Office of Diversity

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Please Join with the Diversity Council in celebrating Diversity Week. Monday we celebrate the culture of China.

From 11:00 to 1:00 Monday in Union Building 107, join us for food, music and cultural displays.

Interesting Facts about China

Total Land Area of China is 9,596,960 Sq. Kms. It is the fourth largest Country in the World. Shanghai and Beijing are two of the largest and most populous cities in the world.

At least 14 countries and 4 seas border China . Since the country is so large, climate is extremely varied.  It is sub arctic in the North and Tropical in the South.

The population of China according to a July 2006 estimate is 1,313,973,713. It is officially the most populated country in the world. The Chinese Government has adopted a “one child” policy in an effort to curb the high numbers. Unfortunately this also makes China one of the fastest aging countries .

China has an obligatory Military service of 2 years for all men between 18 and 22. Women of the same age group are also recruited for specific military jobs.

The Han Chinese is the largest majority group in China. Mandarin Chinese is the official language . However in total, 55 official minorities and 206 listed languages are mentioned.

The Jen Min Jih Pao or People’s Daily is the largest official publication .

The Tienanmen Square is the world’s largest public gathering place and the Three Gorges Dam is the biggest dam.

Chinese Civilization is one of the few ancient civilizations to have its individual writing script. The Chinese language has over 20,000 characters. The average Chinese only learns about 5,000 of these in his lifetime.

Dashanpu in the Sichuan province of China has yielded over 1000 Dinosaur Fossils . Four Winged Feathered Dinosaurs called Theropods have been found; these are considered to be the missing link between dinosaurs and birds.

Child Emperor Pu-Yi was the last imperial ruler of China in the period 1908 -1912. Empress Wu of the Tang dynasty was the only female Emperor of China .

The Great Wall of China is also known as the “Ten Thousand Li Wall”, one Li is equal to 500 meters. The wall is over 1500 miles in length.

Khubililai or Kublai Khan issued Silk Notes as currency . There was also a Jade currency .

Acupuncture treats illnesses with inserting sharp thin needles in various pressure spots, it originated over 5000 years ago from China.

The Chinese calendar is based on the Lunar Cycle . It is the oldest known calendar , originating in 2600 BC. It has twelve Zodiac signs. A complete cycle would take 60 years to complete.
Paper , Compass , Explosive Powder and Printing qualify as the ” Four Great Inventions of China “. They are also credited with having invented the wheel and the first calendar.