The People's Republic of China is the world's fourth largest country (by total area), and one of only five remaining Communist states in the world. It has a population of 1.35 billion.

The most densely populated provinces are in the east: Jiangsu (767 persons per square kilometer), Shandong (611 persons per square kilometer), Guangdong (580 persons per square kilometer), and Henan (568 persons per square kilometer). Shanghai was the most densely populated municipality at 3,631 persons per square kilometer. The least densely populated areas are in the west, with the Tibet Autonomous Region having the lowest density at only 2 persons per square kilometer. Taiwan, Penghu, Quemoy and Matsu Islands which is entirely under the administration of the Republic of China (ROC), but is claimed by the People's Republic of China (PRC), is excluded from this list.