About China

Location

China, the world's third largest country in area, borders 14 nations and claims a 9,000-mile coastline. Its vast sea surface is studded with more than 5,000 islands, of which Taiwan and Hainan are the largest.

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Population

With just over 1.3 billion people, China is the world's largest and most populous country.

As the world's population is approximately 6.6 billion, China represents a full 20% of the world's population so one in every five people on the planet is a resident of China.

China's population growth has been somewhat slowed by the one child policy, in effect since 1979.

Capital

Beijing, the capital of the People's Republic of China is the nation's political, cultural, scientific and educational heart as well as a key transportation hub. Beijing has served as the capital of the country for more than 800 years dating back to the Yuan Dynasty.

The city has many places of historic interest and scenic beauty, including the Forbidden City -- the largest and best preserved ancient architectural complex in the world.

Beijing is a fine example of the great transformation China has undergone as it burst into the 21st century. The city boasts the most modern facilities and is able to provide all the comfort and enjoyment imaginable to visitors who travel to Beijing. Traveling around Beijing, one is struck by the city's impressive skyline, the modern Olympic Village, ocean world and International Park.

Language

The official spoken language of the Chinese is generally referred to as Mandarin (known locally as ‘Putonghua’) and is originally the dialect of northern China. Mandarin is now spoken by virtually every Chinese person throughout the country. Major efforts have also been made to modify the written language, using simplified characters, and a type of shorthand.

Religion

China is a multi-religious country. Taoism, Buddhism, Islamism, Protestantism and Catholicism have all developed quite a following in this country. Freedom of belief is a government policy, and normal religious activities are protected by the constitution.

No religion has ever assumed a dominant position in China. Foreign religions, influenced and assimilated by time-honored Chinese Culture and tradition have gradually become religions with Chinese characteristic. Religious believers make up only a tiny proportion of the 1.3 billion Chinese people.

Weather

China’s climate is not dissimilar to that of the continental United States and varies from region to region. The climate southeastward of the Yangtze-Huang Ho divide is quite distinctive from the rest of China, generally warmer and wetter. Average annual precipitation generally exceeds 750 mm in the south, more near the coast, and decreases northward from the divide.