Popular conceptions of Chinese history usually follow the lead of Confucian ideology that held that China was the eternal "Middle Kingdom", always existing in its essential essence at the center of the world. Dynasties may rise and fall, but China remains China, a country that has been around for more than two thousand years.

Well, that's wrong. It's what they wanted you to believe. But it's wrong.

Since we're going to be spending most of season 1 in the Chinese Qing empire, it's important to understand how this myth is wrong and learn a more about China. In this episode we'll learn about China's geography, languages, and take a lightning tour of China's early dynastic history.

Maps!

"Core" Chinese Provinces, circa 1800

Skinner's Eight Regions of China. These made up the core centers of economic activity and population density, bisected by "interior hinterlands".

Modern provinces of the People's Republic of China + Taiwan. At it's greatest extent toward the end of the Qianlong era in 1790, the Qing Empire was about 25% larger.