Week 16: Overview/ final blog post

 China, as one may know, is a grand country that comes with lots of pros and cons. Some pros can be that

the food is delicious, salaries are comparable to living costs, amazing destinations, etc. However, most times when there’s pros, there's also cons present and that's this case with this specific country. Yes, the cons may consist of many things like high surveillance, ongoing disease related difficulties, tough workloads and so on. An addition to the list could be natural hazards and catastrophes. 

China is affected by two main natural hazards: earthquakes and floods. Earthquakes occur frequently in China due to its location on several active fault lines. The country experiences an average of 18 earthquakes per year, with varying degrees of intensity. Floods are also a major natural hazard in China, particularly during the summer months when heavy rainfall is common. The country's vast river systems and low-lying areas make it particularly vulnerable to flooding, which can cause significant damage to infrastructure and agriculture.

To mitigate the risks of floods, China has implemented measures such as building dams, levees, and reservoirs, as well as improving early warning systems. For earthquakes, China has strengthened building codes and implemented earthquake-resistant designs in new constructions. Additionally, China has invested in earthquake monitoring and early warning systems. These measures have helped to mitigate the impact of these natural hazards, but continued efforts are needed to ensure the safety of the population. 

The riskiest areas for earthquakes are located in the western regions of the country, including Tibet, Qinghai, and Xinjiang. These areas are located on major fault lines and experience frequent seismic activity. In terms of floods, the riskiest areas are located in the southern regions of the country, particularly in the Yangtze River Basin. This river is famously known as the reason for floods in the area since it gets to a point where it overflows after a certain amount of rainfall. This area experiences heavy rainfall during the summer months.

In conclusion, the safest place to live in China in my opinion would be the city of Lhasa in Tibet. The reasoning behind this is because Lhasa is located on a high plateau, which makes it less prone to earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters. Additionally, the city has a dry climate with very little rainfall, which reduces the risk of landslides and mudslides. Overall, Lhasa is a secure and stable place to live in China.

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