PENNSVALLEY
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Lesson 71: (Cont.)
Natural Resources and Economy of East Asia
Secondary Industries
Recall that secondary industries deal with making products from raw materials obtained from
natural resources. Japan has very few natural resources.Despite this fact, its economy is based upon
manufacturing. In fact, Japan has one of the largest economies (generates money) in the world.
Raw materials are imported into Japan. In turn, Japanese companies manufacture a huge variety
of products, especially in the high-tech realm. Taiwan and South Korea also have fewer natural
resources.However,manufacturingproducts are thebackboneof their economies.Chinahas recently
becomean industrial giant aswell.Muchof China’s industry is locatedamong its larger eastern cities,
such as Beijing and the ports of Shanghai andHongKong.
SouthKorea and Japan are two of the largest shipbuilding nations in theworld.Ships are required
for the fishing industry and tomovemanufactured trade goods.
Japan also is one of the world’s leaders in producing cars. South Korea has entered this world
market aswell.More recently, Chineseworkers have been producing cars for theworldmarket.
With the exceptions of Mongolia andNorth Korea, the countries of East Asia areworld leaders in
producing high-tech electronic products.Many computers, computer chips, cameras, cell phones, and
televisions aremade inEast Asia.
Becauseof themountainous landscape throughout the region, there is tremendoushydroelectricpower
potential. Inparticular, China isbuilding the largest hydroelectricdam in theworldalong theYangtzeRiver.
Tertiary Industries
Recall that tertiary industries deal with services, such as transportation, tourism, or finance.Hong
Kong, a southern island port of China, is one of the world’s largest (third) finance and trade centers.
The capital cities of Tokyo, Seoul, andBeijing are also finance and trade centers.
Moving goods and people are tertiary industries. Goods are shipped all over the world from large
port cities, such as Hong Kong, Shanghai, andTokyo. These large cities also have subway systems.
Japan has a high speed “bullet train” transportingmillions of people among its large cities. In addition,
Taiwan will soon have a bullet train. China has approved the building of a fast-speed train that can
travel more than 200miles per hour betweenShanghai andBeijing.
Tourism is amajor industry in Hong Kong.Macao, another one of China’s port cities, is a favorite
tourist site.Many people visit Japan as well.
Another tertiary industrycenterson researchanddevelopment.Japanspends largeamountsofmoney in
thisarea. In thatway, companiescan invent newproductsand improveupon theones theyhavedeveloped.
ACTIVITY 2:
Use the information contained under the subtitles of Secondary Industries and Tertiary Industries to
answer the following questions.
1.Which country generates themost money from its
products. In other words, it has the largest economy.
2. Besides cars, what other group of goods is this region known for?
3. Is eastern or westernChinamore industrialized?
4.Which country spends themost money on research and
development?
East Asia
