exports wool, leather, fur and handicrafts from them.

Japan.

Tags: Asia

It is a G7 country, an economic leader in the world in many respects, which ranks third after the United States and China in terms of GNP ($ 3.15 trillion) and second after the United States in terms of industrial production. Its rapid development began in the 50s-60s of the XX century. and over time it was called the "Japanese miracle". Economic growth is associated with the availability of a cheap but skilled labor force in the country, as well as with such Japanese character traits as collectivism and respect for elders. Growth was achieved without foreign loans, at the expense of their own capital, targeted government policy, government planning and protectionism. Japan accounts for up to 12% of world industrial production. It ranks 1st in the world for the production of ships, machine tools, electronics and electronic components, robots; produces over 60% of the world's volume of televisions, 12% of artificial fibers, is the undisputed leader in fish catch (over 12 million tons per year). Among its important achievements is one of the world's largest gold and foreign exchange reserves (over $ 221 billion), huge foreign assets (up to $ 1 trillion). In the mid-1980s, Japan became the largest creditor in the world, and is the second largest shareholder of the International Monetary Fund after the United States (over $ 10 billion). Due to the aggravation of economic contradictions with the main trading partners and increased competition from the newly industrialized countries in the late 80s of the XX century. Japan began restructuring its economy in order to expand domestic demand, increase the role of the service sector and informatics, and further develop its own scientific and technical potential. The priority areas were areas of "high potential growth", high-tech projects and science-intensive areas: telecommunications, microelectronics, fiber-optic materials, aviation and astronautics, medicine, biotechnology, environmental protection, etc. Special attention in Japan is given to science and education, which have become the main structural factor of economic growth. In accordance with the state program for the development of the national system of research and development (R&D), a transition was made from the import of technical achievements to the development of its own, Japanese R&D system. Fundamental measures have been taken to improve personnel training and further develop international scientific cooperation. Large scientific centers have been created that are engaged in developments in the field of solid state physics, nuclear energy, plasma physics, the latest structural materials, space robots, etc. An important role in the Japanese economy is played by a variety of associations, federations, unions, cooperatives, enterprises of all forms of ownership, and other bodies based on sectoral and functional characteristics. The following Japanese companies belong to the leaders of the world economy: Toyota Motors, Matsushita Electric, Sony Corporation, Honda Motors, Hitachi, Takedakemikel Industries, Kenon Inc., Fujitsu, Fuji Photo film ”,“ Bridgestone Corporation ”,“ Nippon Electric Company ”,“ Mitsubishi Heavy Industries ”,“ Toshiba ”and others. Small and medium-sized businesses function effectively in all areas. They are the most active and mobile elements of the market in the development of competition, increasing the competitiveness of goods. Almost 99% of Japanese companies are small and medium-sized businesses. Their role is especially large in the automotive, electronic and electrical fields. Japan has fairly low unemployment rates. Throughout the 70s-80s of the XX century. its level fluctuated within 2-2.8% and only in the 90s slightly exceeded 3%. Japanese management is effective. The country has had a “life-long employment system” for a long time. Taking into account the mentality of the population, work motivation systems function. At the end of XX century. in Japan, foreign exchange reserves grew rapidly. The government introduced a system of measures to liberalize the export of Japanese capital abroad. Today it is the largest banking center and international lender. Its share in international loans increased from 5% in 1980 to 20.6% in 1990. Capital export is the main form of foreign economic activity. Most of all Japanese capital works in the United States (42.2%), countries Asia(24.2%), Western Europe (15.3%), Latin America (9.3%). The banking system of Japan is formed by state and private banks. Leading positions in the world are held by financial groups "Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi", "Sumitomo Bank", "Sanwa Bank", "Dai-Ichi-Kange Bank", "Fuji Bank", "Industrial Bank of Japan", "Tokai Bank" ...

Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong. DPRK. Mongolia.

Tags: Asia

Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong. They belong to the NIS "first wave" with high indicators of economic development. South Korea ranks 11th in the world in terms of GNP ($ 764 billion). Very high growth rates of its economy (on average 8-12% in the 80s-90s). Taiwan is an important exporter of capital in the world, especially to Southeast Asia (over the last 5 years of the XX century, investments in this region reached $ 36 billion). Hong Kong has become a business capital Asia, one of the largest international financial and monetary centers (the third financial capital of the world). Its currency exchange ranks 5th in the world, and over 560 banks are concentrated on the territory, of which 365 are from 50 countries. The decisive factors of the raging development of the newly industrialized countries of the region are a cheap, qualified and disciplined labor force, foreign technologies and capital, guaranteed sales markets in developed countries, and purposeful state policy. With the rise in the cost of labor, these countries are focusing on the development of scientific research and increasing the knowledge intensity of production. Local research and development technology parks are called "silicone greenhouses." DPRK. It is a socialist state with a planned command and control economy. She is experiencing an economic crisis, which is exacerbated by political, ideological and military confrontations with South Korea. It is actively developing a nuclear program, which is of concern to the world community. Mongolia. In the mid-90s, she chose the so-called “centrism” path, the concept of which was largely formulated under the influence of Buddhist philosophy. Mongolia was proclaimed a country that passed to socialism directly from feudalism, bypassing the capitalist stage. But this experiment was unsuccessful. Today it is the arena of active economic interests of its powerful neighbors - China, South Korea and Japan.

China.

Tags: Asia, Population, Economy

In the economy, it combines the command-administrative (planned) and market structures. Since the beginning of reforms (since 1982), China has become one of the most powerful states in the world, the volume of GNP of which amounted to 4.5 trillion dollars in 2000, achieved stability in the economy and politics, and increased the real incomes of citizens by 2-3 times. The socio-economic achievements of the PRC are among the most memorable in the world economic history of the last decades of the XX century. They are reflected in the growth of industrial production, maintaining the leading position in the world in the production of many types of products. China is the world leader in the production of coal, cement, grain, meat, cotton, and holds a leading position in oil and electricity production. The world's leading corporations view China as the most promising country in the world market. According to experts, the capacity of the Chinese market is over $ 300 billion. China actively attracts foreign capital and ranks second after the United States in terms of the number of enterprises with foreign investment. In the mid 90s of the XX century. they accounted for 7.5% of all industrial enterprises and almost 19% of manufactured products. In 1999, such enterprises employed 19 million people, which provided 14.5% of China's GDP. At the end of the 90s of the XX century. the export of Chinese capital has expanded significantly and amounted to $ 18 billion. According to this indicator, it ranks 8th in the world. China will remain one of the countries with the most attractive conditions for foreign investment for a long time to come. Population countries - over 1.2 billion people, and, according to the World Bank, the average salary is only $ 780 per year. Therefore, it is not surprising that in the Chinese economy at the beginning of the XXI century. worked up to $ 39 billion of foreign investment, while in all other large countries of Eastern Asia together - $ 44 billion. Having achieved significant results in economic growth rates, dynamics and volumes of industrial and agricultural production, China, however, continues to lag behind the leading industrial countries and countries with an average developed economy in terms of production, productivity, per capita income and life. Its economy remains isolated from global economic processes - only 1/5 of it depends on foreign trade, which is much less than in all other developed countries Asia... China's huge domestic market is limitless for any manufacturer. And since the stratum of the poor strata of the population is quite significant, an increase in the standard of living in the country for more than one year will mean a directly proportional increase in demand for consumer goods. The peculiarities of the Chinese reforms are of noticeable interest. Despite the fact that the Chinese government constantly emphasizes the "socialist path" of the country's development, the monopolization of power by the Communist Party continues, the country's economy is consistently blazing the path to market foundations. The country is carrying out a large-scale privatization of state property, the financial market is developing dynamically, the tax system is effective, and it has been possible to prevent rampant corruption. Economic reforms in China are far from shock therapy, gradual and rational. Therefore, the country managed not only to avoid a transformational recession, but also to ensure a high dynamism of economic development, a stable improvement in the living standards of the population. The Chinese economic model is based on the following factors: - multivariate forms of ownership - from state to private; - the coexistence of planned and market control levers. The state regulates the economy at the macro level, while the micro level is formed and guided by the market. From the second half of the 80s of the XX century. the postulate spreads in the country: “the state directs the market, the market regulates enterprises”; - distribution by work, supplemented by the principle of distribution by capital, i.e. on share contributions, profits from securities, etc .; - a clear sectoral priority scheme: Agriculture- light industry- heavy industry; - consistent implementation of the policy of openness to the outside world. In the implementation of an open foreign economic policy, China has taken a course towards the creation of free economic zones (FEZ) of different directions. At the end of the 90s of the XX century. more than 120 such entities functioned, which were supported by government policy. In total, the country has, according to various estimates, from 1.7 thousand to 9 thousand economic zones with a variety of preferential treatment. Among them are Syamin (Amoy), Shantou (Swatou), Zhuhai, Shenzhen, about. Hainan and others. China is quite quickly integrating into the world trade and financial system, a milestone in this process was its admission to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Industry

Tags: Asia, Economy

In the late 50s - early 60s of the XX century. the production potential of the region, the basis of which was an easy industry, was reoriented to heavy industry. In recent years, a course has been taken towards the development of knowledge-intensive industries. Fuel and energy complex. The power industry is based on coal mining - raw materials for thermal power plants located in coal basins and large cities. The countries of the region (China and South Korea) have rich hydropower resources, but they use them little. Powerful hydroelectric power plants have been built on the Huanghe, Songhua, and Yangtze rivers, as well as in the mountains of Central Honshu. The total electricity production is 1254.2 billion kWh. Nuclear power plants are widespread. Japan is one of the leaders in the world in the development of nuclear power plants (40 nuclear reactors with a capacity of 195.5 million kW), built under French and American licenses. South Korea (11 nuclear power units with a capacity of 45 million kW), China (2 nuclear power plants with a capacity of 1200 MW) and Taiwan (6 units) are actively developing nuclear power. Uranium raw materials are supplied mainly from Africa. Nuclear development is carried out in the DPRK. The search for new energy resources is being intensively carried out. On about. Honshu has a small geothermal station, a research solar thermal station. China is already operating, and Japan is building small tidal stations. In China, they also use non-commercial fuels (agricultural and logging waste, reeds, etc.). Ferrous metallurgy. One of the most developed areas of the region. In many countries, full-cycle metallurgical plants operate, which produce pig iron, steel, and rolled products. The modernized metallurgy of Japan is one of the most powerful in the world. The leader of the Japanese metallurgy, a powerful and influential corporation - "Nippon Seitetsu" - unites over 500 companies, organizations and scientific institutions with an annual capital turnover of several billion dollars. Japan annually produces 101.7 million tons of steel - the most in the world. The main regions for the development of China's ferrous metallurgy (95.4 million tons of steel annually) are northeast and north. Non-ferrous metallurgy. Less developed than black. The growing demand for non-ferrous metals stimulates a constant increase in their production. The largest producers are China (tin, copper, antimony, lead) and Japan (aluminum, copper, lead). Bauxite and ore raw materials are imported from the countries of the South-East Asia, Latin America, Africa. The PRC is one of the world leaders in the production of rare earth metals. Mechanical engineering and metalworking. These are one of the most developed regions in the region, the production of which amounts to over 53 thousand types of products - from mining equipment and tractors to various types of equipment and computers. The production of machine tools, especially automatic machine tools in Japan, and metalworking in China, acquired significant development. Japan holds the 1st place in the world in terms of production of industrial robots. Automotive industry... Japan, since 1981, firmly held the 1st place in the world in terms of the number of cars produced, losing in 1998 to the United States. Every year the leading concerns of Japan - Toyota, Nissan, Honda and others - produce over 10.5 million cars. The competitiveness of Japanese cars is achieved by their comparable cheapness, efficiency and reliability. Until recently, South Korea held a strong position in the global automotive market (2.5 million units), but after the financial collapse at the country's main automotive concern, DEU, this area suffered significant damage. Electronics and electrical engineering have become important industries in recent years. Japanese electronic industry represented by the concerns "Sony", "Hitachi", "Mattsushita", "Toshiba", produces 60% of televisions in the world, is a powerful manufacturer of industrial robots, machine tools with numerical control, certain types of microprocessors, video recorders. South Korea is one of the leading manufacturers of electronic and electrical products for household use: 11 of its corporations belong to the list of the 500 largest in the world, and 4 to the 100 largest Hong Kong is known in the world market for the production of gaming machines, watches, televisions, tape recorders, microcomputers , electronic toys, integrated circuits, radio components, etc. China is also intensively developing the electronic and electrical industries (Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Shanzhou, Xiamin and Pudong), where the production of electronic equipment for military aircraft, missiles, artificial earth satellites and space equipment; and a variety of consumer electronics. Taiwan specializes in the production of computers and displays. The leaders in world shipbuilding are South Korea and Japan, whose companies produce river and sea vessels, multi-tonnage special vessels: dry cargo, tankers, container ships, timber carriers, refrigerators, etc. The region's shipyards annually launch half of the newly built vessels in the world. For many years, Japan has been ranked 1st in the world in terms of their production (8.5 million bbl.-register, t), and South Korea - 2nd place (6.2 million bbl.-register, t). Taiwan is one of the world's leading sports yachts. The production of equipment for the textile, sewing and knitting industries is also developed, and in the manufacture of household sewing machines, China is one of the first in the world. It is the leader in the production of bicycles (it produces 41 million units annually). Chemical industry... The areas of basic chemistry prevail, primarily the production of mineral fertilizers (China ranks second in the world in terms of their production after the United States - 23.2 million tons). In Japan, the potential of the fields of organic chemistry (the production of synthetic fibers and plastics), biochemistry (the production of effective medicinal products, crop protection products), and the production of vitamins is powerful. Petrochemical production in the region is represented by large plants located in ports that import oil. The chemical and pharmaceutical industry is successfully developing (China is one of the largest manufacturers of medicines, the main center for the production of medicines is Shanghai). Easy industry... A traditional area for all countries in the region. The greatest development was in China, which produces 1/4 of the world's cotton fabrics (18.3 billion m2) and 1/10 of chemical fiber fabrics. China is the birthplace of sericulture. For many centuries it maintained a monopoly on the production of silk fabrics and is now a leading manufacturer and exporter of natural silk fabrics. Silk, especially natural silk, Chinese fabrics are appreciated all over the world for their high quality. In terms of the total production of all types of fabrics, China came out on top in the world. The largest textile center in the region is Shanghai. Taiwan is one of the world leaders in the production of footwear (especially sportswear), sportswear and equipment (tennis rackets, balls, etc.). In Mongolia, the production of wool (sheep and camel) is traditionally developing, which is used for the manufacture of fabrics, carpets, felt, felt shoes, and leather production has also been established. Hong Kong is famous for its jewelry business, it is widely developed in the production of toys, it is one of the world leaders in the production of fur products. In Japan, ceramic production has always occupied an important place, and in its modernized form it plays a significant role even now. Traditionally, porcelain and earthenware, ceramics, carpets and mats, and embroidery were made in China. Carving on bone, wood, stone is widespread. These and other decorative and artistic goods are successfully exported. Food industry... It covers over 50 industries, the leading among which are the processing of grain, oil and sugar crops, brewing, tea and fish industries. Meat and dairy products are progressing dynamically. industry An important place in China is occupied by the tobacco region, which produces not very strong cigarettes. The industry of the leading countries of the region is intensively developing high-tech science-intensive industries.