The official name is the People's Republic of China (PRC). It is the world's most populous nation and the third largest by land area.

The term "China" is believed to derive from the Qin dynasty (221-206 BC). Historically, the country has referred to itself as "Zhōngguó" (中国), meaning "Middle Kingdom" or "Central Country", reflecting its ancient belief in being the center of the world.

China is located in East Asia, bordering the Pacific Ocean. It is the third largest country in the world by land area, encompassing a vast geography that includes deserts, high mountains (Himalayas), and extensive plains.

It has the longest land border in the world (around 22,117 km), sharing borders with 14 countries, including Russia, India, Mongolia, Vietnam, North Korea, and Pakistan, underscoring its central geopolitical position in Asia.

The capital of China is Beijing (Peking). It is the political, cultural, and innovation center of the country, and one of the oldest cities in the world.

With a metropolitan population exceeding 21 million inhabitants, Beijing is a crucial node for government, major corporations, and international diplomacy. Its advanced infrastructure makes it a capital logistic and transportation key in Asia.

China is a Socialist Republic governed by the Communist Party of China (CPC), as established by its Constitution. It is described as a people's democratic dictatorship. The system of government is structured around several branches of power:

• Head of State: The President of the People's Republic of China.
• Executive Power: The State Council (the cabinet), led by the Premier. It is the supreme administrative organ.
• Legislative Power: The National People's Congress (NPC), the highest organ of state power. It is unicameral and approves laws and the budget.
• Central Leadership: The Central Military Commission (CMC) and the CPC, whose authority is supreme in decision-making.

China shares the longest land border in the world, spanning around 22,117 km. It borders 14 countries, representing a vast network of entry and exit points, crucial for its trade and geopolitics:

• Russia, Mongolia, North Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, India, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan.

The extensive coastline on the Pacific Ocean is fundamental to its major economic centers and its role as a global exporting power.

Standard Mandarin (Pǔtōnghuà) is the official language and the lingua franca in China. It is based on the Beijing dialect and is used in the education and government.

However, China has great linguistic diversity. Numerous Chinese dialects (such as Cantonese and Wu) are recognized, as well as minority languages of ethnic groups, including Tibetan, Uyghur, and Mongolian.

China is officially an atheist state under CPC leadership but guarantees freedom of religious belief to its citizens, provided that these activities are carried out within legal frameworks and do not disrupt social order.

The five officially recognized major religions are Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism (via the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association), and Protestantism.

A large part of the population practices a mixture of traditional folk beliefs, Confucianism, and Buddhism, without formal affiliation.

The official currency of China is the Yuan Renminbi (RMB), whose ISO code is CNY. The basic unit is the Yuan (¥). It is divided into 10 jiao and 100 fen.

The Renminbi is issued by the People's Bank of China (PBOC). It is the second most traded currency in Asia and its value is closely controlled by the government, being a key factor in global economic stability.