About the Book
Despite China's obvious and growing importance on the world stage, it remains often and easily misunderstood. Perhaps this is due in part to the pace of the nation’s remarkable rise and the many economic, political, and environmental problems that have accompanied its growth. Indeed, there are many Chinas, as this comprehensive survey of contemporary China vividly illustrates.
Now in a thoroughly revised and updated third edition that offers the only all-embracing geography of the reform era, this book traces the changes occurring in this powerful and ancient nation across both time and space. Beginning with China's diverse landscapes and environments, and continuing through its formative history and tumultuous recent past, the authors present contemporary China as a product of both internal and external forces of past and present. They consider past and present successes and difficulties, including environmental challenges, while placing China in its international context as a massive, still-developing nation that must meet the needs of its 1.4 billion citizens while becoming a major regional and global player. Through clear prose and140 insightful maps, tables, and photos, China's Geography illustrates and explains the great differences in economy, politics, and society found throughout China's many regions.
Full-color versions of all the maps, figures, and photographs in the book are available on the China's Geography website athttp://chinadatacenter.org/chinageography, along with a number of additional maps and data sets that can be used for class exercises or as the basis for student research papers and presentations. The site also offers links to the authors’ favorite YouTube videos, sources of statistical data on China, and an on-line mapping website.
Table of Contents:
List of Illustrations and Tables
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1: Introduction: China’s Path and Progress
Gregory Veeck and Clifton W. Pannell
Chapter 2: Physical Geographies: Landscapes of Diversity
Gregory Veeck and Clifton W. Pannell
Chapter 3: History: Ancient Roots and Binding Traditions
Gregory Veeck and Clifton W. Pannell
Chapter 4: Politics: The Central Kingdom in a Globalized World
Clifton W. Pannell and Gregory Veeck
Chapter 5: Cities: The Road to an Urban Revolution
Youqin Huang
Chapter 6: Population: Demographic Changes and Challenges
Shuming Bao
Chapter 7: Inequality: Rising Social, Economic, and Spatial Divides
Youqin Huang
Chapter 8: Economy: A Preface to China’s Changing Economic Geography
Clifton W. Pannell and Gregory Veeck
Chapter 9: Agriculture: From Antiquity to Revolution to Reform
Gregory Veeck and Clifton W. Pannell
Chapter 10: Industry: Transition to the Factory of the World
Gregory Veeck and Clifton W. Pannell
Chapter 11: Trade and Transportation: New Pillars of Growth
Shuming Bao
Chapter 12: The Environment: Crises and Response
Gregory Veeck and Clifton W. Pannell
Chapter 13: Taiwan: An Enduring East Asian Miracle
Gregory Veeck and Clifton W. Pannell
Chapter 14: Hong Kong and Macau: Postcolonial Futures
Clifton W. Pannell and Gregory Veeck
Index
About the Authors
About the Author :
Gregory Veeck is professor of geography at Western Michigan University. Clifton W. Pannell is professor emeritus of geography at the University of Georgia. Youqin Huang is associate professor in the Department of Geography and Planning at the University at Albany, SUNY. Shuming Bao is director of the China Data Center of the University of Michigan.
Review :
When the first edition of this text was published in 2007, there was no doubt that it would be one of the required textbooks for my course on the geography of Asia…. While the book’s title suggests a greater emphasis on contemporary changes in China, do not be mistaken—it provides one of the most comprehensive geographies of the country written in English. The text achieves a balance between exploring the remarkable changes and challenges confronting China and covering the variety of physical and human geography topics typically surveyed in a traditional regional geography text. The third edition comprises fourteen chapters, at an average length of twenty- eight pages per chapter, that cover a comprehensive array of topics on the geographies of China…. While this text is most appropriate for a college-level course on the geography of China or Asia, it provides an excellent source of information for high school or middle school teachers whose curricula includes Asia. Teachers should greatly benefit from purchasing the text, as it will become an often-referenced and easily accessible source of information on China…. This text fills a significant gap in English-written geography books about China and should be on the shelf of anyone interested in a comprehensive geographic survey of the lands of China.
At a time when the demand for knowledge about China's phenomenal transformation is greater than ever before, this book provides an illuminating, comprehensive, and up-to-date account of what has been taking place in one of the most populous countries on earth, one with a sophisticated thousand-year-long history and diverse geography. Informative and inspirational, this is a timely contribution that will be highly appreciated by all who are interested in the dynamics of a rapidly changing China under globalization.
China ranks among the most geographically varied countries around the world. The diversity of its environments and peoples is integral to understanding the ways in which economic and sociocultural change has taken place. China’s Geography presents a skillful synthesis of information to help us comprehend such change across space and time. Drawing upon a wealth of perspectives from multiple disciplines, the book remains true to the geographer’s art: exploring the implications of location with regard to both changing human and environmental landscapes and how such landscapes adapt over time. Students and scholars should consider this book essential reading.
This broad-ranging text is unparalleled in its coverage of key issues in China today, from urban development to environment. Its placement of contemporary issues in the contexts of China’s diverse landscapes and history offers students a rich opportunity to engage with these issues in a meaningful way. This book should be required reading for courses in East Asian or Chinese geography, history, sociology, anthropology, and economics.
The Chinese have two phrases describing their geography, 'vast in territory and rich in resources' (di da wu bo) and 'the land is scarce and the people are many' (di shao ren zhong). These two realities are encapsulated in China's Geography. The conundrums facing China concerning its land, people, production, politics, and culture all come together in this compelling geography of the world's most populous country.
This well-organized book . . . is a welcome addition. . . . Anyone looking for an up-to-date geography textbook on China should give this volume a close look. I also strongly recommend it as a general reader for people wanting to get a good overview of China.
A fascinating book, authoritative but not pedantic. One chapter each is devoted to Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan; the remaining 10 chapters cover various aspects of the human geography of mainland China. . . . Highly recommended.
This book provides an up-to-date, comprehensive survey of the various factors that have contributed to China's recent emergence as a global economic power and the impact of success on its natural environment and people. The authors are to be congratulated for making a major contribution to the literature, distinguished by their insightful interpretations of each topic covered. All students and scholars interested in the new geography of China should read this book.
Combining scholarship and accessibility, this informative analysis gives an updated, incisive, and refreshing portrayal of China's society and economy in the new millennium. It will be valuable for students, observers, and researchers interested in China and for all readers who want to understand the rapidly changing and globalizing world where the rise of China is increasingly a reality.
Written by four leading specialists, this thorough text on China's dramatic geographic transformation provides excellent analyses of the land, people, economy, and society in urban and rural China. Ideal for college students and the general public who wish to know the country better.
