What is the relationship between China’s population and the three great “topographic steps”? That is where were most people located, and why?
Chinas spatial socio-economic structures is determined by it special natural characteristics and structure, which is reflected in its physical geographical differentiation; it is divided into the three great steps and natural zones. These determine the great regional economic disparity in China’s development. This pattern of a natural structure determines China’s future spatial pattern for economic degree to a great extent. Its natural condition, apparently greatly vary; thus, this meant that the epitome of such great disparities is that the major share of both economic growth and economic aggregate is concentrate greatly in the coastal areas. China’s natural structure is a significant element of the development of its functional zones. The characteristics of its natural structure also determine and affect the basic setup of China’s territorial development.
In fact, much of China is ecologically difficult to access and is fragile; this explains why the majority of Chinese population lives within the eastern coastal and lowland zones. Additionally, this can be explained by reasons for protecting territories and resources for the long-term, especially, for those vulnerable environmental and ecological areas, from determination and decline. This thus makes the industrial, metropolitan, and population agglomerate belts more sustainable for development. A huge chunk of China’s population is found in the third topographic step, the plains and rolling hills of eastern China. In fact, all 25 of China’s affluent metropolis are found on the east coast further, out of the 20 richest metropolises in China, 14, of them are found in the two river delta regions of the Pearl River delta region and the Yangtze River Delta. This is because this third topography has a myriad of rivers, which according to Veeck et al. (36) occupy a special place in the urban development of China. They have great cultural significance as important elements in the way the people of China perceive territory and space; they are also markers of great difference in environmental systems. Thus, this is why most of China’s population is concentrated in the third topography, while the first and the second topographies are sparsely populated.
- Veeck, Gregory et al. China’s Geography: Globalization and the Dynamics of Political, Economic, and Social Change. New York: Rowman & Littlefield, 2011. Print.
