China is a cultural region in East Asia. China ranges from mostly plateaus and mountains in the west to lower lands in the east. Principal rivers flow from west to east. The climate of China varies greatly. The northern zone (containing Beijing) has summer daytime temperatures of more than 30 degrees Celsius and winters of Arctic severity. The central zone (containing Shanghai) has a temperate continental climate with very hot summers and cold winters. The southern zone (containing Guangzhou) has a subtropical climate with very hot summers and mild winters.
The stalemate of the last Chinese Civil War has resulted in two political entities using the name China: the People's Republic of China (PRC), administering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau; and the Republic of China (ROC), administering Taiwan and its surrounding islands. The PRC is governed under the one-party system by the Chinese Communist Party, but the ROC has moved towards a more democratic government.
Both states are still officially claiming to be the sole legitimate ruler of all of "China". The ROC had more international support immediately after 1949, but most international diplomatic recognitions have shifted to the PRC. The ROC representative to the United Nations was replaced by the PRC representative in 1971.
China's population exceeds 1.3 billion, making it the most populous nation in the world. There exist hundreds of different groups yet the PRC recognizes only 56, with the ethnic group of Han being the largest. Although China's religion is secular and atheist, Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucian have been the dominant religious followings for the past two millennia. China has the world's longest continuously written language. China is a place you could spend years in and not fully experience everything China has to offer.
Some of the most popular adventures in China include following the Silk Road, sailing down the Yangzi River, or exploring the Dr. Seuss land of Guangxi Province. Another great event to witness is the Dragon Boat Festival held in Hong Kong. Usually held in June, the festival honors the poet Qu Yuan and features races between teams in long ornate canoes. Many Westerners take part in the races as well.
Quick Facts
Population: 1,343,239,923
Capital: Beijing
Per-capita GDP: $ 8500
Size: 9,596,961 km2
Time Zone: (GMT + 08:00 hours) Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei, Chongqing, Urumqi
Country information is adapted from public domain resources including the CIA World Fact Book and www.Wikipedia.org.
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