China's historical civilization dates from at least 3200 B.P. China alternated between periods of unity and disunity under a succession of imperial dynasties. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the country was beset by civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation.

After World War II, the Chinese Communist Party under Mao Zedong established an autocratic socialist system that, while ensuring China's sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life and cost the lives of tens of millions of people.

After 1978, Mao's successor Deng Xiaoping and other leaders focused on market-driven economic development and by 2000 output had quadrupled. For much of the population, living standards have improved dramatically but political controls remain tight.

Since the early 1990s, China has increased its global outreach and participation in international organisations. In recent years, China has adopted a more assertive foreign policy. This has resulted in tensions with many of its neighbours. China has also been responsible for considerable investment throughout the 'developing world'.

Case Studies which can be covered using China

• A country which is over-populated

• A country with a low rate of population growth (or population decline)

• A densely populated country or area (at any scale from local to regional)

• An urban area or urban areas

• An earthquake

• The opportunities presented by a river or rivers, the associated hazards and their management

• An industrial zone or factory

• Energy supply in a country or area

• An area where economic development is taking place and causing the environment to be at risk