The People’
s Republic of China is located in the eastern and central parts of Asia, with borders on the Pacific Ocean and 14 other countries, including India, Vietnam, and North Korea. China is the world’
s most populous nation, with over 1.3 billion citizens. It is the world’
s fourth largest country in terms of land mass and the diverse geography includes forests, beaches, mountains, deserts and 7,600 islands. Modern China blends 5,000 years of history with high technology and bustling cities. In addition to major industries such as electronics, China is one of the world’
s largest agricultural exporters.
Climate in China
Since China is a very large country, the climate varies significantly across different locations, from sunny beaches to chilly mountains. However, the country in general enjoys a moderate year-round climate. Winters tend to be cold and dry, with temperatures in the south being as much as 40 degrees C warmer than the north. Summers tend to be rainy, with smaller temperature differences. The southeast part of the country receives the most rain and the northwest the least.
Culture
Although there are 56 distinct ethnic groups in China, more than 90 percent of the population is Han Chinese. Social values are based on Confucian and Tao religious principles and the business culture values relationships rather than rigid operating rules.
The Chinese have a long and distinct history of literature, music, art, architecture, martial arts and fashion. Major cultural destinations include the Forbidden City and 798 Art District in Beijing, the Tian Tan Buddha in Hong Kong, and the 2000-year-old Great Wall.
Chinese cuisine comes in countless varieties across different regions and is considered to be one of the best in the world.
Cost of Living
The overall cost of living is very low, from about $200-$400 (US) per month depending upon location;
larger cities are generally more expensive, but still very reasonable. Since few Chinese citizens own cars, public transportation such as buses and rail are well developed and inexpensive to use.