China's Geography: Globalization and the Dynamics of Political, Economic, and Social Change

(Paperback, Fourth Edition)

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Despite China's clear and growing importance on the world stage, it remains often and easily misunderstood. Indeed, there are many Chinas, as this comprehensive survey, the most current and authoritative introduction available, vividly illustrates. Now in a thoroughly revised and updated edition, this text 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 show contemporary China as a product of both internal and external forces. They consider historical and current successes and difficulties, including economic, political, cultural, and environmental challenges, while placing China in its international context as a massive, developing, diverse nation that is meeting the needs of its 1.4 billion citizens while becoming an aggressive major regional and global player. Through clear prose and 160 insightful maps, tables, and photos, China's Geography illustrates and explains the great economic, political, and social differences found throughout China's many regions.

Accompanying the book is a companion website that provides a wealth of additional materials, including sample lectures, color versions of all the graphics, time series and provincial data files for student projects in Excel, lists of favorite films and websites, and public domain maps for student use.

Reviews

The most informative, insightful, up-to-date, and readable account of the diverse and ever-changing geography of China as an important player of our interdependent world. Drawing on a wide range of complementary perspectives and the decades-long experience of four outstanding scholars, it provides a compelling and illuminating documentation of the phenomenal changes affecting not just one-fifth of the human race but the entire planet as well. An essential reference and must-read for anyone interested in China and global developments. -- George C. S. Lin, University of Hong Kong
A nuanced understanding of nations is essential in todays interconnected world, and the fourth edition of Chinas Geography delivers a timely refresher. Now more than four decades into its economic transition, China faces a spectrum of shifts and transitions. This book presents multiple perspectives on critical issues throughout the countrys vast and diverse geography. A valuable source of knowledge for students and general readers alike. -- Weiping Wu, Columbia University; author of The Chinese City
Chinas Geography is a compelling and comprehensive text that engages with a wide range of Chinas current opportunities and challenges and places these topics in geographical and historical context. Students in courses in East Asian or Chinese geography, history, sociology, anthropology, politics, and economics will benefit from its clear and evidence-based approach. This timely new edition offers substantially updated treatment of topics such as Chinas global expansion via the Belt and Road Initiative, rising inequality, environmental issues, and the political struggle over Hong Kong. -- Piper Gaubatz, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Author Bio

Gregory Veeck is professor of geography at Western Michigan University. Clifton W. Pannell is professor emeritus of geography at the University of Georgia. Xiaoping Shen is professor of geography at Central Connecticut State University. Youqin Huang is professor of geography and planning and a research associate of the Center for Social and Demographic Analysis at the University at Albany, SUNY.