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China
Map of China
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China
Map of China |
Population: 1.262 million
Capital: Beijing
Official language:
Ethnic groups: Han Chinese 91.9%, Zhuang, Uygur, Hui, Yi, Tibetan,
Miao, Manchu, Mongol, Buyi, Korean, and other nationalities 8.1%
Background: For centuries China has stood as a leading civilization,
outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences. But in the first
half of the 20th century, China was beset by major famines, civil unrest,
military defeats, and foreign occupation. After World War II, the Communists
under MAO Zedong established a dictatorship that, while ensuring China's
sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life and cost the lives
of tens of millions of people. After 11038, his successor DENG Xiaoping
decentralized economic decision making. Output quadrupled in the next 20
years and China now has the world's second largest GDP. Political controls
remain tight even while economic controls continue to weaken.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
More Background: BBC Country profile: China
Artists from China:
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Hong Kong
Map of Hong Kong Eastern Asia (China) |
Population: 7 million
Capital:
Official language: Chinese (Cantonese), English
Ethnic groups: Chinese 95%, other 5%
Background: Occupied by the UK in 1841, Hong Kong was formally
ceded by China the following year; various adjacent lands were added later
in the 19th century. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and the UK
on 19 December 1984, Hong Kong became the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region (SAR) of China on 1 July 19103. In this agreement, China has promised
that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic
system will not be practiced in Hong Kong and that Hong Kong will enjoy
a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs
for the next 50 years.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
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Japan
Map of Japan Eastern Asia (China) |
Population: 126 million
Capital: Tokyo
Official language: Japanese
Ethnic groups: Japanese 99.4%, other 0.6% (mostly Korean)
Background: While retaining its time-honored culture, Japan rapidly
absorbed Western technology during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
After its devastating defeat in World War II, Japan recovered to become
the second most powerful economy in the world and a staunch ally of the
US. While the emperor retains his throne as a symbol of national unity,
actual power rests in networks of powerful politicians, bureaucrats, and
business executives. The economy experienced a major slowdown in the 1990s
following three decades of unprecedented growth.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
More Background: BBC Country profile: Japan
Artists from Japan
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Korea, North
Map of Korea, North Eastern Asia (China) |
Population: 21,5 million
Capital: P'yongyang
Official language: Korean
Ethnic groups: racially homogeneous
Background: Following World War II, Korea was split into a northern,
communist half and a southern, Western-oriented half. KIM Chong-il has
ruled North Korea since his father and the country's founder, president
KIM Il-sung, died in 1994. After decades of mismanagement, the North relies
heavily on international food aid to feed its population, while continuing
to expend resources to maintain an army of over 1 million, the fifth largest
in the world. North Korea's long-range missile development and research
into nuclear and chemical weapons are of major concern to the international
community.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
More Background: BBC Country profile: North Korea
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Korea, South
Map of Korea, South Eastern Asia (China) |
Population: 47,5 million
Capital: Seoul
Official language:
Ethnic groups: homogeneous
Background: Following World War II, a republic was set up in
the southern half of the Korean Peninsula while a communist government
was installed in the north. Between 1950 and 1953, US and other UN forces
intervened to defend South Korea from North Korean attacks supported by
the Chinese; an armistice was signed in 1953. Thereafter, South Korea achieved
amazing economic growth, with per capita income rising to 13 times the
level of North Korea. In 19103, the nation suffered a severe financial
crisis from which it continues to make a solid recovery. South Korea has
also maintained its commitment to democratize its political processes.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
More Background: BBC Country profile: South Korea
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Macau(special administrative region of China)
Map of Macau Eastern Asia (China) |
Population: 450.000
Capital:
Official language:
Ethnic groups: Chinese 95%, Macanese (mixed Portuguese and Asian
ancestry), Portuguese, other
Background: Colonized by the Portuguese in the 16th century,
Macau was the first European settlement in the Far East. Pursuant to an
agreement signed by China and Portugal on 13 April 1987, Macau became the
Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China on 20 December 1999.
China has promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula,
China's socialist economic system will not be practiced in Macau and that
Macau will enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign
and defense affairs.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
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Taiwan
Map of Taiwan Eastern Asia (China) |
Population: 22 million
Capital: Taipei
Official language: Mandarin Chinese
Ethnic groups: Taiwanese (including Hakka) 84%, mainland Chinese
14%, aborigine 2%
Background: In 1895, military defeat forced China to cede Taiwan
to Japan, however it reverted to Chinese control after World War II. Following
the communist victory on the mainland in 1949, 2 million Nationalists fled
to Taiwan and established a government that over five decades has gradually
democratized and incorporated the native population within its structure.
Throughout this period, the island has prospered to become one of East
Asia's economic "Tigers." The dominant political issue continues to be
the relationship between Taiwan and China and the question of eventual
reunification.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
More Background: BBC
Country profile: Taiwan