China (Chinese: 中国; pinyin: Zhōngguó; lit.: 'Central State; Middle Kingdom'), officially the People's Republic of China (PRC; Chinese: 中华人民共和国; pinyin: Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.[7] Covering approximately 9.6 million square kilometres (3.7 million mi2), it is the world's third or fourth-largest country by area.[k] Governed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the state exercises jurisdiction over 22 provinces,[l] five autonomous regions, four direct-controlled municipalities (Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, and Chongqing), and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau.
People's Republic of China
Anthem: 义勇军进行曲
Yìyǒngjūn Jìnxíngqǔ
("March of the Volunteers")
Land controlled by the People's Republic of China shown in dark green; land claimed but not controlled shown in light green.
CapitalBeijing
39°55′N 116°23′ELargest cityShanghai (urban area)
Chongqing (city proper)[a]Official languagesStandard Chinese[b]Recognised regional languages
ReligionSee Religion in ChinaDemonym(s)ChineseGovernmentUnitary Marxist-Leninist[1] one-party socialist republic[2]• Party General Secretary
and PresidentXi Jinping[e]• PremierLi Keqiang• Congress ChairmanLi Zhanshu• Conference ChairmanWang Yang• First Secretary of the Party SecretariatWang Huning• Secretary of the Discipline Inspection CommissionZhao Leji• First Vice PremierHan Zheng• Vice PresidentWang Qishan[f]LegislatureNational People's CongressFormation• First pre-imperial dynastyc. 2070 bce• First imperial dynasty221 bce• Republic established1 January 1912• Proclamation of the People's Republic1 October 1949• Current constitution4 December 1982• Last polity admitted20 December 1999Area• Total9,596,961 km2 (3,705,407 sq mi)[g][5] (3rd/4th)• Water (%)2.8%[h]Population• 2019 estimate 1,400,050,000[7] (1st)• 2010 census1,340,910,000[7] (1st)• Density145[8]/km2 (375.5/sq mi) (83rd)GDP (PPP)2020 estimate• Total $29.471 trillion[9] (1st)• Per capita $20,984[9] (67th)GDP (nominal)2020 estimate• Total $15.269 trillion[9][note 1] (2nd)