Mainland China covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometers and is bordered on the east by a seacoast of more than 18,000 kilometers in length. China also has 5,000-plus islands in its vast territorial seas.

China spans 50 latitudinous degrees and therefore its climate varies throughout the country. Most of the country is in the temperate zone, with only a small part extending south into the tropical and subtropical zones, while its most northern tip is close to the frigid zone.

China is one of the world’s oldest civilizations with a chronicled history of more than 5,000 years. In 221BC, Qinshihuang established the Qin Dynasty, the first feudal autocracy in Chinese history. This established a 2,000-year period of feudalism, which lasted through a succession of dynasties such as the Han, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing. This period began its decline with the Opium War of 1840 and finally met its demise in the Revolution of 1911 led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen. October 1, 1949, saw the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

China has a population of over 1.2 billion, or 22 percent of the global total, making it the world’s most populous nation. China is home to 56 ethnic peoples, including Hans, Manchus, Mongols, Tibetans, and Uyghur’s, with the Hans making up 92 percent of the nation’s total population. All the ethnic peoples are equal regardless of the size of their populations.

China is a multi-religious country. Taoism, Buddhism, Islamism, Christianity and Catholicism have all found a following in this country. Freedom of religious belief is a government policy, and the Constitution protects all normal religious activities.

Chinese is the universal language in China; it is also one of the five working languages designated by the United Nations. Most of the 55 ethnic minorities, however, have their own written and spoken languages.

China today consists of four municipalities, 23 provinces, five autonomous regions, and one special administrative region.

Beijing is the capital of the People's Republic of China.

The Chinese Yuan, also known as Renminbi, is used throughout mainland China, while in Hong Kong and Macau, the Hong Kong dollar and Pataca are used respectively. The rate of exchange is approximately $1US = 6 Yuan.