China
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Country Profile
Photography (*)
Buddhist priest at the Temple of Heaven - Beijing |
Forbidden City - Beijing |
Lotus Flower - Beijing |
Bamboo plants on Tiger Hill - Suzhou |
Entrance at Cold Mountain Temple - Suzhou |
Temple of Heaven's Garden - Beijing |
West Lake - Hangzou |
Turtle Head Park - Wuxi |
Pudong and the Oriental Pearl Tower - Shanghai |
White Peacock - Hangzhou |
Green Tea - Hangzhou |
Copper Artist - Beijing |
Great Wall of China |
Meditation - Beijing |
Chinese Art - Beijing |
History
Archaeological evidence of the first modern human in China dates to approximately 67,000 years ago. China was one of the most ancient centers of human societies. Amongst a few other civilizations, writing was invented and developed independently. Rice was cultured in 5000 BC, and metallurgy appeared in 2200 BC under the mythical first Xia Dynasty. Bronze Age began under the Shang Dynasty in 1700 BC.
For 4,000 years, dynasties in China have emerged and fallen down. Most dynasties have known prosperity periods where the Chinese advanced in arts, medicine and technology. But when times were bad the emperor became weaker, not able to remedy wars or natural catastrophes. If the emperor was not acknowledged, he could have been overthrown by a strong war chief, who himself then claimed the Mandate of Heaven.
In 1912 China saw the fall of the last emperor, the six year old Xuantong Emperor, and the Republic of China was created. The country went through the Japanese invasion, World War II and civil war, where China became fragmented and powerless.
After the victory of the communist forces in the Chinese Civil War, the People's Republic of China was established led by Mao Zedong. The Communist Party retained its monopoly on power, maintaining strict control over the people.
Since 1979 China has changed its economy and permitted competition. Today China has the world's highest rate of economic growth. The downside of the industrial boom has been environmental degradation.
Geography
China is the third biggest country in the world, although some say it is the fourth if some disputed territories with India are considered.
China borders on fourteen countries in Asia, including India, Vietnam, Russia and North Korea. In the east, along the coastline of the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea, there are very densely populated areas.
The geography of China is very diverse. There are hills, plains and river deltas in the east; deserts and mountains in the west. The highest peak in the world, Mount Everest is partly located in China.
The Climate varies from tropical to the south, and subarctic to the north. The Gobi desert is growing, probably due to the bad agriculture practices causing erosion, drought and dust storms.
Politically, there are two names that represent China. The People's Republic of China (PRC) which governs mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau; and the Republic of China (ROC), which governs Taiwan, the Pescadores, the Matsu Islands and Kinmen.
With recent economical and industry evolution, China's cities are very polluted. The panda, which is facing extinction, is becoming a world symbol for the threatened natural habitats. In 2007 China will be the world's highest producer of greenhouse gases.
Culture
The culture of China has evolved from one of the world's most complex civilizations. Traditional Chinese culture is mostly associated with customs of the Quing Dynasty (1644 to 1911 AD).
China's official language is Mandarin Chinese, which started to be nationalized during the Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644 AD), and became more commonly unified during the era of the Republic of China in the 1910s. Chinese calligraphy was created by the Song Dynasty (1051 to 1108 AD).
Although 59% of the Chinese population identify itself as non-religious, a large part of the Chinese culture is based on the idea of the existence of a spiritual world. Buddhism is the country's largest organized religion, while Taoism and Confucianism play a considerable part in some regions.
There are 56 distinct Asian ethnic groups recognized by China, where the Han Chinese dominating with 92% of the population.
Physical exercises are very present in China. The elderly commonly practice Tai Chi in the mornings. Sporting culture in China is amongst the oldest in the world. It is believed that a form of football was played in 1000 AD. Today's popular sports include martial arts, gymnastics, table tennis, badminton, basketball and swimming, where Chinese athletes perform greatly in international competition. Beijing will host the Summer Olympic Games in 2008.
The People's Republic of China censors some culture event, as well as the internet. But the appearance of contemporary art in China enabled the artists a certain encrypted freedom of expression.
Interesting Facts
- China is the most populous country, having 20% of the world's total population.
- 94% of the Chinese population live in the eastern third of the country.
- Many elements of the modern world originated in China, including paper, gunpowder, the compass, credit banking and paper money.
- China has seven of the world's ten most polluted cities.
See Also
Australia
Brazil
Canada
China
References
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (www.wikipedia.org).
BBC News - Country Profile: China (news.bbc.co.uk).
China facts on National Geographic (www3.nationalgeographic.com).
World Flag Database (www.flags.net).
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All photographs have been taken by Dr Anto Youssef. For specific informations concerning any picture, please write by email (a new window will open). |