Physical Geography of China and the U.S.

Abstract

A comparative physical geography of both countries is an important step to better understand their complex relationships. First, the topography and landforms of China and the U.S. are presented in great detail. Next, the climates of both countries are discussed, and the variety of climate conditions is shown. The following section introduces rivers and lakes and outlines the basic drainage systems in both countries. Vegetation patterns and soils are the focus of the next section which discusses the latitudinal and altitudinal zonations. The section on natural disasters in China and the U.S. compares the role and significance of earthquakes, of hurricanes and typhoons as well as tornados, of floods and droughts. Both countries are located in major earthquake belts. Further, it is shown that China has a more noticeable monsoonal climate with different implications for the occurrence of typhoons, floods and droughts. The chapter includes also a section on environmental issues and problems. The final section of the chapter focuses on the general physical zonations of the two countries and closes with a physical geography regionalization.