India and China include some of the most densely populated regions in the world, but they also include sparsely populated areas consisting of
mountains and deserts. Together, these two nations contain almost a third of the world’s population. Given their size, neither China or India are rich in mineral wealth – their real wealth resides in their hard working people, and their large populations.
The
plains of India and China are mostly at sea level. They are formed by mighty rivers, which have deposited mud to form flood plains and deltas. At all times, people have coveted these fertile plains, where they have grown wheat, rice, cotton and tea. As it is easier to move on these plains, the plainsmen have evolved a
common language, developed a uniform culture, and organized themselves into powerful states.
Civilization depends on temperature and rainfall, but it also depends on food, means of communication, and availability of raw materials. Civilization advances through the trade of goods, and the exchange of ideas. Thus, these plains present ideal conditions for the development of civilization. In both India and China, men have modified their environment by clearing forests, cultivating crops, digging canals and by building roads and cities.
India and China are on both sides of the great Himalayan mountains. India has a more mixed population than China. Both India and China have a lengthy coast line, and long navigable rivers. Both India and China have natural barriers, being protected by impassable mountain ranges and deserts, and by the immensity of the sea.
The mountains are a source of almost unlimited fresh water, and they give rise to large, navigable
rivers - the Indus and the Brahmaputra in India, and the Yangtze in China.
Millions depend on these rivers for their livelihood. From the earliest times, these rivers have made communication and trade relatively simple.
Unlike the middle east, the arid regions of these two nations – The Thar desert in India, and the Sinkiang in China are inhabited to some extent. Though there is little or no vegetation, crops are irrigated by a system of canals. The camel is a beast of burden, and
wheat the staple crop.
India and China are also noted for their fine arts and crafts. Their painting, pottery and weaving (in common), their ceramics and jade & ivory carving (China), and their architecture (India).
More abstracts about the Article: Geographical Contrasts in the Far East