Jilin China Information

Jilin China is home to some 27,090,000 inhabitants, making it the country’s 21st most populous province. Its population density ranks 18th with 257 p/sq km. The province’s total area places 13th in the nation with over 72,000 square miles, (more accurately 187,400 sq km). The capital of this Manchurian (north eastern) province is Changchun, which is about 70 miles (113 km) west of Jilin city. Jilin province earned its title from its grand forests. Jilin roughly translates as Lucky or Propitious Forest.

Jilin China Geography

Jilin province is in northeast China, a region traditionally referred to as Manchuria, or, Dongbei, which translates literally as east north. The Songhua River is the longest river in the province. It runs westward along the northern border with Heilongjiang for about 75 miles (121 km) before dropping southward through the province. The river passes Jilin city before reaching the artificial Songhua Lake. Jilin province is mostly hills and planes centrally and in the northwest.

The Changbai Mountains run along the southeastern border with North Korea. Changbai peak is within Jilin, just north of the border. The Yalu and Tumen Rivers officially form the border between China and North Korea. The tall and snowy Changbai Mountains are one of three sites in the world with “black earth”. The stark contrast between the white snow and speckled black beneath forms one of the most unique and picturesque landscapes in the world.

Zhangguangcai Mountain is just within the eastern portion of Jilin’s northern border with Heilongjiang. Jilin province also borders Lioaning province and Inner Mongolia (Nei Monggol Zizhiqu). In addition to North Korea, Jilin shares a small border with Russia along the eastern most edge of the province.

Jilin’s monsoon climate and vastly varied elevation make it range from -5°F (-20°C) during the winter and up to 75°F (24°C) during its short summer.

Jilin China Industry

Jilin province is an important economic province in China with one of the nation’s largest grain outputs. Also, First Automobile Works, one of the country’s most important auto manufacturers, is based in Changchun.

Jilin province is an important source in China for timber, producing much of the county’s top grade pine. The region is also known as a producer of three treasured products in China, namely, ginseng, mink, and pilose antler.

Jilin China annually hosts the Ice Lantern Festival where many visitors brave the cold to witness the spectacle. The province also gets a good portion of the nation’s winter sport tourism and has some of China’s best ski resorts.

The province’s economic development, while rapid, is relatively new. Thus it is confronting the affects of uneven development and rapid population growth.

Jilin China History

Jilin province found its way into Chinese Dynastic history much in the same way as most of Manchuria. In 698 AD the Bohai kingdom was established here. Later, the Liao Dynasty (947 AD – 1115 AD), ruled from the nearby area of modern Liao province, ruled the region. After that, the Jurchen Jin Dynasty (1115 AD – 1234 AD) then ruled the region. The Mongol Yuan Dynasty (1279 AD – 1368 AD) later controlled the area. The final Chinese Dynasty, the Manchu Qing Dynasty (1644 AD – 1911 AD), having its ethnicity and nascence based in Manchuria, also ruled over this province. Under the Qing Dynasty the province was protected from Han migration until the 1860s, which marked the beginning of a massive influx of Han Chinese.

Jilin China Demographics

According to UNESCAP Jilin China is home to 44 ethnic groups, the primary group being Han. In order of prominence, Korean, Manchu, Hui, Mongol, and Xibe are also present.

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