7th Chapter 5.1 Geography and History

[Pages:3]NAME

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Geography and History Activity

Imperial China

Lesson 1 China Reunites

Understanding Location: Changan and Hangzhou

Changan

The city of Changan had been inhabited for thousands of years--since around 6000 B.C.E. The rulers of the Tang dynasty made it their capital city. It had several geographic advantages. First, it was situated near the Huang He River and its largest tributary, the Wei River. These rivers provided both natural resources and a key transportation route to the East China Sea and beyond. In addition, the city was located on a low plain that was protected to the south by the Qin (CHIHN) Mountains. With these resources and natural protections, the city was able to prosper.

The city had an economic advantage as well. Trade prospered in Changan because it was the eastern-most stop on the Silk Road. Changan was a cultural center, too. It is the place where Buddhism was introduced to the Chinese. In 652 C.E., the Big Wild Goose pagoda, or temple, was built there for worship. By the 900s C.E., Changan was the world's largest city. It was home to more than a million people. Today the city is called Xi'an (SHEE ANH), and more than three million people live there.

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Hangzhou

When invaders from Mongolia in the north made life in Changan unsafe, the Song dynasty rulers moved the capital city about 750 miles south to Hangzhou. Hangzhou was not just a place to escape invaders, however. It was a beautiful location situated near Hangzhou Bay and Xi (SHEE) Lake and surrounded by gently rolling green hills. Around 1126, Song emperors built lavish palaces and gardens around the lake for their enjoyment. Poets throughout the ages have celebrated Hangzhou's beauty in their poems.

The waters and land around Hangzhou made it an agricultural center. It was known as the "Land of Fish and Rice." Farmers were able to collect many species of fish and grow many varieties of rice and tea. In addition, the city was a major producer of high quality silks. Because Hangzhou was located on the Grand Canal and near the Chang Jiang, traders were able to transport the products of Hangzhou to other parts of China and around the world.

NAME

DATE

Geography and History Activity Cont.

Imperial China

CLASS

N

W E

S

0

1000 miles

0

1000 km

Two-Point Equidistant projection

TIBET

MONGOLIA

He

Changan

ang Jiang

CHINA

Ch

Huang

KOREAN PENINSULA

East China

Sea

Hangzhou

Arabian Sea

INDIA

Bay of Bengal

M

South

China Sea

JAPAN

PACIFIC OCEAN

ekong R.

Copyright ? McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

Directions Answer the following questions.

Understanding the Concept

1. ering our Past - World) IdentifyingWhat geographical advantages did Changan have?

ital Cities of the Tang and Song Dynasties 2- 04A- NGS - 824133 _ A- RESG.ai 6 x 20p0 ar 1, 2011 - First Proof

ons: June 7, 2017 2. DescribingFor what geographical features was Hangzhou known?

3. ExplainingWhy did Song dynasty rulers move the capital city from Changan to Hangzhou?

NAME

DATE

CLASS

Geography and History Activity Cont.

Imperial China

Applying the Concept

4. AnalyzingHow did geography influence the economies of the two capital cities?

5. EvaluatingWhich capital city provided more advantages for traders? For farmers? For rulers? Why?

Copyright ? McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

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