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Jilin

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Jilin is a major province located in the central part of Northeast China. It serves as a vital hub for industry, agriculture, and natural resources. The province's name has deep historical roots in the Manchu language. It comes from the phrase "girin ula," which means "along the river."

girin ula
girin ula

This name was later shortened to "Kirin" in English and eventually became "Jilin" in modern Pinyin. Today, Jilin is a key part of the region known as Northeast China.

The geography of Jilin features a distinct landscape that changes with direction. In the southeast, the elevation is at its highest point. The Changbai Mountains run through this southeastern region. Within these mountains lies Paektu Mountain, which is the highest peak in the province. From this high ground, the land drops gently toward the northwest.

吉林雾凇
吉林雾凇

The province is also defined by several important river systems. The Yalu and Tumen rivers flow through the extreme southeast. These rivers form parts of the border between China and North Korea. In the north, the Songhua and Nen rivers flow toward the Amur.

Jilin experiences a northerly continental monsoon climate. This weather pattern results in long, cold winters and short, warm summers. In January, average temperatures can drop to -17 degrees Celsius. This cold weather creates unique natural sights, such as winter rime on trees. The province's climate and terrain support a massive variety of biological life. There are approximately 27,000 kinds of wild plants in the region. Additionally, Jilin holds about 9,000 kinds of medicinal herbs used in Traditional Chinese medicine.

The history of the region is a complex timeline of different groups and rulers. In ancient times, the area was inhabited by the Xianbei, Sushen, Mohe, Jurchens, and the Wùjí. Various kingdoms, such as Buyeo and Goguryeo, ruled parts of this land. Over many centuries, the region fell under the control of many different dynasties. These included the Khitan Liao Dynasty, the Jurchen Jin Dynasty, and the Mongol Yuan dynasty. During the Qing Dynasty, a General of Jilin controlled much of the area. This control once extended into what is now Russia's Primorsky Krai. After 1860, the government encouraged Han Chinese migrants to move to the area. By the early 20th century, Han Chinese became the dominant ethnic group.

Languages spoken in Jilin
Languages spoken in Jilin

In the 20th century, Jilin saw significant political shifts. In 1932, the area became part of Manchukuo, a puppet state established by Japan. Changchun, which was then called Xinjing, served as the capital of Manchukuo. Following the defeat of Japan in 1945, the Red Army captured the region during Operation August Storm. The Soviet Union later ceded the region to the Communists. This area became a staging ground during the Chinese Civil War. Jilin's modern borders were shaped through the 1950s and during the Cultural Revolution.

Mao Statue at Former Site Museum Of Changchun Film Studio 长影旧址博物馆
Mao Statue at Former Site Museum Of Changchun Film Studio 长影旧址博物馆

Economically, Jilin is a powerhouse of natural mineral wealth. The province contains 136 different types of minerals. Of these, 70 types have already been extracted. Jilin holds the largest reserves of oil shale in China. It also has large reserves of oil, gas, coal, iron, and gold. The province is also a major center for the pharmaceutical industry. It produces some of China's largest yields of ginseng and deer antlers. Agriculture is also vital, with large production of rice, wheat, maize, and sorghum.

Modern industry in Jilin focuses on heavy manufacturing and high technology. The province is a major center for automobiles and train carriages. Changchun is home to a massive factory that manufactures bullet trains for CRRC. These specialized trains are nicknamed "Panda." They are designed to run in extreme environments at speeds of 250 kmph. These trains can operate in temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius. They even include modern features like Wi-Fi and sleeper berths.

This industrial strength is supported by various economic and technological development zones. These zones focus on new materials, bioengineering, and refined chemicals. These industries help drive the "Revitalize the Northeast" campaign led by the central government.

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🖼️ Images & Media (5)
File:girin ula.jpg
girin ula.jpg
File:吉林雾凇.jpg
吉林雾凇.jpg
File:Mao Statue at Former Site Museum Of Changchun Film Studio 长影旧址博物馆.jpg
Mao Statue at Former Site Museum Of...
File:Languages spoken in Jilin.png
Languages spoken in Jilin.png
File:长春体育中心2017-2.jpg
长春体育中心2017-2.jpg
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