Population: 1,336,718,015 (July 2011 estimate)
Capital: Beijing
Major Cities: Shanghai, Tianjin, Shenyang, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Harbin, Chengdu
Area: 3,705,407 square miles (9,596,961 sq km)
Bordering Countries: Fourteen
Coastline: 9,010 miles (14,500 km)
Highest Point: Mount Everest at 29,035 feet (8,850 m)
Lowest Point: Turpan Pendi at -505 feet (-154 m)
China is the third largest country in the world in terms of area but it is the world's largest based on population. The country is a developing nation with a capitalist economy that is controlled politically by communist leadership. Chinese civilization began more than 5,000 years ago and the nation has played a crucial role in world history and is continuing to do so today.
Government of China
China's government is a communist state with unicameral legislative branch called the National People's Congress that is made up of 2,987 members from the municipal, regional and provincial level. There is also a judicial branch comprised of the Supreme People's Court, Local People's Courts and Special People's Courts.
China is divided into 23 provinces, five autonomous regions and four municipalities. National suffrage is 18 years of age and the main political party in China is the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). There are also smaller political parties in China, but all are controlled by the CCP.

Geography and Climate of China
China is located in Eastern Asia with its borders along several countries and the