10.2003 - Source: UK Home Office

Country report of October 2003 ("Country Report - October 2003") [#49232],  [ID 3522]

"Geographical Area

2.1. The People's Republic of China (PRC) is situated in eastern Asia and is bordered by the Pacific Ocean in the east. The third largest country in the world, it has a land area of 9.6 sq. km, one fifteenth of the world's landmass. It has land borders with Mongolia and Russia to the north; Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan to the north-west; Afghanistan and Pakistan to the west; India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam to the south; and North Korea in the north-east. Administratively China is divided into 22 provinces, five autonomous regions, four municipalities and 2 special administrative regions. It's capital is Beijing sometimes referred to as Peking. The English Language edition of the People's Daily newspaper contains a useful summary of all 22 provinces. Please note this is a semi-official newspaper and therefore includes Taiwan (Republic of China, ROC) as a province of the PRC. (See Taiwan for an explanation as to why) http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/china/19990914A103.html

2.2. China is often described as a three-section staircase, starting at 4,000 m in the West; Quighai and Tibet (Xizang), descending in an arch at 1,000 - 2,000 m eastwards towards Nei Mongol, then turning southwards at 500 m through Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan provinces. The majority of Chinese live in central and eastern China, many of them having to contend with the risk of seasonal flooding."

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