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China, located in eastern Asia, has one of the world's
longest uninterrupted civilizations, dating back more than six millennia. For
centuries, China was the world's most advanced civilization, and the cultural
center of East Asia, with an impact lasting to the present day.
China is the source of many great inventions including Paper,
the compass, gunpowder, and printing. China was also the first country to use
paper money.
In 1911, the Nationalist Party under Dr. Sun Yat-sen overthrew
the Ch'ing Dynasty and established the republic. However, the Chinese Civil War
following WWII resulted in two Chinese states in 1949: People's Republic of
China on the mainland, and the Republic of China in Taiwan.
For a more detailed
country profile, see CIA World Factbook on China.
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