China

China

Official namePeople’s Republic of China
Date established1 October 1949 (PRC founded)
RegionAsia — East Asia
Capital cityBeijing
Population (2024 est.)~1.425 billion (approx.; subject to census updates)
Area9,596,961 km²
Density~149/km² (average)
CurrencyRenminbi (yuan) (CNY)
Official languageStandard Chinese (Mandarin) — Putonghua
Time zoneChina Standard Time (CST) UTC+8 (single national time)
Calling code+86
Major religionsOfficially atheist state; Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, Islam practiced
Emergency – Police110
Emergency – Rescue/Ambulance120 (medical), 119 (fire)
National symbolFive-star red flag, national emblem with Tiananmen & stars
National flowerPlum blossom (symbolic)
National animalGiant panda (national treasure)
National sportTable tennis widely recognized; dragon boat, badminton, football popular
Literacy rate~96–97%
Human Development Index~0.768
GDP (nominal, 2024)~$19–19.5 trillion
Major industryManufacturing, services, technology, agriculture, mining
National festivalNational Day — 1 October; Chinese New Year (major traditional festival)
ClimateVast — tropical in south to subarctic in north; varied continental and monsoonal influences

Map of China