The National Geography Standards

The National Geography Standards for this program include standards 4, 11, and 12. You may read in-depth descriptions of specific standards by clicking on the links below. All of the standards are available here.

Standard 4: The physical and human characteristics of places.

Standard 11: The patterns and networks of economic interdependence on Earth's surface.

Standard 12: The processes, patterns, and functions of human settlement.

The case studies highlight two areas of economic growth in China, each of which provides an example of rural and urban interdependence tied to international trade. Shanghai: Head of the Dragon shows how an increase in trade with foreign countries has spurred new development in Shanghai. The second case study, Sijia: Small Town, Big Change, features the village of Sijia, where a garment factory that produces products destined for export has increased the workers' standard of living.