Were the Polos the first Europeans to reach China? The first European in China: the life story of Marco Polo and a journey to China Which of the Europeans visited China.
4. Who were the leaders of the Russian expedition to the shores of Antarctica? 5. What were the names of the ships of the expedition led by Thaddeus Bellingshausen and Mikhail Lazarev? 1. What was the goal of the organizers of the first Russian round-the-world expedition? 3. Why, after the voyages of J. Cook, no one tried to repeat the attempt to discover Antarctica? 4. Why did F. Bellingshausen and M. Lazarev decide that they had discovered a new continent? 5. Why can one judge the expedition to the shores of Antarctica only by drawings to the scientific reports of its participants? 6. Why are icebergs dangerous for sailors?
*Attention! Only one correct answer is possible for all questions. The expedition made the first round-the-world trip:A) Christopher Columbus
B) Fernand Magellan
C) Vasco da Gamma;
D) Marco Polo.
2. The largest state in the world by area:
A) USA; B) China; C) Australia; D) Russia.
3. Date of discovery of Australia:
A) 1606;
B) 1894;
C) 1492;
D) 1524.
4. Determine the anthropogenic natural complex:
A) the sea
B) a river
C) a lake
D) reservoir.
5. The great Polish astronomer, who observed the stars and planets, concluded that the Earth revolves around the Sun:
A) J. Bruno;
C) N. Copernicus;
C) G. Galileo;
D) A. Samossky.
6. What is the name of the waters of the first aquifer from the earth's surface?
A) ground
B) waterproof
C) interstratal;
D) superficial.
7. The largest planet solar system, named after the main Roman god:
A) Mars
B) Jupiter
C) Venus
D) Uranus.
8. Zero meridian passes through the city:
A) London
In Paris;
C) Berlin
D) Moscow.
9. According to the hypothesis of O. Yu. Schmidt, our compatriot, the globe arose:
A) from a rotating hot gas cloud;
C) from a giant cold gas and dust cloud;
C) from interstellar matter;
D) when a celestial body (comet) collides with the Sun.
10. The highest mountains in the world are called:
A) Caucasus; B) Andes; C) Alps; D) Himalayas.
11. The longest river on our planet:
A) the Yangtze
B) Nile
C) Michigan;
D) Baikal.
12. Physical and geographical science:
A) soil geography;
C) political geography;
C) population geography;
D) economic geography.
13. Define the natural area according to the description: “There is very little heat in this natural area, the soil is bound by permafrost, the natural community is made up of mosses, lichens, reindeer, arctic fox.”
A) taiga
B) savannah
C) tundra;
D) desert.
14. What is the largest desert in South America?
A) Atacama; B) Kalahari; C) Namib; D) Victoria.
15. Anthropogenic geographical object:
A) the Suez Canal
C) East European Plain;
C) the Pacific Ocean;
D) the Lena River.
Australia, North America, Eurasia, Antarctica, Africa. C) Europe, Asia, South America, Australia, Antarctica. 2. The first circumnavigation was made by: A) F. Magellan, B) Przhevalsky F.F.
3. The coasts of Africa are washed by the seas: A) the Arctic Ocean B) the Arctic, Atlantic, Pacific, Indian oceans C) the Atlantic, Indian, South 4. The highest mountain system South America are: A) Andes, B) Himalayas, Pamir, Tibet C) Rocky Mountains, Coast Range 5. The largest rivers in Africa: A) Missouri, Mackenzie, Yukon. B) Nile, Congo, Niger. C) Volga, Amur, Syr Darya. 6. States of South America: A) Brazil, Argentina, Chile B). USA, Canada, Mexico. C) China, Russia, Kazakhstan. 7. Mountains of North America: A) Andes B) Appalachians
8. Extreme points of Africa: A) Almadi, Ben-Seka, Igolny, Ras-Hafun B) York, Southeast, Southwest, Byron C) Roca, Chelyuskin, Piay, Dezhnev 9. Which ocean is the warmest in terms of surface temperature water? 1) Indian 2) Pacific 3) Atlantic 4) Arctic. 10. Which statement about the USA is not true? A) Appalachian mountains are located in the east of the country. b) The capital of the United States is the city of Washington. C) The westernmost point of North America is located on the territory of the United States - Cape Prince of Wales. D) The United States is the third largest country in the world. 11. Which statement is wrong? a) China is the most populated country in the world. B) The coastal part of China is characterized by a monsoonal climate. C) The Yangtze River, which flows through China, is the longest river in Eurasia. D) The largest territories in China are occupied by the natural zone of steppes and forest-steppes. 12. Which of the following cities is the capital of Australia? A) Melbourne B) Sydney
II. In tasks 13 - 15, match the country and its capital. 13. Country
1. Poland
2. Estonia
3. Switzerland
14. Country
1. Georgia
2. Saudi Arabia
3. Mongolia
15. Country
1. Canada
2. Brazil
3. Argentina
III. In tasks 16 - 17, identify the state by its brief description
16. The state is located in Western Europe. The capital is located on one of major rivers. The state language is spread throughout the world due to the colonial past of this state. The symbol of the capital of the state is the tower built for the World Trade Exhibition.
17. The state is located on the African continent and occupies a coastal position. The territory of the state is washed by the seas that are part of two oceans. The seas are connected by a shipping channel.
The Venetian merchant and traveler does not mention in his notes either the Great Wall of China or tea, just as he does not talk about chopsticks or the custom of bandaging the feet of girls from noble families. Historians, on the other hand, pay attention to the fact that today completely different traditions are associated with Chinese culture than in the days of Marco Polo.
The traveler's contemporaries hardly believed his stories about distant China. In his work entitled "The Book of the Diversity of the World", he described exotic lands, unknown civilizations and countless treasures that were delivered to European markets. The travels of the Venetian merchant excited the imagination of his readers. But let's think about how plausible his stories are? Has Marco really been to China?
The history of the Polo family in East Asia began in 1260. Nicolò and Mateo Polo, Marco's father and uncle, sold everything they owned in Constantinople, an important trading center in both Europe and Asia, and went to Sarai Batu, located in the territory of the Mongol Empire. A group of Venetians caught the attention of the Great Khan, who had never met the Italians before and was fascinated by the interaction with them.
A year later, the Polo family came to the court of Khubilai, the grandson of the founder of the empire, Genghis Khan. Khan ordered the Polo brothers to return to Italy in order to find 100 prominent people capable of becoming a decoration of his yard. Upon his return to Venice, Nicolo learned that in his absence his son Marco was born. During the second expedition of Nicolo Polo to the court of the Great Khan, in 1271, he was accompanied by his 17-year-old son.
From 1271 to 1295 Marco and his family spent in the heart of Asia, in China, at the Court of Kublai. All this time, Marco Polo dictated incredible, amazing stories to the clerk. One of these stories described the mobile bamboo palace of Kublai Khan, as well as his summer residence, Shangdu, which, thanks to the memoirs of the Venetian, became a real symbol of oriental luxury. From another story, we learn about the Khan's court, which shone with noble nobles, sages, monks and sorcerers.
On the territory of Armenia, Marco Polo visited the mountain where Noah's Ark was said to have ended up; in Persia, he visited the supposed tomb of the Magi, where the imperishable relics of Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar rested. Upon his arrival in China, he became one of the first European writers to mention oil and understand, albeit partially, the importance of coal. Marco Polo and his clerk Rustichello of Pisa embellished their stories with numerous legends and set out all the adventures in a very accessible language, not alien to literary canons.
However, as the story unfolds and travelers move deeper into Asia, some inconsistencies become more and more apparent. The world of the East turns out to be shrouded in a haze of legends and fiction, and the genre of memoirs smoothly flows into science fiction, more and more reminiscent of Gulliver's Travels. After the Polo family reached Beijing, Marco, among other foreigners, entered the service of the Great Khan. According to some records, everything at the court was truly gigantic. Marco Polo revealed to Europeans the most severe discipline that reigned in the Mongol army, as well as the existence of huge cities, such as Kinsai, modern Hangzhou, where there were about one million inhabitants and 12 thousand bridges.
How plausible are the stories of Marco Polo?
A clear penchant for fiction and some unconvincing details have led historians to doubt that Marco Polo really ended up as far away in Asia as his book claimed. It is known that he visited Mongolia, however, some researchers wonder why he does not mention the Great Wall of China, tea, chopsticks, or the custom of bandaging the feet of girls from noble families? Maybe the Venetian's foot never set foot on the lands of the Celestial Empire, and he learned all the details from travelers and from Persian books?
Some doubts resolve themselves. The state of the Great Wall of China in the Middle Ages is unknown, since at the beginning of the New Age it was almost completely rebuilt by order of the rulers of the Ming Dynasty. It is likely that during the journey of Marco Polo, only ruins remained from the fortification.
Some of the traditions that are today associated in our minds with Chinese culture may not have been of particular importance to the Venetian, and besides, Marco's opinion was strongly influenced by the Mongols who then ruled in this part of the world.
In 2012, the German researcher Hans Ulrich Vogel published the most comprehensive historical study examining Marco Polo's voyages for credibility. In addition to the arguments already given in defense of the Venetian, the historian draws our attention to the fact that not a single European and, in general, not a single author cites such complete description Chinese coins of that period, as well as the process of obtaining salt. A comparison was made between Polo's story about how salt was mined in the Chinese city of Shanglu and authentic documents from the Yuan Dynasty era. In addition, Marco is the only one who has described the technique of making paper from mulberry bark with amazing accuracy. Only someone who personally saw how this happens could describe everything in such detail.
In the XIII-XIV centuries, during the period of Mongol rule, steps were taken in China for the first time to establish contacts between East Asia and Europe. These contacts were of historical significance, and Chinese historians to this day continue to include them among the positive achievements. Although much of the information about China received by the Europeans was subsequently forgotten, the basis for a better mutual understanding and closer ties was laid. During the years of their highest power, the rulers of the Ming dynasty sent ships on long-distance sea expeditions, up to the islands of the Malay Archipelago and the coast of Arabia. However, the Ming emperor Yong-le ordered the destruction of the entire fleet, believing that there was no need for the Chinese to travel to other parts of the world. Such limitations were no doubt one of the main reasons why China failed to realize in time the significance of the slow but steady penetration of Europeans into Asia and, in particular, into China. Until the arrival of the Portuguese in Guangzhou (Canton) in the 16th century. The Chinese considered their empire to be the Middle Kingdom, the center of culture and civilization. According to them, the emperor ruled the country because he possessed the highest moral qualities. These qualities he could pass on to all others, both Chinese and barbarians - non-Chinese living in the north. When envoys from nomadic peoples or the peoples of Southeast Asia arrived in China, the Chinese believed that their only goal was to enlist the favor of the Chinese emperor and borrow Chinese culture. Delegations from these areas bordering China, as a rule, arrived at the imperial court with numerous gifts. They were given a magnificent reception, and often they returned with gifts much more valuable than those they brought as a gift to the Chinese emperor. This meant showing condescending generosity and pursuing certain diplomatic goals, but in no case could be considered evidence of a meeting on equal terms. The same attitude was shown towards the first foreigners who arrived in China in the second half of the Ming Dynasty.
The advent of Europeans
The first organized group of Europeans (Portuguese) arrived in Guangzhou, located on the southern coast of China, in 1516. They were treated as emissaries from a foreign power who brought gifts. The Chinese were suspicious of such features of the appearance of alien guests as long noses and deep-set eyes. Even today, the Chinese colloquially refer to foreigners as "long-nosed."
After the Portuguese, the Spanish, the Dutch and the British came to China. In the XVI century. the first missionaries arrived from Europe to China, in particular Mateo Ricci, who founded a Catholic mission there, and Adam Schall von Bell. Having not achieved any noticeable success in their missionary activities, they were able, thanks to their extensive scientific knowledge, to become advisers to the emperor.
The perception of China by Europeans was significantly influenced by the position of the Jesuit missionaries, who were characterized by both admiration for China and a disdainful and negative attitude towards everything Chinese.
IN XVII-XVIII centuries in the royal houses of Europe, the passion for Chinese exoticism was very strong, and it became fashionable to arrange "Chinese" cabinets in the houses of great nobles. Many pundits were then fascinated by Chinese theories and concepts.
European penetration into China
The penetration of Europeans into China had by the middle of the XVII century. long history. In the conditions of the weakening of the Ming Empire, the Portuguese managed to establish de facto control in Aomyn (Macau) already in 1557, in 1624 the Dutch captured part of Taiwan and held it for many years, in 1637, after the bombardment by English ships, the port of Guangzhou was opened for Western European trade (Canton). But the entry of European ships into other ports of China was prohibited. At the same time, Western European missionaries also penetrated into China, among whom the Jesuits should be especially noted.
In the first half of the XVII century. Russian-Chinese relations are being established. In 1618, the Russians received from the emperor the right to come with embassies and trade in China.
The feudal-absolutist regime of the shoguns of the Tokugawa house, which united feudal Japan, in response to the penetration of Western European merchants and missionaries into the country, who spread Christianity with great success, subjected the Japanese Christians to cruel repressions, tens of thousands of whom were executed.
The Japanese, under the threat of death, were forbidden to leave their homeland, and Europeans to come to the country. Only the Dutch retained a trading post on an island near Nagasaki, where since 1641 5 Dutch ships were allowed to enter every year so that trade was carried out only on this island. So, 99 years after the Europeans settled in Japan, a regime of self-isolation was established, which had a serious impact on the economic and political situation of the country.
As you can see, by the middle of the XVII century. the presence of Europeans in the countries of East Asia is already felt to a certain extent. Much greater was the role of Western European colonizers in South and Southeast Asia, in those regions that the Europeans of the XVII-XIX centuries. called the East Indies (East India).
Great discoveries on earthContent
1
1
Who Invented the Compass? 1
What was the first Viking settlement? 1
Who were the first Arab travelers? 2
What was the knowledge of the Europeans compared to the knowledge of the Arabs? 2
Who was the first to visit China? 2
Were the Polos the first Europeans to reach China? 2
How did people find out about Marco's adventures? 2
When was the great era of travel? 2
What state opened the great era of travel? 2
Who was the first to sail around the southern tip of Africa? 3
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Which European reached India by sea? 3
What were the busiest years in the great era of travel? 3
Who discovered America? 3
Where did the name "America" come from? 3
Where did Columbus think he was going? 3
Did Columbus really set foot on the American mainland? 3
Were the Polos the first Europeans to reach China?
How did people find out about Marco's adventures?
Who Invented the Compass?
The Chinese invented the compass about 4,000 years ago. However, Europeans began to use it about a thousand years ago.
What was the first Viking settlement?
The Vikings discovered Iceland for the first time in 860 when a group of travelers went astray. Irish monks, however, had been there 65 years earlier. Scandinavia, where the Vikings were from, was very harsh on Earth.
Who were the first Arab travelers?
The Arabs played an important role in the history of travel. In the VI-VII centuries. They conquered a huge territory, spreading their scientific knowledge and their religion - Islam.
What was the knowledge of the Europeans compared to the knowledge of the Arabs?
The Europeans knew much less in the fields of science, such as mathematics and geography, than the Arabs at that time. Their view of the world was based on Christian beliefs. On European maps The earth was depicted as a circle with Jerusalem in the center.
Who was the first to visit China?
China, located on Far East was a hard to reach place. In 1271, Mark Polo, the son of a merchant from Venice (Italy), reached Beijing with his father and uncle and spent many years in the company of the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan (in Russian transcription - Khubilai).
Were the Polos the first Europeans to reach China?
No. The road known as the Silk Road, which ran from China to the west, had been used by merchants since 500 BC, but the Polos were the first Europeans to travel the length and breadth of the country and have contact with the Chinese rulers.
How did people find out about Marco's adventures?
On his return home in 1295, war broke out between the Venetians and the Genoese, and he was imprisoned. While in prison, Marco dictated his story to another prisoner. Many did not believe what was written in his book. It told about the exploration of oil and coal deposits, magnificent palaces, elephant parades, 100,000 white horses donated to Kublai Khan and amazing precious stones which clearly exceeded the imagination of the Venetian citizens.
When was the great era of travel?
XV-XVI centuries often referred to as the great era of travel because so many discoveries were made during that time. Sea routes to the East were laid; unexplored lands were explored, such as America, the West Indies and the Pacific Islands.
What state opened the great era of travel?
Portugal, early 15th century The sails of ships sailing from the port of Lisbon sailed south until the winds turned them to the east. The caravels were not large - about 24 m long.
Who was the first to sail around the southern tip of Africa?
Portuguese captain Bartolomeo Dias, in 1487.
He had two caravels and a large cargo ship. He rounded the Cape of Good Hope, but the crew refused to go any further.
Which European reached India by sea?
The Portuguese navigator Vasca da Gama lost two ships and half of his men, but returned to Portugal with a cargo of spices and jewels taken from India.
What were the busiest years in the great era of travel?
Most of the discoveries were made in an incredibly short period of time - 34 years:
1487 Diaz bypassed Africa from the south.
1492 Columbus reached the West Indies.
1497 English explorer John Cabat reached Newfoundland, beyond North America.
1498 Do Gama reached India by sea.
1519-1521 Magellan sailed in the Pacific Ocean.
Who discovered America?
In 1492, Christopher Columbus traveled from Spain across the Atlantic to the West Indies and discovered the New World, the existence of which the Europeans did not suspect. But people lived in America for thousands of years before Europeans sailed there.
Where did the name "America" come from?
It comes from Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian adventurer who claimed to have reached the Americas in 1497, but this is highly doubtful.
Where did Columbus think he was going?
Columbus believed that he was sailing to China. When he got to the West Indies, he insisted that these were islands beyond China.
Did Columbus really set foot on the American mainland?
No. He landed first in the West Indies. Later, he made three more voyages to the shores of the West Indies. The third time he reached Panama, in Central America, he never landed on the North American mainland.