1. Geography of China

2. Ancient China was ruled by families of emperors from 1027 BCE to 220 CE (nearly 1,200 years) How did the Chinese Empire survive as long as they did?

3. Natural Barriers
China was separated from other peoples by the Himalayan Mountains to the west
China also had the Gobi desert protecting the north
The Pacific Ocean to the east was unprotected, but nobody near had invented ships that were stable enough to sail on oceans
To make sure nobody crossed in the north, China built the Great Wall for safe measure