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Guizhou

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Guizhou is an inland province located in Southwestern China.

1 zhenyuan panorama 2015
1 zhenyuan panorama 2015

It sits at the eastern end of the Yungui Plateau. The landscape is very mountainous. The highest altitudes are found in the western and central parts of the province. Guizhou is surrounded by several other regions. It borders Yunnan to the west and Sichuan to the northwest. To the north lies the municipality of Chongqing. Hunan is located to the east. To the south, it meets the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The province covers a total area of 176,200 square kilometers. Its capital and largest city is Guiyang.

贵州省公安厅
贵州省公安厅

The climate in Guizhou is humid and subtropical. This weather supports a variety of natural resources. The province is rich in timber and forestry. Energy and mining industries also form an important part of the local economy. While Guizhou was once considered a relatively undeveloped province, its economy is changing. In 2020, it had the fourth-lowest GDP per capita in China. However, it is now one of the fastest-growing economies in the country. The Chinese government is working to develop the province into a major data hub. It is also a national-level comprehensive pilot zone for big data.

Beipanjiang Railway Bridge-4
Beipanjiang Railway Bridge-4

The history of Guizhou spans hundreds of thousands of years. Archaeological excavations at Guanyindong Cave have found stone artefacts. These include Levallois pieces, which are specific types of stone tools. Scientists used optically stimulated luminescence methods to date these items. They estimate these tools are between 170,000 and 80,000 years old. This makes Guizhou one of the birthplaces of ancient Chinese humans. Much later, the Dian Kingdom inhabited the area. The Han dynasty annexed this kingdom in 106 BC. During the Tang dynasty, the area was organized as an administrative region called Juzhou.

Anshun Wumiao 2014.04.28 16-57-08
Anshun Wumiao 2014.04.28 16-57-08

Names and political structures in Guizhou have shifted through many eras. During the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty, the name changed. The character "ju," meaning carpenter's square, became "gui," meaning precious or expensive. Guizhou was formally established as a province in 1413 during the Ming dynasty. This period saw the establishment of many garrisons to manage local populations. Later, during the Qing dynasty, the tusi system was abolished. This system allowed for indirect governance through local chieftains. The abolition led to rebellions from those who lost power. In the 20th century, Guizhou played a role in the Long March. Between 1934 and 1935, the Chinese Communist Party took refuge there.

Demographically, Guizhou is one of the most diverse provinces in China. The population stands at 38.5 million people. This ranks the province 18th among all Chinese provinces. Minority groups make up more than 37% of the total population. These include the Miao, Bouyei, Dong, Tujia, and Yi peoples. Many of these groups speak languages that are distinct from Chinese. The most common language spoken is Southwestern Mandarin. This is a specific variety of Mandarin. This diversity is visible in the many different cultural traditions found throughout the province.

1 xijiang panorama
1 xijiang panorama
1 bapa dong village 2015
1 bapa dong village 2015

Guizhou is also a major destination for tourism. It is known as a mountain tourism province. Visitors come to see natural landmarks like Mount Fanjing.

Mount Fanjing, 31 March 2020ii
Mount Fanjing, 31 March 2020ii

The province is a key part of the Yangtze River Economic Belt. It also serves as a vital transportation hub for the southwest. Modern infrastructure, such as large bridges, helps connect the mountainous terrain.

Huajiang Canyon Bridge2
Huajiang Canyon Bridge2

The province combines these modern connections with deep historical roots. It is also a national ecological civilization pilot zone. This means there is a focus on protecting the natural environment while the economy grows.

Today, Guizhou is balancing its ancient heritage with new technology. It is an inland open economic pilot zone. The province is moving from traditional mining toward high-tech industries. This transition helps the province grow despite its difficult geography. The combination of diverse cultures and rapid economic change makes Guizhou a unique part of China. It remains a place where ancient history and the future of big data exist together.

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🖼️ Images & Media (12)
File:Atlas Van der Hagen-KW1049B13 050-QVEICHEV, IMPERII SINARVM PROVINCIA DECIMAQUATRA.jpeg
Atlas Van der Hagen-KW1049B13...
File:海龙屯 新王宫遗址.jpg
海龙屯 新王宫遗址.jpg
File:Mount Fanjing, 31 March 2020ii.jpg
Mount Fanjing, 31 March 2020ii.jpg
File:灰背伯劳贵州威宁20080615草海 46.jpg
灰背伯劳贵州威宁20080615草海 46.jpg
File:贵州省公安厅.jpg
贵州省公安厅.jpg
File:1 xijiang panorama.jpg
1 xijiang panorama.jpg
File:1 bapa dong village 2015.jpg
1 bapa dong village 2015.jpg
File:1 zhenyuan panorama 2015.jpg
1 zhenyuan panorama 2015.jpg
File:Huajiang Canyon Bridge2.JPG
Huajiang Canyon Bridge2.JPG
File:Beipanjiang Railway Bridge-4.jpg
Beipanjiang Railway Bridge-4.jpg
File:Anshun Wumiao 2014.04.28 16-57-08.jpg
Anshun Wumiao 2014.04.28 16-57-08.jpg
File:Maotai - Kweichow Moutai Distillery China, Flasche (2).jpg
Maotai - Kweichow Moutai Distillery...
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