CHINESE EMPIRE, a vast territory M eastern Asia, comprehending five great divisions, viz.: 1. Mantchuria (q.v.); 2. Mongolia (q.v.); 3. Turkestan (q.v.); 4. Thibet (q.v.); 5. China proper or the eighteen provinces (Shih-pii-sang), including the two large islands of Formosa and Hainan—the former being reckoned in the province of Fuh-keen, and the latter as a department of Kwang-tung.
China Proper occupies the eastern slope of the table-lands of central Asia. In form it approaches to a square, and covers a surface eighteen times as large as Great Britain. It is inhabited by more than 360 millions of the human race, living under the same govern ment, ruled by the same laws, speaking the same language, studying the same literature, possessing a greater homogeneity, a history extending over a longer period, and a more enduring national existence than any other people, whether of ancient or modern times; indeed, when we consider its high antiquity, its peculiar civilization, its elaborate admin istrative machinery, its wondrous language, its philosophy and classic literature, its manufacturing industry and natural productions, giving rise to such a gigantic com merce with our own land, China is perhaps the most remarkable country in the world, and is worth a closer and more serious study than has yet been generally accorded to it. China proper is included between 18' and 40° n. lat. (which takes in the island of Hainan), and 98° to 124° e. longitude. Its coast-line exceeds 2,500 m. and the land frontier 4,400 miles. A line running direct n. and s. would give a length of 1474 m. ; and another at right angles to this, 1355 m.; but one drawn diagonally from its north eastern extremity through Yunnan would measure 1669 miles. The area of China proper is usually given as 1,297,999 sq.m.; but Dr. Williams considers that the entire dimensions of the 18 provinces, as the Chinese define them, cannot be much under 2,000,000 sq. miles. All these measurements, however, must be taken as mere approxi mations.
Physical Features.—China has a general slope from the mountains of Thibet to the shores of the Pacific. The two principal mountain-chains divide it into three longi
tudinal basins, drained by those great rivers for which China is famous. Within its provinces are found alluvial plains, fertile river-valleys, large populous towns, as well as thinly inhabited, hilly, and nountainous regions. 'lo describe its suface more particu larly, it may be viewed under its.natural divisions of mountainous country, hilly country, and the great plain. The first comprehends more than half the region between the meridian nr and Thibet. East of this meridian, and to the s. of the Yang-tse-kiang river, is the hilly country, which includes the provinces of Full-keen, Keang-se, Kwang tung, and a portion of Hu-Tian and Hu-pih; while to the n.e. stretches the great plain. This latter extends from the great wall to 30° n. lat. ; a line drawn from King-chow in Hu-pili to IIwae-king on the Yellow river, may be considered its western limit; and the sea forms its boundary on the east. This vast and generally fertile tract has an area of 210,000 sq. miles, and supports a population of 177 millions.
From the mountains of Thibet two grand ranges stretch across China, having a general direction from s.w. to n.e. The more northerly of these—the Thsin-liug or Blue moun tains—are included between the parallels of 31' and 34°. The southern or Nan-ling chain is a spur of the Himalayas. Commencing in Yun-nan, it bounds Kwang-se, Kwang tung, and Fuh-keen on the n., and passing through the province of Che-keang—where some of its peaks reach the height of 12,000 ft.—enter s the sea at Ning-po ; thus forming a continuous barrier—penetrated only by a few steep passes, of which the Mei-kwan, or Mei Pass, is the best known—that separates the coast-land of south-eastern China from the rest of the country. This great chain throws off numerous spurs to the s. and e., which, dipping into the sea, rise above it as a belt of rugged islands along the southern half of the Chinese sea-board. Of this belt, the Chusan archipelago is the most northerly portion.