China Background

Let's start with a brief overview of China. The third largest country after Russia and Canada, China is the most populated at 1.3 billion, roughly 1 fifth of the world's population lives in China. Formally referred to as the People's Republic of China, she has a history that is as long as the Great Wall. Civilization first formed in China in 8,000 BC, that's 10,000 years ago! Her Capital is Beijing and the largest city is Shanghai. China is made up of 91% Han Chinese with 55 other ethnic minorities making up the remaining 9%. The Han are found in the east closest to the fertile Pacific basin area with the minorities populating the mountains, deserts, and plains of the western lands. The currency is the Renminbi (yuan) which is worth about 16 cents US, making roughly 8 Yuan to the dollar. In China, except Hong Kong, people drive on the right.