China

Geographical location: East Asia

Size: Largest country in Asia, third largest globally

Bordering countries: Russia, Mongolia, North Korea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam

Landscape: Himalayan Mountains, Gobi Desert, and the Yangtze River

Climate: Varied climate from tropical in the south to subarctic in the north

Population: More than 1.4 billion people

Capital city: Beijing

Other important cities: Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shenzhen

Language: Mandarin Chinese

Religion: Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism

Currency: Renminbi (Chinese yuan)

Cuisine: Diverse, with regional specialties and unique cooking styles

Famous tourist attractions: Great Wall of China, Terra Cotta Warriors, Forbidden City

Interesting historical facts: Over 5,000 years of history; ruled by various dynasties, with the most recent being the Qing dynasty (ended in 1912); contributions to art include calligraphy and painting; technological advancements include the Silk Road, the invention of paper, gunpowder, and the compass