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Guangxi

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Guangxi is an autonomous region located in South China.

Southern China map-1
Southern China map-1

It is officially known as the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (GZAR). The region sits on the southern frontier of China. It shares a border with Vietnam to the southwest. Specifically, it borders the Vietnamese provinces of Tuyên Quang, Cao Bằng, Lạng Sơn, and Quảng Ninh. To the south, the region meets the Gulf of Tonkin. This location has made Guangxi a significant frontier for Chinese civilization throughout history.

The geography of Guangxi is defined by rugged and varied terrain. Much of the land is hilly or mountainous. Several mountain ranges run through the region. The Nanling Mountains form the northeastern border. The Yuecheng and Haiyang Mountains branch from the Nanling range. Other ranges include the Jiuwan, Fenghuang, and Duyang Mountains. The highest point in the region is Kitten Mountain. It is located in the Yuecheng Mountains and reaches an elevation of 2,142 meters.

Nanning skyline 2008
Nanning skyline 2008

A very distinct feature of the landscape is karst landforms. Karst refers to landscapes shaped by water that create steep mountains and large caverns. These formations are common throughout the region. They account for 37.8 percent of the total land area of Guangxi. About one-quarter of the region is covered by forests. This combination of mountains, caves, and greenery makes the area unique. The river systems play a vital role in shaping this environment.

Water flows through many different river systems in Guangxi. The Xi River system is a major network. It flows southeast through the region toward the South China Sea. This system connects to the Pearl River Delta. Other important rivers include the Qin River and the Nanliu River. Both of these flow into the Gulf of Tonkin. Near the border with Vietnam, you can find the Ban Gioc–Detian waterfall. This waterfall is 70 meters high and separates the two countries.

Cormorant Fisherman on the Li River
Cormorant Fisherman on the Li River

The climate in Guangxi is classified as subtropical. This means the region experiences warm temperatures and high humidity. Summers are long and last from April to October. During these months, the weather is hot and humid. Winters are generally mild, and snow is a rare occurrence. The region receives a high amount of precipitation. This is caused by monsoon winds blowing from the south-southwest. Most of this rain falls between May and August.

Pagodas en el lago Shanhu guilin
Pagodas en el lago Shanhu guilin

Guangxi has a very deep and complex history. It was originally inhabited by tribal groups known as the Baiyue. The region became part of China during the Qin dynasty. In 214 BC, the general Zhao Tuo claimed much of southern China. Later, the name "Guangxi" appeared during the Song dynasty. At that time, the area was called the Guangnanxi Circuit. In 1253, the Mongolians established it as a formal province. The region eventually became an autonomous region in 1958.

桂林东西巷 04
桂林东西巷 04

The people of Guangxi represent a great deal of cultural diversity. It contains the largest ethnic minority population in China. The Zhuang people are the most significant group. In 2021, they made up 31.36 percent of the total population. Many different languages are spoken here. These include Mandarin, Cantonese, Hakka, and Min. Other regional languages include Pinghua, Zhuang, and Kam. Major cities like Nanning, Liuzhou, and Guilin serve as important centers for these communities.

DF7D Train 2304
DF7D Train 2304
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🖼️ Images & Media (6)
File:Southern China map-1.png
Southern China map-1.png
File:Nanning skyline 2008.JPG
Nanning skyline 2008.JPG
File:桂林东西巷 04.jpg
桂林东西巷 04.jpg
File:DF7D Train 2304.jpg
DF7D Train 2304.jpg
File:Pagodas en el lago Shanhu guilin.jpg
Pagodas en el lago Shanhu guilin.jpg
File:Cormorant Fisherman on the Li River.jpg
Cormorant Fisherman on the Li River.jpg
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