China Map | HD Political Map of China

China is the world’s most populous country in East Asia. The capital of the country is Beijing, and the largest and most populous city is Shanghai. A unitary Marxist-Leninist one-party socialist republic governs it presently. The region stands as a founding member of several multilateral and regional cooperation organizations and is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. It is the second-largest economy by nominal GDP, the largest economy by GDP at purchasing power parity, and the second-wealthiest country. The country has expanded its wealth through its large network of exports, with its market spanning almost all of the significant countries in the world. Attracting a viable amount of foreign investment, especially in the manufacturing and technology sectors, the scale of production has skyrocketed since the country changed its economic policies.

History:

The origins of the modern day nation can be traced back to the cradle of civilization in the fertile Yellow River basin of the North China Plain. In the 21st century BC, the semi-legendary Xia Dynasty and the stalwart Shang and Zhou dynasties developed bureaucratic political systems to serve hereditary monarchies or dynasties.

The first empire was formed in the third century BCE, which was the short-lived Qin dynasty. It was followed by the more stable Han dynasty, in which the empire became one of the world’s foremost economic powers. After the fall of the Han Dynasty and after centuries of division, the Sui and Tang dynasties reunited the empire. The multinational Tang Dynasty welcomed foreign trade and culture along the Silk Road and adapted Buddhism to the country's needs. It is also termed the “Golden Age” since the period saw the emergence of the city of Xi’an as a center of learning and culture. All of this took shape under the able leadership of Emperor Wu. The Qing Dynasty remains the last dynasty to have thrived, having witnessed periods of Opium wars and foreign policies starting to impact the area on a grassroots level.

The turbulent period of political and social turmoil in the nation, known as the Cultural Revolution, from 1966 to 1976 resulted in an economic and educational decline, and millions of people were purged, persecuted, or "politically murdered" depending on their political categories. Since then, the government has implemented a series of political and economic reforms that have significantly improved living standards and extended life expectancy, denouncing some of the earlier Maoist policies.

In the mid-19th century, the country was left backlogged when it had to face technologically superior nations. However, the uprising of the Communist ideology changed the fate of the nation. With the arrival of Mao Zedong, everything from economic policies to trade relations was significantly transformed, leading to the country becoming a developed country.

Culture:

The roots of culture have long emphasized a deep sense of history and a largely introverted national perspective. The central thoughts that have shaped the ideology of the region are Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, which are characterized by their reflection in traits of harmony, balance, and respect for authority.

The nation has seen various developments over the course of its history. From the development of tea to the advent of woodblock printing, the emphasis has always been on innovation and creativity. It has also developed the compass, paper, and gunpowder. These developments were readily adopted in the modern world as the phase of globalization set in, but they were initially transported through ancient trade routes like the Silk Route.

The literary emphasis has influenced the general perception of the country's cultural sophistication, such as the belief that calligraphy, poetry, and painting are higher art forms than dance or drama. It has had a long tradition of poetry writing that has survived through the works of Du Fu, Li Bai, and Bai Juyi. Some of the greatest literary achievements of China include works like Journey to the West, Dream of the Red Chamber, and Water Margin.

As the cultural revolution propelled, there was an effort made to renew the traditional artifacts and art forms. With the rise of Chinese nationalism and the end of the Cultural Revolution, various forms of traditional art, literature, music, film, fashion, and architecture were revived, with folk and popular arts in particular, arousing national and even global interest. The arena is the birthplace of martial arts like Tai Chi, Kung Fu, and Qigong. The Chinese New Year, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Dragon Boat Festival mark the key celebrations. Cheongsam is the traditional dress worn during the festivals, and it is complemented with jade and ivory jewelery. The dresses are adorned with intricate patterns that symbolize good fortune. On the other hand, officials and scholars often wear a long, flowing robe that is accompanied by the traditional Mandarin collar. Lion dance and dragon dance are the traditional folk dances.

The center of cultural activity is Beijing, as it includes major research institutes, repositories, museums, and libraries and serves as the learning center of the country. It is adorned with prime locations such as Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven, which display its artistic and architectural hallmarks.

Paintings and calligraphy, especially those found on the cave walls, can be dated back to the times of the Han Dynasty. Some of the famous art pieces include The Great Wave of Kanagawa, Along the River During the Qingming Festival, and Ming Vases. Ancient paintings made use of wash, watercolor, and silk painting, and they featured landscapes, flowers, and birds.

Apart from relying on staple food items like rice, noodles, and bread, the nation has a diverse cuisine. The country has eight major types of cuisine: Cantonese, Sichuan, Shandong, Fujian, Jiangsu, Hunan, and Anhui. The popular dishes are, namely, Peking duck, Xiaolongbao, Kung Pao chicken, Mapo Tofu, and hot pot. It is primarily distinguished from other flavors in the world due to the extensive use of soy sauce, chili peppers, and fish oil in their dishes. Chinese cuisine in turn has influenced many other cuisines, such as Japanese, Korean, and Southeast Asian dishes, the impact of which can be observed through dishes like sushi, kimchi, and spring rolls.

Language:

Mandarin is the official language of the country, but it has as many as 292 living languages, which are mostly spoken and belong to the Sinitic branch of the Sino-Tibetan family, the Tibeto-Burman branch, and other ethnic minority languages in the southwest region. The Mandarin language is used for official purposes, education, and national communication. Altaic languages are spoken by people across the northwestern and northeastern regions. There are various languages spoken in different areas. Some of the languages spoken include Cantonese, Mongolian, and Zhuang.

Geography:

The nation has vast and varied landscapes, from the Gobi Desert and Taklamakan Desert in the dry north to subtropical forests in the humid south. The land frontiers extend for about 12,400 miles (20,000 km). The Tian Shan, Himalaya, Pamir, and Karakoram Mountain ranges separate it from much of Central and South Asia.

The landscape varies considerably across vast territories. To the east, vast and densely populated alluvial plains stretch along the coasts of the Yellow and East China Seas, and to the north, vast grasslands stretch along the edge of the Inner Mongolia Plateau. The southern region is dominated by hills and low mountain ranges, while the east-central region is dominated by the delta of two of the largest rivers, the Yellow and Yangtze rivers.

The topography of China makes it prone to earthquakes, as there is intense seismic activity due to the northward movement of Indian tectonic plates beneath southern Asia.

This in turn influences the climate of the region, which also varies greatly, due to the existence of diverse landforms and its vast territory. The pattern of rain is mainly characterized by seasonal pattern of rain that bring in occasional monsoons. This supports the growth of crops like wheat, rice, cotton, and tea. The North China Plain, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Pearl River Delta are the ideal locations for cultivation due to the large amount of silt that is deposited in these regions due to the activity of the adjoining rivers. The type of climatic pattern ranges from tropical to temperate, along with the presence of Mountainous and Desert landscapes periodically thriving in certain regions of the country.

The land is not just a topographical, manufacturing or agricultural paradise; it is also a traveler’s paradise. Ranging from caves, canyons, islands, and mountains to deserts and plateaus, all these different landscapes converge in a particular country. The Qinghai -Tibet Plateau is the world’s largest plateau, and thereby it is also known as “The Roof of the World.” It has an impressive coastline along with islands like Taiwan, Hainan and Diaoyou along with stunning water bodies. Being in close association with the Pacific Ocean, the area also houses various gulfs and bays.

FAQs

Q.1. Which is the most populous country of China?

Ans. The most populous country of China is Shanghai.

Q.2. What is the currency of China?

Ans. The currency of China is the Chinese Yuan.

Q.3. What are the cultural norms and etiquettes ?

Ans. Respect for elders, remove shoes when entering homes, and use both hands when giving or receiving something.

Q.4. What are the must see attractions?

Ans. Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors, and Panda Research Center.

Q.5. Is the country safe for tourists?

Ans. It is generally safe, but one needs to be cautious and take normal precautions to ensure safety.

Q.6. What is the best way to get around ?

Ans. Flights, high-speed trains, buses, and taxis are convenient ways to travel.