China

China is a vast country in East Asia, bordered by 14 countries and opening onto the Pacific Ocean. Its capital is Beijing, while Shanghai is one of its largest urban and economic centers. With a land area of about 9.6 million square kilometres, China has an exceptionally varied landscape. The east and southeast contain broad plains, river valleys and densely populated coastal regions, whereas the west is dominated by high mountains, plateaus and deserts.

The Himalayas rise along the southwest, and the Tibetan Plateau is among the highest regions on Earth. Major rivers such as the Yangtze and the Yellow River have played an important role in agriculture, settlement and the development of Chinese civilization. China also has a long coastline along several marginal seas of the western Pacific. China's large size and varied relief create strong differences in climate.

The southeast is generally warmer and wetter, while the northwest is much drier, with extensive deserts and large temperature differences. The country is home to more than 1.4 billion people, although its population has declined in recent years; the World Bank recorded about 1.407 billion inhabitants in 2025. China has experienced rapid economic and urban development since the late twentieth century and is now a major global economy.

Manufacturing, services, agriculture and high-technology industries all contribute to its economy. Its geography provides major resources and diverse environments, but also creates challenges such as water management, regional inequalities and exposure to floods, droughts and other natural hazards.