ChinaPopulation: 1.3 billion Government type: Communist. Only one party exists Main Religions: Buddism, Taoism, Christian (approximately 3% of population) Official language: Chinese/Mandarin China has one of the most documented histories in the world. As a nation it has existed for more than 4000 years although no specific time frame is known as to its formation. The original China would have been far different to its modern day boundary. Before traditional country borders were known more tribal aspects meant that regions of control were known rather than country borders as we know today. As to the first occupants in the area that forms modern day China, archeologists have found skeletons of early human origins that are at least 200000 years old but could also date back before 2.2 million years ago. That places China historically as a possible place for modern human creation rather than Africa. Of the recorded history of China around 4400 years ago the first Dynasty created was called Xia. Think of a dynasty as an empire with an emperor. Since that time there has been many dynasties as listed below in Pinyin (latin letters):- Xià, Shāng, Xī Zhōu, Dōng Zhōu, Qín, Xī Hàn, Xīn, Dōng Hàn, Sān Guó, Xī Jìn, Dōng Jìn, Nán Běi Cháo, Suí, Táng, Wǔ Dài Shí Guó, Běi Sòng, Nán Sòng, Liáo, Jīn, Xī Xià, Yuán, Míng, Qīng China has always had a strong mythology. Ghosts, gods and elemental creatures with amazing powers who can be good or evil but always a hero seems to be central to these myths. Someone with the courage and strength to stand up to the oppressor. Jade has always been highly prized in China and carved sculptures of jade can range in size for millimetres to feet in height all made from single pieces of raw jade. The rarest jade sculptures from hundreds of years ago are worth millions. Chinese theatre is also highly stylized and one of the best known types of theatre is shadow puppetry. White screens with a light shining behind are the medium for this theatre. Silhouettes of trees, people, monsters, animals and hero`s are moved by people to form stories. Many years of training is required to be considered a master. The chinese people are very hard working and excellent at business. The modern world just could not exist without the ability of the chinese to make products for a fraction of the price of the western world. This is now leading to China being the fastest growing and potentially strongest nation in the world within a couple of decades. Nice to see that this great country is finally achieving the success that most of the western world is envious of.
|