Difference between revisions of "Qinghai" - New World Encyclopedia
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| − | '''{{Audio|zh-Qinghai.ogg|Qinghai}}''' is a [[provinces of China|province]] of the [[People's Republic of China]] | + | '''{{Audio|zh-Qinghai.ogg|Qinghai}}''' is a [[provinces of China|province]] of the [[People's Republic of China]] located in the northwestern portion of the country. It is named after the enormous [[Qinghai Lake]], which is located in its provincial territory. The province borders [[Gansu]] to the northeast, [[Xinjiang|Xinjiang Autonomous Region]] to the northwest, [[Sichuan]] to the southeast, and [[Tibet Autonomous Region]] to the southwest. |
== History == | == History == | ||
| Line 57: | Line 57: | ||
== Geography == | == Geography == | ||
| − | + | Qinghai is located on the northeastern part of the [[Tibetan Plateau]]. It is naturally divided into two parts by [[Riyue Mountain]], with a pastoral area lying to the west and an agricultural area lying to the east. The [[Yellow River]] originates in the middle of the province, while both the [[Yangtze River|Yangtze]] and the [[Mekong River]] also have their sources in the southern part. | |
| − | Qinghai is located on the northeastern part of the [[Tibetan Plateau]]. The [[Yellow River]] originates in the middle of the province, while both the [[Yangtze River|Yangtze]] and the [[Mekong River]] also have their sources in the southern part. | ||
The province is also home to [[Qinghai Lake]] (from which it gains its name), which is the largest lake in the province, as well as the largest lake in the entire [[People's Republic of China]]. | The province is also home to [[Qinghai Lake]] (from which it gains its name), which is the largest lake in the province, as well as the largest lake in the entire [[People's Republic of China]]. | ||
| Line 64: | Line 63: | ||
The average elevation of Qinghai is about 3,000 metres above sea level. Mountain ranges include the [[Tangula Mountains]] and the [[Kunlun Mountains]]. | The average elevation of Qinghai is about 3,000 metres above sea level. Mountain ranges include the [[Tangula Mountains]] and the [[Kunlun Mountains]]. | ||
| − | Qinghai is located more than 1,500 km from the eastern coast of China, and has very little rainfall with plenty of sunshine. Its average temperature is approximately -5 to 8[[Celsius|°C]], with January temperatures ranging from -18.2 to -7°C and July temperatures ranging from 5 to 21°C. It is also prone to heavy winds as well as sandstorms from February to April. | + | Qinghai is located more than 1,500 km from the eastern coast of China, and has very little rainfall with plenty of sunshine. Its average temperature is approximately -5 to 8[[Celsius|°C]], with January temperatures ranging from -18.2 to -7°C and July temperatures ranging from 5 to 21°C. It is also prone to heavy winds as well as sandstorms from February to April. The province has a long and not overly cold winter with a short and cool summer. |
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | Major cities: | ||
| + | |||
| + | * [[Xining]] | ||
| + | * [[Huangyuan]] | ||
| + | * [[Haiyan]] | ||
| + | * [[Ping'an]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | Major rivers and lakes: | ||
| + | |||
| + | * [[Yellow River]] | ||
| + | * [[Yangtze River]] | ||
| + | * [[Mekong River]] | ||
| + | * [[Qaidam River]] | ||
| + | * [[Jinsha River]] | ||
| + | * [[Tongjian River]] | ||
| + | * [[Qinghai Lake]] | ||
| + | * [[Gyaring Lake]] | ||
| + | * [[Gas Lake]] | ||
| + | * [[Har Lake]] | ||
| + | * [[Suhai Lake]] | ||
| + | * [[Ngoring Lake]] | ||
== Administrative divisions == | == Administrative divisions == | ||
| − | + | [[Image:TanggulaMountain.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Tangula Mountain]] ]] | |
Qinghai is administratively divided into 8 [[Political divisions of China#Prefecture-level|prefecture-level divisions]], including one [[prefecture-level city]], one [[prefecture of China|prefecture]], and six [[autonomous prefecture]]s: | Qinghai is administratively divided into 8 [[Political divisions of China#Prefecture-level|prefecture-level divisions]], including one [[prefecture-level city]], one [[prefecture of China|prefecture]], and six [[autonomous prefecture]]s: | ||
| Line 82: | Line 104: | ||
== Economy == | == Economy == | ||
| − | Qinghai has a very simple, largely agricultural economy. Some of its important crops include spring [[wheat]], highland [[barley]], [[beans]], [[potatoes]] and [[rapeseed]]. The province is also an important livestock breeding center, with a variety of | + | Qinghai has a very simple, largely agricultural economy. Some of its important crops include spring [[wheat]], highland [[barley]], [[beans]], [[potatoes]] and [[rapeseed]]. The province is also an important livestock breeding center, with a variety of livestock including [[sheep]], [[yaks]], pian niu (a crossbreed of bulls and yaks) and [[horses]]. With such an abundance of livestock, Qinghai also produces large quantities of [[sheep]] wool, meat, [[leather]] and sausage casings for other parts of the country. In addition to all of this, the province is an important producer of medicinal materials such as caterpillar fungus, antlers, musk and rhubarb. |
| + | |||
| + | Qinghai also has a sizable amount of mineral resources. A total of 125 minerals have been found in the province, and of these, 50 of them are among the top ten in terms of reserves in the entire country. Another 11, including [[potassium]] [[chloride]] and [[magnesium]] [[salts]] have the largest deposits of their kinds in all of China. The province is rich in [[lead]], [[zinc]], [[copper]], [[chromium]], [[cobalt]], [[nickel]], [[iron]], [[mirabilite]], [[gypsum]], [[potassium]], [[boron]] and [[coal]]. | ||
| + | The abundance of resources in the [[Qilian Mountains]] has led it to be called the "treasure mountains", while the sizable resource base in the [[Qaidam Basin]] has earned it the name "treasure basin". | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Qaidam Basin]] provides a significant energy resource for the [[People's Republic of China]], as it is abundant in [[natural gas]] and [[oil]], with a total of 16 oilfields and six gas fields. The total oil reserve in the province is roughly 1.244 billion tons, of which 200 million tons has been explored. Along with this, the province has 178 [[hydropower]] stations with a total installed generation capacity of 21.66 million kw, an exploitable capacity of 18 million kw, and a generation rate of 77 billion kwh annually. The province plans to build seven more medium-sized [[hydropower]] stations, which, with a total installed generation capacity of 11 million kw, will produce 36.8 billion additional kwh each year. The construction cost of each power station in Qinghai is 20-40 percent lower than that of the national average, which makes it especially attractive for investment from the central government. Due to its geographical makeup, the province is also rich in [[solar]], [[wind]] and [[geothermal]] energy. All of these various energy resources make Qinghai a strategically important province for the [[People's Republic of China|PRC]]. | ||
Its heavy industry includes [[iron]] and [[steel]] production, both of which are located near the provincial capital city of [[Xining]]. [[Oil]] and [[natural gas]] from the [[Chaidamu Basin]] has also been an important contributor to the economy. | Its heavy industry includes [[iron]] and [[steel]] production, both of which are located near the provincial capital city of [[Xining]]. [[Oil]] and [[natural gas]] from the [[Chaidamu Basin]] has also been an important contributor to the economy. | ||
| − | Qinghai's economy is amongst the smallest in all of [[People's Republic of China|China]]. Its nominal GDP for [[2004]] was just 46.57 billion RMB (5.78 billion USD) and contributed a little over 0.3% to the entire country's economy. Per capita GDP was 7310 RMB (882 USD). | + | Despite the strong presence of natural and energy resources, Qinghai's economy is amongst the smallest in all of [[People's Republic of China|China]]. Its nominal GDP for [[2004]] was just 46.57 billion RMB (5.78 billion USD) and contributed a little over 0.3% to the entire country's economy. Per capita GDP was 7310 RMB (882 USD). |
== Demographics == | == Demographics == | ||
The population of Qinghai is approximately 5.2 million, among which [[Han Chinese]] account for 54.5%. Other minority groups include the [[Tibetan people|Tibetans]] who make up roughly 20.87%, the [[Monguor|Tu]], the [[Hui people|Hui]], the [[Salar]], and the [[Mongol]]s. | The population of Qinghai is approximately 5.2 million, among which [[Han Chinese]] account for 54.5%. Other minority groups include the [[Tibetan people|Tibetans]] who make up roughly 20.87%, the [[Monguor|Tu]], the [[Hui people|Hui]], the [[Salar]], and the [[Mongol]]s. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Education == | ||
| + | |||
| + | As one might guess from its poor economic standing, Qinghai's education system is fairly underdeveloped. According to statistics taken in [[2000]], there were only 8 institutions of higher education in the entire province, with 13,307 students enrolled and 2,107 teachers. The province also had 15 specialized secondary schools with 13,406 students and 1,363 teachers, 448 secondary schools with 224,660 students and 16,645 teachers, and 3,429 primary schools with 504,800 students and 27,706 teachers. The school-age child enrollment rate was 94.20%, and the number of college students per 10,000 persons was 25.69. | ||
== Culture == | == Culture == | ||
| Line 98: | Line 129: | ||
Qinghai's relative lack of disturbance throughout history has led to some truly breathtaking natural sights, including snow-covered mountains, icy peaks, deserts, vast pastures and sparkling lakes. The beautiful landscape is also home to flocks of rare birds and a variety of different animals, which makes for a unique and colorful viewing experience for potential tourists. | Qinghai's relative lack of disturbance throughout history has led to some truly breathtaking natural sights, including snow-covered mountains, icy peaks, deserts, vast pastures and sparkling lakes. The beautiful landscape is also home to flocks of rare birds and a variety of different animals, which makes for a unique and colorful viewing experience for potential tourists. | ||
| − | In addition to scenery and wildlife, many tourist attractions center on [[Xining]], the provincial capital city of Qinghai. The city is home to numerous interesting sites, including the | + | In addition to scenery and wildlife, many tourist attractions center on [[Xining]], the provincial capital city of Qinghai. The city is home to numerous interesting sites, including the Great Mosque of [[Xining]], and the North Mountain Temple. |
Outside of [[Xining]], there are two major tourist sites. The first is the [[Kumbum Monastery]], which is one of the most important [[Yellow Hat Sect]] monasteries, and lies roughly 30 km outside of [[Xining]]. It also features the [[Hall of Yak Butter Sculptures]]. The second major site outside of [[Xining]] is [[Qinghai Lake]]. The lake is the largest saltwater lake in China, and is also located on the "Roof of the World," the Qinghai-Tibet plateau at an elevation of almost 3,600 m. The surrounding area is made up of rolling [[grassland]]s and populated by ethnic [[Tibetans]]. Most pre-arranged tours to this site stop at Bird Island, and another major event is the international bicycle race that takes place annually from [[Xining]] to [[Qinghai Lake]]. | Outside of [[Xining]], there are two major tourist sites. The first is the [[Kumbum Monastery]], which is one of the most important [[Yellow Hat Sect]] monasteries, and lies roughly 30 km outside of [[Xining]]. It also features the [[Hall of Yak Butter Sculptures]]. The second major site outside of [[Xining]] is [[Qinghai Lake]]. The lake is the largest saltwater lake in China, and is also located on the "Roof of the World," the Qinghai-Tibet plateau at an elevation of almost 3,600 m. The surrounding area is made up of rolling [[grassland]]s and populated by ethnic [[Tibetans]]. Most pre-arranged tours to this site stop at Bird Island, and another major event is the international bicycle race that takes place annually from [[Xining]] to [[Qinghai Lake]]. | ||
| Line 115: | Line 146: | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
{{commons|Qinghai}} | {{commons|Qinghai}} | ||
| + | * [http://www.qh.gov.cn/ Qinghai Government Website (in Mandarin)] Retrieved November 15, 2007. | ||
* [http://www.muztagh.com/images/map/map-of-qinghai-large.jpg Large map of Qinghai] Retrieved November 12, 2007. | * [http://www.muztagh.com/images/map/map-of-qinghai-large.jpg Large map of Qinghai] Retrieved November 12, 2007. | ||
* [http://www.china.org.cn/english/features/43598.htm Overview of Qinghai] Retrieved November 12, 2007. | * [http://www.china.org.cn/english/features/43598.htm Overview of Qinghai] Retrieved November 12, 2007. | ||
Revision as of 06:56, 16 November 2007
| མཚོ་སྔོན་ 青海省 Qīnghǎi Shěng | |
| Abbreviations: 青 (Pinyin: Qīng) | |
| |
| Origin of name | From Mongolian Köke Nayur: Köke - blue Naγur - Lake "blue lake" (Lake Qinghai) In Chinese: 青 qīng - green/blue 海 hǎi - sea "green sea" |
| Administration type | Province |
| Capital (and largest city) |
Xining |
| CPC Ctte Secretary | Qiang Wei |
| Governor | Song Xiuyan |
| Area | 721,000 km² (4th) |
| Population (2004) - Density |
5,390,000 (30th) 7.48/km² (30th) |
| GDP (2005) - per capita |
CNY 54.32 billion (30th) CNY 10,386 (20th) |
| HDI (2005) | 0.684 (medium) (27th) |
| Major nationalities | Han - 54% Tibetan - 23% Hui - 16% Tu - 4% Salar - 1.8% Mongol - 1.8% |
| Prefecture-level | 8 divisions |
| County-level | 43 divisions |
| Township-level† | 429 divisions |
| ISO 3166-2 | CN-63 |
| Official website http://www.qh.gov.cn/ (Simplified Chinese) | |
| Source for population and GDP data: 《中国统计年鉴—2005》 China Statistical Yearbook 2005 Source for nationalities data:ISBN 7503747382 《2000年人口普查中国民族人口资料》 Tabulation on nationalities of 2000 population census of China † As at December 31, 2004
ISBN 7105054255 | |
Qinghai ▶ is a province of the People's Republic of China located in the northwestern portion of the country. It is named after the enormous Qinghai Lake, which is located in its provincial territory. The province borders Gansu to the northeast, Xinjiang Autonomous Region to the northwest, Sichuan to the southeast, and Tibet Autonomous Region to the southwest.
History
Qinghai is a relatively recent province of China. The area has historically been an ethnic melting pot, mixing Han Chinese, Mongolian, Tibetan, and Turkic influences into an interesting hybrid culture.
It served as a battleground during the Tang Dynasty and the subsequent Chinese dynasties who fought against successive Tibetan dynasties throughout Chinese history.[1]
In 1928, it officially became a province of the Republic of China. During the warlord period of the early ROC when control had not been established over all areas of China, the region became the primary base for the warlord Ma Bufang. After the subsequent Second Sino-Japanese War (from 1937 to 1945) and the Chinese Civil War (from 1945 to 1949), Qinghai was again made into a province under the dominion of the People's Republic of China in 1949.
Geography
Qinghai is located on the northeastern part of the Tibetan Plateau. It is naturally divided into two parts by Riyue Mountain, with a pastoral area lying to the west and an agricultural area lying to the east. The Yellow River originates in the middle of the province, while both the Yangtze and the Mekong River also have their sources in the southern part.
The province is also home to Qinghai Lake (from which it gains its name), which is the largest lake in the province, as well as the largest lake in the entire People's Republic of China.
The average elevation of Qinghai is about 3,000 metres above sea level. Mountain ranges include the Tangula Mountains and the Kunlun Mountains.
Qinghai is located more than 1,500 km from the eastern coast of China, and has very little rainfall with plenty of sunshine. Its average temperature is approximately -5 to 8°C, with January temperatures ranging from -18.2 to -7°C and July temperatures ranging from 5 to 21°C. It is also prone to heavy winds as well as sandstorms from February to April. The province has a long and not overly cold winter with a short and cool summer.
Major cities:
- Xining
- Huangyuan
- Haiyan
- Ping'an
Major rivers and lakes:
- Yellow River
- Yangtze River
- Mekong River
- Qaidam River
- Jinsha River
- Tongjian River
- Qinghai Lake
- Gyaring Lake
- Gas Lake
- Har Lake
- Suhai Lake
- Ngoring Lake
Administrative divisions
Qinghai is administratively divided into 8 prefecture-level divisions, including one prefecture-level city, one prefecture, and six autonomous prefectures:
- Xining City (西宁市 Xīníng Shì)
- Haidong Prefecture (海东地区 Hǎidōng Dìqū)
- Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (海北藏族自治州 Hǎiběi Zàngzú Zìzhìzhōu)
- Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (海南藏族自治州 Hǎinán Zàngzú Zìzhìzhōu)
- Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (黄南藏族自治州 Huángnán Zàngzú Zìzhìzhōu)
- Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (果洛藏族自治州 Guǒluò Zàngzú Zìzhìzhōu
- Gyêgu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (玉树藏族自治州 Yùshù Zàngzú Zìzhìzhōu)
- Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (海西蒙古族藏族自治州 Hǎixī Měnggǔzú Zàngzú Zìzhìzhōu)
The eight prefecture-level divisions of Qinghai are subdivided into 43 county-level divisions, including 4 districts, 2 county-level cities, 30 counties, and 7 autonomous counties. These county-level divisions are then further divided into 429 township-level divisions, resulting in 115 towns, 253 townships, 30 ethnic township, and 31 subdistricts.
Economy
Qinghai has a very simple, largely agricultural economy. Some of its important crops include spring wheat, highland barley, beans, potatoes and rapeseed. The province is also an important livestock breeding center, with a variety of livestock including sheep, yaks, pian niu (a crossbreed of bulls and yaks) and horses. With such an abundance of livestock, Qinghai also produces large quantities of sheep wool, meat, leather and sausage casings for other parts of the country. In addition to all of this, the province is an important producer of medicinal materials such as caterpillar fungus, antlers, musk and rhubarb.
Qinghai also has a sizable amount of mineral resources. A total of 125 minerals have been found in the province, and of these, 50 of them are among the top ten in terms of reserves in the entire country. Another 11, including potassium chloride and magnesium salts have the largest deposits of their kinds in all of China. The province is rich in lead, zinc, copper, chromium, cobalt, nickel, iron, mirabilite, gypsum, potassium, boron and coal. The abundance of resources in the Qilian Mountains has led it to be called the "treasure mountains", while the sizable resource base in the Qaidam Basin has earned it the name "treasure basin".
Qaidam Basin provides a significant energy resource for the People's Republic of China, as it is abundant in natural gas and oil, with a total of 16 oilfields and six gas fields. The total oil reserve in the province is roughly 1.244 billion tons, of which 200 million tons has been explored. Along with this, the province has 178 hydropower stations with a total installed generation capacity of 21.66 million kw, an exploitable capacity of 18 million kw, and a generation rate of 77 billion kwh annually. The province plans to build seven more medium-sized hydropower stations, which, with a total installed generation capacity of 11 million kw, will produce 36.8 billion additional kwh each year. The construction cost of each power station in Qinghai is 20-40 percent lower than that of the national average, which makes it especially attractive for investment from the central government. Due to its geographical makeup, the province is also rich in solar, wind and geothermal energy. All of these various energy resources make Qinghai a strategically important province for the PRC.
Its heavy industry includes iron and steel production, both of which are located near the provincial capital city of Xining. Oil and natural gas from the Chaidamu Basin has also been an important contributor to the economy.
Despite the strong presence of natural and energy resources, Qinghai's economy is amongst the smallest in all of China. Its nominal GDP for 2004 was just 46.57 billion RMB (5.78 billion USD) and contributed a little over 0.3% to the entire country's economy. Per capita GDP was 7310 RMB (882 USD).
Demographics
The population of Qinghai is approximately 5.2 million, among which Han Chinese account for 54.5%. Other minority groups include the Tibetans who make up roughly 20.87%, the Tu, the Hui, the Salar, and the Mongols.
Education
As one might guess from its poor economic standing, Qinghai's education system is fairly underdeveloped. According to statistics taken in 2000, there were only 8 institutions of higher education in the entire province, with 13,307 students enrolled and 2,107 teachers. The province also had 15 specialized secondary schools with 13,406 students and 1,363 teachers, 448 secondary schools with 224,660 students and 16,645 teachers, and 3,429 primary schools with 504,800 students and 27,706 teachers. The school-age child enrollment rate was 94.20%, and the number of college students per 10,000 persons was 25.69.
Culture
Qinghai's culture is heavily influenced by China and Tibet, given the close proximities as well as shared history with both places. Qinghai was also vital to such European eras as the Reformation, and the Renaissance as numerous Chinese inventions like the compass and the printing press all flowed through the Silk Road which was a vital lifeline for the local economy.
Tourism
Qinghai's relative lack of disturbance throughout history has led to some truly breathtaking natural sights, including snow-covered mountains, icy peaks, deserts, vast pastures and sparkling lakes. The beautiful landscape is also home to flocks of rare birds and a variety of different animals, which makes for a unique and colorful viewing experience for potential tourists.
In addition to scenery and wildlife, many tourist attractions center on Xining, the provincial capital city of Qinghai. The city is home to numerous interesting sites, including the Great Mosque of Xining, and the North Mountain Temple.
Outside of Xining, there are two major tourist sites. The first is the Kumbum Monastery, which is one of the most important Yellow Hat Sect monasteries, and lies roughly 30 km outside of Xining. It also features the Hall of Yak Butter Sculptures. The second major site outside of Xining is Qinghai Lake. The lake is the largest saltwater lake in China, and is also located on the "Roof of the World," the Qinghai-Tibet plateau at an elevation of almost 3,600 m. The surrounding area is made up of rolling grasslands and populated by ethnic Tibetans. Most pre-arranged tours to this site stop at Bird Island, and another major event is the international bicycle race that takes place annually from Xining to Qinghai Lake.
Transportation
The Lanqing Railway, running between Lanzhou, Gansu and Xining, the province's capital, was completed in 1959 and is the major transportation route in and out of the province. A continuation of the line, the Qinghai-Tibet Railway through Golmud, has become one of the most ambitious projects in PRC history. It was completed in October 2005 and now links Tibet with the rest of China through Qinghai.
In addition to rail transit, a total of six national highways run through the province.
Xining Caojiabu Airport is the largest airport in the province, and provides service to Beijing, Lanzhou, Golmud and Delingha.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
External links
- Qinghai Government Website (in Mandarin) Retrieved November 15, 2007.
- Large map of Qinghai Retrieved November 12, 2007.
- Overview of Qinghai Retrieved November 12, 2007.
- People's Daily Retrieved November 12, 2007.
- UNESCAP Retrieved November 12, 2007.
- Qinghai travel guide Retrieved November 12, 2007.
