Presentation Transcript
Slide2: On the Yangtze River By: Richard Kleponis
Slide3: The source of the Yangtze River is in the Kunlun Mountains. It flows south towards Kunming and then to the East emptying into the East China Sea.
Slide4: The official name for the Yangtze River is the Chang Jiang (Long River). It is the longest river in Asia and the third longest in the world (3,937 miles) after the Nile and Amazon.
Slide5: The 3 Gorges Region is known for its spectacular beauty. People from around the world visit this popular tourist attraction.
Slide6: A monumental construction project is currently taking place on the Yangtze River.
Slide7: An enormous dam, that will be over a mile in length, is being built near Yichang.
Slide8: Ideas for this project were being formulated as far back as 1919 by Sun Yatsen. Due to devastating flooding in the 1950’s, Mao Zedong also considered building a dam on the Yangtze.
Slide9: Construction of the Three Gorges Dam began in 1994 and is scheduled for completion in 2009.
Slide12: A major benefit of the dam would be the tremendous generation
of hydroelectricity.
Slide13: This would help reduce pollution by
burning less coal.
Slide14: Proponents say that trade, transportation and the economy will improve due to the dam.
Slide15: One of the primary goals Is to prevent serious flooding from reoccurring.
Slide17: More than 100 towns and 10 cities will be submerged beneath the Yangtze. Over a million people will be forced to move from their homes.
Slide18: Endangered species such as the baiji dolphin may become extinct. Ancient artifacts will be submerged and unexcavated. Raw sewage and industrial waste will pollute the river.
Slide19: The Chinese government emphasizes
how the dam will benefit the people and the environment.
Slide20: While critics argue how this project
will cause harm to the people and
the environment.
Slide22: Presentation sources available upon request.