China

China Flag

Basic Information | China

Official NamePeople’s Republic of China
Common NameChina
ContinentAsia
RegionEast Asia
Capital CityBeijing
Largest CityShanghai

Geography | China

Total Area (sq km)9,596,961
Land Borders14 countries (Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Vietnam)
Coastline14,500 km
Major RiversYangtze, Yellow, Mekong
Major MountainsHimalayas, Kunlun, Tian Shan
ClimateMostly temperate; tropical south, subarctic north

Demographics | China

Population~1.4 billion
Population Density148/sq km
Urbanization~64% of population lives in cities
Official Language(s)Mandarin Chinese
Regional LanguagesCantonese, Shanghainese, Tibetan, Uighur
Major Ethnic GroupsHan (92%), Zhuang, Hui, Uyghur, Tibetan
Major ReligionsBuddhism, Taoism, Christianity, Islam

Government & Politics | China

Government TypeSocialist one-party state
Current LeaderPresident Xi Jinping
Administrative Divisions23 provinces, 5 autonomous regions, 4 municipalities
Independence / Founding DateOctober 1, 1949 (PRC established)

Economy | China

CurrencyRenminbi (Yuan, CNY)
GDP (Nominal)~$17 trillion (2024 est.)
GDP Per Capita~$12,500
Major IndustriesManufacturing, Technology, Agriculture, Finance
Major ExportsElectronics, machinery, textiles, steel
Major ImportsOil, high-tech equipment, raw materials
Trade PartnersUSA, EU, Japan, ASEAN countries

Culture & Society | China

National SymbolsRed flag with 5 stars, Dragon, Panda
National SportTable Tennis (unofficial)
Famous FestivalsChinese New Year, Mid-Autumn Festival, Dragon Boat Festival
Cuisine HighlightsDumplings, Peking Duck, Hotpot, Dim Sum
Literature & ArtsConfucianism, Calligraphy, Chinese Opera
UNESCO Heritage SitesGreat Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Army

Travel & Tourism | China

Top Tourist AttractionsGreat Wall, Forbidden City, Zhangjiajie, Li River
Best Time to VisitSpring (April–May), Autumn (Sept–Oct)
Famous CitiesBeijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Guangzhou, Chengdu
Visa RequirementDepends on nationality (most need a visa)

Other Key Facts | China

Time Zone(s)UTC+8 (single time zone)
Internet Domain.cn
Calling Code+86
Major AirportsBeijing Capital, Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou Baiyun
Currency Symbol¥
Literacy Rate~97%
Life Expectancy~78 years
Interesting FactChina is the world’s most populous country and has the world’s longest high-speed rail network.

China on the World Map

China on the World Map

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