Xinjiang
Xinjiang (新疆 in Pinyin: xin1 jiang1, in Postal Pinyin: Sinkiang, in Wade-Giles: Hsin-chiang, literal meaning: "New Frontier") Uighur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, sometimes known as Chinese Turkestan or Eastern Turkestan (Turkestan also spelt Turkistan). The capital is Urumqi. Xinjiang's area is 1,650,000 km² (637,000 sq.mi) and the population is estimated at about 19 million.
| Province Abbreviation(s): 新 | |
| Capital | Urumqi |
| Area - Total - % water | Ranked 1st 1,650,000 km² xx% |
| Population
- Total (2001) - Density | Ranked 24th
19,250,000 11.6/km² |
| Administration Type | Autonomous Region |
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| Table of contents |
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2 Geography 3 Economy 4 Demographics 5 Culture 6 Tourism 7 Miscellaneous topics |
Xinjiang has been loosely controlled by China since Han Dynasty. However, because it is far from eastern China, it has been mostly autonomous. Xinjiang was traversed by the Silk Road. It has also been ruled by the Mongols, Uighurs, and the pre-Turkic Tocharians.
Xinjiang is the largest political subdivision of China. Xinjiang is divided into two basins by Mount Tianshan. Dzungarian Basin is in the north, and Tarim Basin is in the south.
Xinjiang's lowest point is 155 metres below sea level (lowest point in China as well). Its highest peak is 8611 metres above sea level on the border with Kashmir.
The Karakorum highway (KKH) links Islamabad, Pakistan with Kashgar over the Khunjerab Pass.
Major Cities:
Xinjiang is known for its fruits and produce including grapes and melons. Xinjiang also has large deposits of minerals and oil.
Xinjiang is home to several Muslim Turkic groups including the Uighurs and the Kazakhs. Other minority ethnic groups include Hui Chinese, the Kirghiz, the Mongols, the Russians, the Xibes, the Tajik, the Uzbek, the Tartar, and the Manchus.
Xinjiang has seen a similar struggle to Tibet's in maintaining its culture. The percentage of ethnic Han Chinese in in Xinjiang has grown from 6 percent in 1949 to 40 percent at present.
The Uighurs trace descent to both the Turkic Uighurs and the pre-Turkic Indoeuropean Tocharian (or, Tokharian), and fair-skin, hair and eyes, as well as other 'Caucasoid' physical traits, are not uncommon among them.
Xinjiang is the home of the Lop Nor testing site for China's nuclear weapons program.
East Turkestan separatists who support "Uighur independence" are active in Xinjiang.History
Geography
The Xinjiang-Kyrgyzstan border is marked by the Tian Shan mountain range. The Torugart Pass (3752 m) is located on this border.Economy
Demographics
Culture
Tourism
Miscellaneous topics
