The Yangtze Riverand The Three Gorges Dam

China• The world’s most populated country

– 1.3 billion people

• 90% live in the eastern ½– most major cities– most suitable farmland

• One of the world’s largest economies, but most Chinese still live “modestly”

China• The government still controls much of

the economy.• Since the early 1980s, the

government has given some control over to individuals.

• As the standard of living increases, more people want consumer goods (cars, refrigerators, tvs…)

China• One of the largest producers and

consumers of coal.• Coal-burning plants provided 75% of

China’s electrical energy.– hydroelectric plants and oil-burning

plants provide the rest

China• Farming is main economic activity

– more than 50%– most people live in rural villages

• Only 14% of China’s land is arable.• Have managed to provide enough

food for all people– droughts and floods interrupt production

the Yangtze River• 3,964 miles long

– looks like a dragon

• aka “Chang Jiang” or long river• world’s 3rd longest river• source: Tannula Mountains of Qinghai

Province– height of the mts causes rapid flow

• empties in the East China Sea

the Yangtze River• longest and most important in China

– “lifeblood of China”

• thousands live on its banks • 1/3 of China’s farms are irrigated by the

river• about ½ of China’s ocean trade is carried

over the Yangtze and its tributaries• important cities: Shanghai, Nanjing,

Anqing, and Chongqing.

the Yangtze River• Dangerous floods have killed millions,

destroying villages and towns in the process.– 1931: 3.7 million died from drowning,

disease or starvation– 1954: 30,000 died and 19 million

became homeless– 1998: 3,000 killed

Three Gorges area• said to be “the cradle of

China’s 4,000 year old civilization”

• records from each dynasty found in area

the Three Gorges Dam• world’s most powerful dam• named for 3 gorges or steep canyons

found in area• location: Hubei province (central China)

– Sandouping, Yichang, Hubei Province • supposed to control floods and provide

hydroelectric power• plans for a dam were thought of 100

years ago

the Three Gorges Dam• Construction began in 1994.• size: 1.4 miles long and 604 feet high• will be completed in 2008

– one year ahead of schedule

• costs start at $22 billion• 25,000 workers are working 24 hours

per day in 3 shifts to complete it.

the Three Gorges Dam• 26 turbines weighing 400 tons each will produce

18,200 megawatts of power equal to 18 nuclear power plantsenough to light up Shanghai on a peak day

with power to spare.• A 370 mile reservoir 525 feet deep will be

created.– length of Lake Superior

• 240,000 acres of cropland will be out of production (50% of all farming takes place in area

the Three Gorges Dam

http://www.threegorgesprobe.org/tgp/panos_page2.html