facts on china

* Total Land Area of China is 9,596,960 Sq. Kms. It is the
fourth largest Country in the World. Shanghai and Beijing are two of the largest and most populous cities in the world.
* At least 14 countries and 4 seas border China . Since the country is so large, climate is extremely varied it is sub arctic in the North and Tropical in the South.
* The population of China according to a July 2006 estimate is 1,313,973,713. It is officially the most populated country in the world. The Chinese Government has adopted a "one child" policy in an effort to curb the high numbers. Unfortunately this also makes China one of the fastest aging countries .
* China has an obligatory Military service of 2 years for all men between 18 and 22. Women of the same age group are also recruited for specific military jobs.
* The Han Chinese is the largest majority group in China. Mandarin Chinese is the o fficial language . However in total, 55 official minorities and 206 listed languages are mentioned.
* The Jen Min Jih Pao or People's Daily is the largest official publication .
* The Tienanmen Square is the world's largest public gathering place and the Three Gorges Dam is the biggest dam.