Map
Source: CIA World Factbook
Summary Data
| summary data |
|
| Total Area (km2) |
9,596,960 |
| Land (km2) |
9,326,410 |
| Water (km2) |
270,550 |
| Population |
1,330,044,605 |
| Population Density (/km2) |
143 |
| Capital |
Beijing |
| Religion |
Daoist (Taoist)
Buddhist
Christian 3% - 4%
Muslim 1% - 2% |
| Time |
GMT +8 |
| Climate |
Tropical in south to
subartic in north. |
Source: CIA World Factbook
Geography
The People’s Republic of China is the second
largest country in Asia by area after Russia, and is considered the
third or fourth largest in the world by the U.S. Central
Intelligence Agency. The territory of the PRC contains a large
variety of landscapes. In the east, along the shores of the Yellow
Sea and the East China Sea there are extensive and densely
populated alluvial plains, while on the edges of the Inner
Mongolian plateau in the north, grasslands can be seen. Southern
China is dominated by hillsides and low mountain ranges. In the
central-east are the deltas of China's two major rivers, the Huang
He and Yangtze River (Chang Jiang). Other major rivers include the
Xijiang River, Mekong, Brahmaputra and Amur.
Government
The PRC government is usually described as
communist. Heavy restrictions remain in many areas, most notably in
the media i.e. internet and press. Restrictions also
inhibit freedom of assembly, freedom of reproductive rights,
and freedom of religion. However, compared to the mid-1970s, the
liberalization of the PRC is such that the current administrative
climate is much less restrictive than before, although the PRC is
still far from the full-fledged democracy as practiced in United
States and most of Europe. The country is ruled under the
Constitution of the People's Republic of China. Its incumbent
Paramount Leader is President Hu Jintao and the premier is Wen
Jiabao with people's congress and the Communist Party of China.
Language
Chinese is the official language, while some
Mandarin (Pǔtōnghuà) is also spoken.
Electricity
220 Volts AC, 50Hz. There are four different
varieties of plugs; three types with three pins and one version
with two.
Passports/Visa
Required by all nationals of Britain, Canada,
Australia, USA and EU. Passports must be valid for at least six
months for a single or double entry within three months of the date
of visa issue; passports must be valid for at least nine months for
multiple entries within six months.
Also, China does not recognise dual
nationality (eg US-Chinese, Canadian-Chinese) and HIV-positive
travellers are not permitted to enter the country.
Visas
Viasa are required by all foreigners,
including those who transit through China.
Passport/Visa Information
Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the
UK
49-51 Portland Place,
London W1B 1JL, UK
Tel: (020) 7299 4049.
Website: www.chinese-embassy.org.uk
Consular and visa section:
31 Portland Place,
London W1B 1QD, UK
Tel: (020) 7631
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1200.
Airports and Airlines
Beijing Capital International Airport
(PEK/BJS)
- Location: Located 20 kilometres to the
northeast of Beijing city centre.
- Contacts: Tel: 010-64541100
- Transfer between terminals: Foot passage
between terminals 1 and 2. Bus service between terminal 3 and the
other, older terminals.
- Transfer to the city: Rail link to the
city centre available. Bus services.
- Parking: Plenty of parking outside terminals 1
and 2.
- Car rental: Facilities available.
- Facilities: T3: Huge range of 72 eating
establishments, large commercial centre with shopping, banks,
internet, business & more. T2: limited facilities.
- Website: http://en.bcia.com.cn/
Standard of Living
Within the urban centres living standards are
not too dissimilar to Western standards. China’s rapid economic
growth has increased personal wealth enabling further consumer
spending. Many obvious lifestyle changes are occurring as citizens
spend disposable income on cars, fashion, property, and tourism.
The life expectancy rate is also increasing.
Principal commercial centres and towns
Though Beijing is the capital, it is not the
largest city in terms of population.
| population by city/town 2007 |
|
| Shanghai |
16,173,000 |
| Beijing |
8,495,000 |
| Hong Kong |
6,963,100 |
| Tianjin |
5,190,000 |
| Chongqing |
4,196,000 |
Source: Wikipedia
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