China
The world's oldest civilisation is China. Many of the greatest structures, philosophies, poets, and inventions known in the world can be traced back to this ancient and historic country. Also known for having the most advanced societies in the world, as well as having a tradition that was adopted by various other neighbouring countries like Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.
Understanding the great power that is the China today, one has to go back and understand the history of this civilisation. Ancient China had one of the earliest recorded human settlements, and the precursor of one of the modern writing systems. The emerging feudal states of each dynasty paved the way to a flourishing civilisation that rivalled in sophistication in any other European society at the time.
Chinese history experienced a golden age during the T'ang dynasty, with a flourishing of sculpture, poetry, and painting. Prior to this era, the Great Wall of China, one of the most monumental and well known structures in the world, was erected due to the desire of China to protect itself from invasion from the outside world.
Confucianism was Imperial China's official philosophy, and the mastery of its texts was crucial for entry into the bureaucracy. Chinese literature, with the noteworthy works of Confucius and Lao Tze, and the Four Classical Novels during the Tang Dynasty, are some of the greatest contributions of the country to the world.
Calligraphy, musical instruments, faith systems, and technological accomplishments such as paper making, type printing, and many others are just to name a few of the vast wealth that the country added to the history and developments of man throughout history. Today, China is a technology-oriented and industrialized country, and an influential one, not just across east Asia, but throughout the world.
