China
China (People's Republic of China)
China is one of the world's oldest civilizations with a chronicled history of more than 5,000 years. China has gone over a long history of primitive society, slavery society, feudal society and semi-feudal semi-colonial society and the present socialist society.
With its rich history, culture and economic power, it would be an understatement to describe this country in a few words. However, with only so much space here and only so much time for you to spend there, we will give you at least a brief introduction to the world's most populous country. Here are a few quick facts [the rest is to be learned before and during your study abroad in China!]:
Located in East Asia and bordered by the West Pacific Ocean, China has a territory area of 9.6 million square km, second to Russia and Canada.
October 1, 1949 saw the founding of the People's Republic of China.
There are 56 ethnic groups in China. The Han people make up 92 percent of the country's total population, totaling 1159.4 million; and the other 55 ethnic groups, 8 percent.23 ethnic groups have their own characters.
The main religions are Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Christianity, and Catholicism. Chinese citizens' right of the freedom of religious belief is protected by the Constitution and laws.
The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, known as "the roof of the world", has many high mountains. The Himalayas, with an average elevation of 6,000 meters, have the world's highest peak Mount Qomolangma, 8,848 meters above sea level.
The Yangtze River, 6,300 km long, is the third longest in the world after the Nile and the Amazon. The Yellow River, the second longest in China, stretching 5,464 km.
The reform that started in late 1978 has turned China into the fastest growing major economy in the world. In 2007, China' s GDP registered an 11.4% growth, a 13-year high.
Since 1986, China has adopted a nine-year compulsory education system which includes 6 years of primary schooling and 3 years of junior middle schooling. When students graduate from junior middle schools, they may proceed to senior middle schools and medium-level vocational schools.
Regular higher education is comprised of diploma, bachelor, masters and doctoral degree programs. Diploma programs usually lasts 2-3 years; bachelor programs 4 years (5 years for medical school); masters programs 2-3 years; and doctoral programs 3 years.
Source: http://www.chinaculture.org/chineseway/2007-10/16/content_120906.htm
