Where is China located?

China is located in Southeast Asia, along the Pacific Ocean. It is the world's third-largest country, trailing only Russia and Canada in square mileage, according to TravelChinaGuide.com. In total, China spans almost 4 million square miles and has a coastline of slightly more than 11,000 miles.

Because of its great size, China includes many different types of habitats and geographic features. Mountainous areas are found in the western portions of the country, while fertile plains and river valleys are common in the east. In addition to the mainland, China claims several offshore islands as part of its territory, some of which are disputed in the international community.