China" in Chinese: 中国• National Language: Mandarin Chinese• National Day: October 1st• National Flag: Red flag with five yellow stars• National Anthem: March of the Volunteers• Capital: Beijing• Largest City: Shanghai• Time Zone: UTC (GMT) +8h

• China's flag is red with five golden-yellow stars.

• Size: China covers about 9,596,960 square kilometers. China is the fourth largest country in the world (after Russia, Canada, and the USA).

• Population: China has the largest population of any country in the world. The population of China is about 1,3BILLION .

• The people of China’s beliefs ,way of living and faith is based on the sayings and teachings of a Government Official who lived 3,000 years ago called Confucius.

• He talked about the importance of the way to live ones life, kindness and the importance of education and learning

• Major Rivers: The major rivers in China are the Yangtse River, the Yellow River, and the Pearl River.

• Mountain Ranges: The highest mountain range in the world, the Himalayas, borders China. Other major mountain ranges in China are the Ch'ang-pai Mountains, theTsinling Mountains, and the Nan range.

• Highest Point: The highest point in China is Mount Everest (8,850 m tall), in the Himalayas.

• Lowest Point: The lowest point in China is Turpan Pendi (the Turpan Depression), 154 meters (505 feet) below sea level. It is located in northwestern China.

Great Wall of China

The longest man-made structure on the planet.It can be seen from space.

Forbidden City, Beijing

The best preserved imperial palace in China and the largest ancient palatial structure in the world.

Yangtze River

• The longest river in Asia, flowing from the Tibetan Highlands right across China into the East Chinese Sea.

The Terracotta ArmyHundreds of unique 2000-year-old life-size clay warriors made to guard the founder of the Chinese Empire in the afterlife.

Chinese New Year

• Dates: January 22 (Chinese New Year's Eve) to February 6 (Lantern Festival)

• Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important traditional festival and a public holiday in China. The Chinese New Year 2012 starts on January 22 (Chinese New Year' Eve). It is the year of Dragon. The festival falls on the first day of the first Chinese month, and ends with Lantern Festival which is on the 15th day

New Year

• Time to forget all grudges • To wish peace and happiness for everyone• Houses are decorated with Red and Gold • Red for Joy and Good Luck • Gold for Wealth and Happiness • Flowers Peony which represents Richness in all

areas and Good Luck and Sunflowers which are given with a Special Message …

• On the days immediately before the New Year celebration, Chinese families give their home a thorough cleaning. There is a Cantonese saying "Wash away the dirt on ninyabaat" (年廿八，洗邋遢 ),

• It is believed the cleaning sweeps away the bad luck of the preceding year and makes their homes ready for good luck. Brooms and dust pans are put away on the first day so that the newly arrived good luck cannot be swept away.

• Chinese New Year is a time or families to be together. A reunion dinner is held on New Year's Eve

• From the first day of the New Year to the 15th day, Chinese people go to visit friends and relatives.

• New year greetings are given to each other, and lucky money is given to children with the hope that it will bring them good luck in RED envelopes.

• Some people give their homes, doors and window-frames a new coat of red paint; decorators and paper-hangers do a year-end rush of business prior to Chinese New Year[

• Homes are often decorated with paper cutouts of Chinese auspicious phrases and couplets.

• Purchasing new clothing, shoes, and receiving a hair-cut also symbolize a fresh start.

• Every Year in China is dedicated one of the 12 animals in their Zodiac .

• 2O12 IS THE YEAR OF THEDRAGON

The Dragon is the most powerful of the Chinese Zodiac Signs

The Signs of the Chinese Zodiac are;

Snake 2001Horse 2002Goat 2003Monkey 2004Rooster 2005Dog 2006Pig 2007Rat 2008Ox 2009Tiger 2010Rabbit 2011

Special Message for St Catherine’s at the start of the Year of the DRAGON

• You can Do It • Wish It• Dream It• Do It

• Reach your Target • With Kindness and Care for Everyone