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Explore the diverse landscape of China, from the Gobi Desert to the Himalaya Mountains. Learn about China's ancient civilization, dynasties, and the construction of the Great Wall. Discover the country's communist government, evolving economy, and rich cultural heritage.
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Geography China is located on the continent of Asia. The GobiDesert and part of the Himalaya Mountains are found in China. The world’s largest plateau, a high flat land, is located in China. The Plateau of Tibet is called the “Roof of the World.” The Yangtze and Yellow Rivers are important to China for transportation and farming.
History China’s civilization is more than 4,000 years old. For many centuries, until the early 1900’s, emperorsor rulers governed China. The emperors were part of dynasties, line of rulers from a single family, would hold power until overthrown. Then a new leader would start a new dynasty.
As their civilization grew, the Chinese tried to keep out invaders. This was easy as most of their borders have natural barriers like deserts, mountains, and seas to provide protection, but China still was threatened from the north. To defend this area, the Chinese built the Great Wall of China. This man made wall is considered a great achievement and stretches 4000 miles long.
In 1911, a Chinese uprising led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen overthrew the last emperor. China became a republic, a country governed by elected leaders. The country was in disorder until the Nationalist political party took over. After WWII, the Nationalist lost control to the Communist party.
The Nationalists and 1.5 million refugees then fled to Taiwan. Fearing a communist invasion, they kept a large army in hopes of one day retaking China. Today, China claims Taiwan as its 23 province, a regional political division similar to a state, and believes it should remain under their control. China has threatened to use force against democratic Taiwan if they declare independence.
Government In 1949, China became a communist state or totalitarian,a country whose government has strong control over the society and economy. The people of China were under government control; all their land and factories were taken from them. Many people were killed because they opposed communism.
However, a new leader in 1976, Deng Xiaoping, wanted to make China a more open country by giving people more economic freedoms, but still keep tight control over its people. In 1989, thousands of students gathered in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square demanding a democracy for China. The government sent in tanks and troops killing hundreds of protesters and arrested thousands.
The People’s Republic of China has only 1 political party, the Communist Party of China. All positions of power are occupied by its members. President Hu Jintao The President is elected by the ruling party members, not the people.
Economy Due to communism, China has a command economy,the government controls all production, prices, and wages in a country. However, China is now allowing more Western freedoms and a freeenterprise system, where the government allows individuals more choices in their jobs and to own businesses.
To help allow more economic freedoms, China has pledged “one-country, two-systems” – a policy to blend communism with capitalism and some Western freedoms. The change in China’s economy from a completely command economy to a mixed economy is also due to many Americancompanies moving their businesses to China.
China’s economy depends on many products America imports. Recently, some of these products were found to have substances in them that have been banned by the USA. Americans were quickly informed of this health problem by the internet and the media.
Culture There are 1.33 billion people in China, about 1/5 of the world’s population. The eastern part of China is where most of the people live. 70% of China’s people live in rural areas. Most are poor and have hard lives. More than 460 million people live in urban areas. Many moved from the country for a better life.
Kongfuzi, a Chinesethinker, taught that people should be polite, honest, brave, and wise. He said children should obey their parents and the elderly. “To know what you know and what you do not know, that is true knowledge.” - Kongfuzi Kongfuzi’s teachings shaped the government and society until the 1900s.
Another thinker named Laozi, taught Daoism, a teachingonpeoples’ wayoflife. He said that people should live simply and in harmony with nature. Daoism’s beliefs attracted many artists and writers. “If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.” - Laozi
Buddhism, a religion and philosophy based on the teachings of Siddhārtha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha. It was founded in the India subcontinent between the 4th and 6th centuries. In 100 AD, Buddhism came to China. This religion teaches that prayer, right thoughts, and good deeds could help people find relief from life’s problems. Most of the people in China are Buddhists.
Over time, the Chinese have mixed Buddhism, Daoism, and Kongfuzi’s ideas together. This mixture of spiritual heritage still influences many Chinese today. The Chinese are known for their art, calligraphy architecture, jade jewelry, and cuisine. A few things the Chinese invented include paper, printing, compass, gunpowder.
