China

China is the largest country in East Asia and one of the earliest civilizations, dating back to 2100 B.C. Since October 1, 1949, after the last Chinese Civil War, China has been broken up into two governments. The People's Republic of China, considered Communists, govern mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, while the Republic of China, considered Nationalists, control Taiwan and a few outlying islands.

China has the largest population in the world with well over 1 billion people living there. That is 1/5th of the worlds total population! China is known for its exporting of "everything", including fish, oil, coal, silk, and cotton. http://www.muddlepuddle.co.uk/The%20World/Country%20pages/china%20facts.htm It also produces and exports a large portion of the worlds tea. China also produces 60% of the world's bicycles! As of 2005, they became the #1 exporter of goods to the United States. http://www.lilith-ezine.com/articles/politics/Interesting-Facts-China.html

China has the biggest population in the world with over 1.3 billion people. Population, dominating international trade, and focus on economic development, have helped China emerge from a past filled with famine, foreign military occupation, and civil unrest, to become the world's fourth largest economy. China is also the biggest consumer of steel, copper, and concrete, and the second largest importer of petroleum.

Political freedom is rigidly controlled by the Chinese government. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Reporters Without Borders, have all criticized the Chinese government for its censorship of free speech and open information. The Tienanmen Square Massacre in 1989 and the Tibetan protests 2008 against PRC's rule over Tibet, are examples of the human rights issues that put China under constant scrutiny by the international community.

For a seven-day period starting on June 13, 2009, Shanghai, gay citizens were able to observe the first Gay Pride festivals in the country's history. Although there was no parade, the event featured film screenings, plays and panel discussions. The absence of a parade during the festival was said to have been more of an opposition to the idea of exemplifying pride, rather than a homosexual lifestyle.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/15/shanghai-pride-china-gay_n_215785.html

• Google Maps: China Map

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• Wikimedia: Atlas of the China

• Wikipedia: Geography of China