Interesting Facts about China -
- Total Land Area of China is 9,596,960 Sq. Kms. It is the fourth largest Country in the World. Shanghai and Beijing are two of the largest and most populous cities in the world.
- At least 14 countries and 4 seas border China . Since the country is so large, climate is extremely varied – it is sub arctic in the North and Tropical in the South.
- The population of China according to a July 2006 estimate is 1,313,973,713. It is officially the most populated country in the world. The Chinese Government has adopted a “one child” policy in an effort to curb the high numbers. Unfortunately this also makes China one of the fastest aging countries .
- China has an obligatory Military service of 2 years for all men between 18 and 22. Women of the same age group are also recruited for specific military jobs.
- The Han Chinese is the largest majority group in China. Mandarin Chinese is the o fficial language . However in total, 55 official minorities and 206 listed languages are mentioned.
- The Jen Min Jih Pao or People's Daily is the largest official publication .
- The Tienanmen Square is the world's largest public gathering place and the Three Gorges Dam is the biggest dam.
Ancient Facts about China -
- Chinese Civilization is one of the few ancient civilizations to have its individual writing script. The Chinese language has over 20,000 characters. The average Chinese only learns about 5,000 of these in his lifetime.
- Dashanpu in the Sichuan province of China has yielded over 1000 Dinosaur Fossils . Four Winged Feathered Dinosaurs called Theropods have been found; these are considered to be the missing link between dinosaurs and birds.
- Child Emperor Pu-Yi was the last imperial ruler of China in the period 1908 -1912. Empress Wu of the Tang dynasty was the only female Emperor of China .
- The Great Wall of China is also known as the “Ten Thousand Li Wall”, one Li is equal to 500 meters. The wall is over 1500 miles in length.
- Khubililai or Kublai Khan issued Silk Notes as currency . There was also a Jade currency .
- Acupuncture treats illnesses with inserting sharp thin needles in various pressure spots, it originated over 5000 years ago from China.
- The Chinese calendar is based on the Lunar Cycle . It is the oldest known calendar , originating in 2600 BC. It has twelve Zodiac signs. A complete cycle would take 60 years to complete.
Fun Trivia about China -
- Paper , Compass , Explosive Powder and Printing qualify as the “ Four Great Inventions of China ”. They are also credited with having invented the wheel and the first calender.
- Ice cream was invented in China in 2000 BC, by packing a milk and rice mixture in the snow. Marco Polo took the recipe of Ice Cream and Noodles back with him to Europe.
- Century Eggs , also known as One Hundred Year or One Thousand Year old Eggs are a delicacy in China . Usually these eggs are processed with special ingredients and buried underground for some days or weeks.
- China has 3240 Television Broadcast Stations and 259 FM channels.
- In Hong Kong , cars are driven to the left side of the road, following the British way, but the rest of China drives on the right side.
- People have been drinking tea in China for over 1800 years. Chinese White Tea is basically boiled water.
- Chi Le Mei You – “Have you eaten?” is the most traditional Chinese greeting .
- The Martial Art Kung Fu was invented by the Shaolin Monks who used it to protect themselves from robbers in lonely mountain roads.
