What do you know?
Where is China?
The People’s Republic of China is in the continent of Asia. It is located in the southeast of Asia and borders many countries and seas:
To the north:
- Mongolia
- Russia
To the east:
- the Yellow Sea
- East China Sea
- North Korea
To the south:
- Vietnam
- Laos
- Myanmar
- India
- Nepal
To the west:
- Afghanistan
- Pakistan
Key points
- China is the fourth largest country in the world by area. It lies in the Northern Hemisphere in the continent of Asia.
- It is one of the most populous countries in the world and the major language is Mandarin Chinese.
- The capital city is Beijing. It has a population of over 21 million.
- There are many religious groups, including Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Taoism.
Activity: Explore China
What are the physical characteristics of China?
The People’s Republic of China is the fourth largest country in the world by area. It covers an area of 9,596,960 km², which is approximately 39 times greater the size of the UK. The country spans five Imaginary lines that divide the Earth according to local time, eg hours in front of or behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)..
China is located in the Any part of the Earth that lies to the north of the Equator.. Around a third of the country is mountainous, which includes Mount Everest in the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China. The The visible features of an area of land that can be viewed at one time from one place. of China also consists of Asia’s largest rivers such as The Yangtze and The Yellow Rivers, A relatively flat area of high ground., An area that receives less than 250mm of rainfall or snow a year., and forests. China also has a very long coastline.
China’s The average weather conditions in a location based on the average weather experienced there over a period of time. varies greatly:
- The north lies at a higher Imaginary lines that run east to west around the Earth, parallel to the Equator or 0° latitude. They can be measured in degrees (°). and is further away from the sea. Temperatures are cooler and Any moisture that falls from the clouds, such as snow, rain, hail and sleet. is lower.
- The south lies at a lower latitude and is closer to the sea. Temperatures are much warmer and seasonal A seasonal wind that brings rain to parts of Asia during certain times of the year. rains fall.
- The west is mountainous and has a cooler A cool climate found in mountainous areas. climate.
China experiences several A naturally-occurring event that causes harm to people., including The shaking and vibration of the Earth's crust due to the movement of the Earth's plates (plate tectonics)., A tropical storm found in the Indian or western Pacific Ocean. Known a hurricane in the UK., An overflow of water onto surrounding land after heavy rainfall., A prolonged period of low rainfall and a high level of evaporation., Clouds of sand carried in strong winds., An unusually high tide caused by low-pressure weather systems., When a mass of rock, debris, or earth moves down a slope. and A large fire that spreads through a wooded area..
Question
Why does China’s climate vary so greatly?
China is a large country. Some areas are much further north than others. Temperatures are warmer in the south. Some areas are closer to the sea, which brings milder temperatures and increased precipitation. Some areas are mountainous, which are cooler.
What are the human characteristics of China?
Life expectancy and literacy rates
China is the second most Having a large population. country in the world after India, with approximately 1.4 billion people. Around 18 per cent of the world’s total population live in China. The average age that a person is expected to live. This varies from country to country. is 79 years. The percentage of adults that can read and write. The literacy rate in the UK is 99%. are above 97 per cent, meaning most Chinese people can read and write.
Population distribution
Most people live in the eastern half of the country. This is where the A city that is the administrative centre of a country. The country’s government may operate from the capital city, eg London., Beijing, and many other larger cities are located. Around 65 per cent of China’s population live in cities. The east of China is coastal, with many large A harbour where ships can load and unload. . Fewer people live in the mountainous and An area that receives less than 250mm of rainfall or snow a year. regions to the north and west.
Question
Describe the population distribution of China.
Most people live in the eastern half of China. Greater numbers of people are found along the coast and around main cities, such as Beijing. Few people live in the far north or west of the country.
Economy
China is an Upper Countries recognised by the World Bank as being neither high income or low income. This classification is reviewed yearly.. It is neither very rich nor very poor. China’s main To sell goods to other countries and send them out of the country to them. The goods are known as exports. are Products that are made, often in factories. goods, such as electronic machinery, clothing and footwear. The United States and Japan are major Countries that trade with one another..
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