Among the plains, the lakes and the hills ancient cities are located: the red-bricked Malmo, the port Gothenburg, the medieval Ystad, Helsingor and Helsingborg, and the university town Uppsala which is always full of life. Stockholm, built between Lake Malaren and Baltic Sea, rivals any European capital city. Near to it, there are castles which enchant the travelers, for instance Skokloster Castle or Gripsholm Castle.

This comprehensive volume examines contemporary life and history in Beijing, covering such topics as culture, politics, economics, crime, security, the environment, and more. While it is not China's most populated city, Beijing serves an important role as the political and cultural capital of the country. This volume examines Beijing's long history, contemporary society, and current challenges the city faces as we move further into the 21st century....