China

The People's Republic of China is the world's most populous country, with over 1.4 billion inhabitants. It is located in East Asia and borders 14 countries, more than any other country in the world. China is known for its rich history, its rapidly growing economy, and its great geographical diversity. China has an area of approximately 9.6 million square kilometers, making it the fourth largest country in the world. The country has a varied geography with deserts (e.g. the Gobi Desert), high mountains (the Himalayas, including the world's highest mountain, Mount Everest on the border with Nepal), rivers (the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers), and fertile agricultural areas. The climate varies from tropical in the south to subarctic in the north. China is one of the world's oldest continuous civilizations, with a documented history spanning over 3,000 years. The Empire of China lasted until 1912, when the last emperor was deposed and the Republic of China was established. After a civil war between the Nationalists and the Communists, the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949 by Mao Zedong and the Communist Party of China. China is the world's second-largest economy after the United States (measured in nominal GDP) and the world's largest in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP). Since the 1980s, the country has implemented economic reforms that have transformed it from a centrally planned economy to a more market-oriented model. China is now a leading manufacturer and exporter of goods, particularly in electronics, steel, and textiles.