China is the largest country located wholly within Asia.
China covers about 9.6 million square kilometres, placing it among the world’s largest countries. Unlike Russia, which spans Europe and Asia, China’s territory is entirely in Asia. Its landscape ranges from the Tibetan Plateau and Himalayan mountains to eastern plains, deserts and long coastlines on the Pacific Ocean.
China shares land borders with 14 countries, including Mongolia, Russia, India and Pakistan. Beijing is the capital, and Shanghai is the country’s largest city by urban population and a major global port.
China and the United States are often compared in area rankings because their totals are close, and rankings can vary slightly depending on whether inland waters and disputed areas are counted. China’s place as Asia’s largest wholly Asian country remains the standard geographic distinction.