Qinghai
(2002 pop. 5.3 million). A remote province in western China, Qinghai (Blue Sea) has a population that includes Han Chinese and Tibetans, as well as Mongols and Kazakh, Hui, Salar, and Tu minorities. The capital Xining (Western Peace) has a population of 1 million. Qinghai is the fourth-largest official province in China, having six autonomous prefectures, thirty counties, and seven autonomous counties spread across 721,000 square kilometers.
Bordering Sichuan (northeast), Tibet (southwest), Xinjiang (northwest), and Gansu (northeast), Qinghai encompasses part of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau averaging over 4,000 meters above sea level, the world's largest and highest plateau. From Qinghai arise three of Asia's major rivers, the Chang (Yangtze), Huanghe, and Mekong. Qinghai Lake (Koko Nor in Mongolian) is China's largest inland lake. Over 105 kilometers long, the turquoise lake is 3,205 meters above sea level. Its brackish waters host Niao Dao (Bird Island) sanctuary, where thousands of waterfowl congregate, including the rare black-necked crane. The Tsaidam (Mongolian for salt marsh) Basin of central Qinghai has an area of 240,926 square kilometers. Part salt marsh, part desert and rich in minerals, coal, and oil, the area is of increasing interest for the exploitation of natural resources. Native fauna include wild yak, Przewalski's horse, blue sheep, wolf, and a wide variety of birds. The saltwater-drinking camel, newly discovered in 2001, also inhabits part of Qinghai.
Qinghai's harsh climate has an average winter temperature of –15° C and an annual rainfall of 25 to 51 centimeters. The east produces spring wheat, highland barley, peas, potatoes, and rapeseed. The vast grasslands of the west are suitable for herding yaks, horses, sheep, and goats. Other products include wool, animal skins, oil, natural gas, common salt, and minerals. Per capita income is small. China's main nuclear facility and waste site are in Haiyan, by Qinghai Lake. Qinghai is known as "China's Siberia" due to the huge population of prisoners sent there from the rest of the nation to work in the prison factories.
Once part of Tibet (Amdo), Qinghai came under Mongol rule during the Yuan dynasty (1279–1368), becoming part of Gansu Province. About 20 kilometers southwest of Xining at Huangcheng is the famous Taer monastery, home of the reformer of Tibetan Buddhism Tsong-kha-pa (fifteenth century). After 1724, the Qing dynasty (1644–1912) continued to rule Qinghai, then called Koko Nor. In 1928, Qinghai became an official province of China, including autonomous districts for Tibetans, Chinese Muslims, and Kazakh and Mongol minorities.
Further Reading
Haw, Stephen G. (2001) A Traveller's History of China. 3d ed. Northampton, MA: Interlink Books.
Shaughnessy, Edward L., ed. (2000) China: Empire and Civilization. New York: Oxford University Press.
This is the complete article, containing 430 words
(approx. 1 page at 300 words per page).
