WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -China covers an area of nearly 4 million square miles, about the same size as the United States. Physical barriers that separates China from its neighbors is a harsh desert, the Gobi. East of the Gobi are low-lying plains.

Detailed explanation-2: -The surrounding desert, mountains, and seas created natural barriers which protected the Ancient Chinese civilization from outside invaders. Its early civilization stayed contained within the natural barriers and did not start spreading until trade routes were developed.

Detailed explanation-3: -China was isolated from other civilizations because of its geography. The high Tibet-Qinghai Plateau made it difficult to communicate with civilizations to the southwest of China. The dry Gobi and Taklimakan Deserts made it difficult to communicate with civilizations to the northwest of China.

Detailed explanation-4: -China’s geography also helped to protect it against invaders. The Himalaya Mountains are the largest in the world and protect China to the southwest. To the north of China is the Gobi Desert, while the Pacific Ocean lies to the east. The Chinese were in relative isolation from the rest of the world for centuries.

Detailed explanation-5: -What three natural barriers, shown on the map, helped protect Inner China from invasion? Mountains, Deserts and Rivers. What is one factor that may have made east-west travel easier than north-south travel within Inner China in ancient times? The Yellow and Yangtze Rivers could have been one factor.