China Overview

Basic Facts

• Full name: People’s Republic of China (PRC)

• Date of establishment: October 1, 1949

• Population: 1.328 billion (2008), about 22% of the world’s population

• Capital: Beijing

• Largest city: Shanghai

• Area: 9.6 million sq kms (3.7 million sq miles)

• GDP: 8.7%(2009), 9.6%(2008), 11.9%(2007), 10.7%(2006), 9.9%(2005)

• Majority ethnic group: Han

• Total of 56 ethnic groups with their own dialects and custom

• Major religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism

• Official language: Mandarin Chinese ( called “Pu Tong Hua” in Chinese)

• Currency: yuan (CNY) or Renminbi (RMB)

• Civil electrical power: AC 220V, 50Hz

• Life expectancy: 71 years (men), 75 years (women) (UN)

• Exchange rate: one USD to 6.8 RMB as of December 2009

• Internet domain: .cn, 中国

• International calling code: +86

• Provinces: 23 provinces, 5 autonomous regions and 4 provincial-level municipalities of Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin and Chongqing

• Special Administrative Regions (SARs): Hong Kong and Macau

• Map of China (Administrative Divisions)

For more information about China, please contact us.