Ningxia China Information

Ningxia China, formally titled Ningxia Huizu Zizhiqu (Ningxia Huizu Autonomous Region), is the nation’s 27th largest province, totaling almost 25,600 square miles (more accurately 66,000 sq km). Its population of 5,880,000 people places 29th among provincial and regional divisions and the population density ranks 25th with 89.1 p/sq km. The capital and largest city, Yinchuan, is located in the north along side the Yellow River (Huang He) and near a few offshoots of the river that diverge from the Yellow River south of the capital then reenter just north of Yinchuan.

Ningxia China Geography

Ningxia province is one of the smallest in China. It is found just east of the end of the Tibetan Plateau. There are three locations in the south with high elevation surrounded by mid-range elevation while the province is lower in the north. Most of the province is dry which has caused significant irrigation routes to be directed throughout the province from the Yellow River. In all, the province borders Sha’anxi, Gansu,, and Inner Mongolia. A portion of the Tengger Desert is found here.

Ningxia China Industry

Ningxia province is second to Tibet in its contribution the nation’s GDP. Stock raising and agriculture compose the majority of the region’s industry. Rare medicinal plants and precious stones are found in the area of the Yellow River within the province known as The Great Bend.

Ningxia China History

Ningxia province was incorporated into greater China under the Qin Dynasty’s (221 BC – 206 BC) unified empire. Later, the area fell to the Mongols under Genghis Khan in the 13th century. After the Mongols left, the Muslim population grew with Turkish speaking migrants from the west. Ningxia was made part of Gansu in 1914. It became a province of its own in 1958 and earned the status of an autonomous region in 1958. Ningxia was given part of Inner Mongolia in 1969 only for it to be returned in 1979, after Mao’s death. The culture has remained a diverse mixture of the Muslim Western immigrants, the Western Xia State, and its indigenous ethnic groups, Hui being the most prevalent.

Ningxia China Demographics

Ningxia China is 79% Han. Hui, who make up 20%, account for one sixth of the nation’s total population of this minority. Manchu compose 0.4%. Over 20 ethnic minorities have been reported to reside within the region.

Browse a list of all Chinese Provinces:
China Provinces