The Sun.
London, England, 1840-11-28 00:00:00

GEOGRAPHY.
China is the ancient residence of a powerful ind civilized
kttion, which ascende, by a probable tradition, above forty cen-
uries.—GlseoN.
Our English name China is derived from the ancient
Chinese name Ching-kwo, or Middle Nation. This coun-
try wasknown to the Romans as Binge, and traces of this
name are still to be found amongst the Persians and other
nations of Central Asia, who call this country Tchin and
Chane Hai. A grandson of Zengis Khan conquered the
north of China, and during his dominion and that of his
livceessor it was called Cathay, by which name it was
luade known to Europe during the middle ages by Mnrco
polo, Nicolo Conti, Rubriquis, and Sir John Mandeville,
ho visited China in the year 1340.
The Chinese Empire extends from the Russian do-
11teions upon the mountains of Siberia to the territory of
Cochin China, and from the valleys of Thibet to the shores
0f the Pacific, embracing an extent of more than 4,000,000
itillare. geographical miles, and in this vast region, from
:e Polley of its Tartar conquerors, only four outlets of co-
: are allowed with the rest of the world—Mait mat-
;.."in. en the north ; Cha.po, a small town upon the coast, ex-
tt'ilvely for the Japan commerce; Amoy, to which the
P4niarda possess the exclusive right to trade ; and Canton
1111 the south.
ehle,,hielt Proper, or the country of the Chinese race, in-
to.te4 about one-third .of this extent. The remaining
tory is inhabited by Mongols, Mantchoo Tartars,
/and
of ea s. It is situated between the 20th and 41st degrees
rborth latitude, and 95th and 123 d degrees of cast lon-
ettl`,l,e• On the east and south it is bounded by the Paci-
Zelis'oewean, and by those great branches of it called the
Sea and the Sea of China, on the west by the
qoant.sive tracts of country denominated Thibct, Sifan,
tehokonor, and on the north by Mongolia and Man-
4boeia. Its superficial extent is 1,300,000 square miles, or
1,43,' 4 twelve times the dirr.ensions of England. Of this
from surface the greater part is a large table land, inclining
%ti !he summit level of Thibet to the sea, with here
tioq tnere terraces, wlich break the regular inclina-
kw There is some very high ground in Kansuh Chan-si
N., Chan-tong ; and the south the mountains of Nan_
X; and Mel-ling run '.hrough the provinces of Yun-nan,
of Kwan-si, and Fuh-keen and upon the hollows
• oev e taiile lands large lakes are formed, and very slightly
th,Zted Higidards divide the great streams that traverse
Cart of the empire.
'rho
Thi great wall separates Mongolia from China.
the s :71111 is About 1,500 miles in length, 30 feet high in
TheaneYs, 4141 about 20 feet on the high lands and rocks.
fro_ great canal extends in a continuous line for
.500 miles,
• ),14. Nankin to the interior of the country. It is said to
q;t
ghis bee n exteuted under the reign of the grandson of
then Khan. The climate of China varies much. In
isioutlaern provinces the temperature is higher than that
the "gal, while at Pekin the cold is greater than under
►4snle latitude in Europe. Here snow generally pre-
tr4efor three months every winter. On the coast the
dared wings prevail, but arc intercepted and Ten.
thiit Ulanltarrolrre by thq largo islands; And peninsulas
ut.