(1)外文名称: Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
    (2)中文名称: 新疆维吾尔自治区
    (3)内容:
                    Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
                      A Land of Promise
   Xinjiang, China's largest province-level unit of administration in terms of territory, stretches along the National Highway 312 from Urumqi and Turpan in the east to Horgas and Yili in the west, with stops in various major cities and same towns along the way, including Changji, Kuiton and Shihezi.
   October 1, 1955, marked the dissolution of Xinjiang's provincial status, and thereafter, in line with the country's national regional autonomy policy, Xinjiang became the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
   A rough sketch of the region's rather complicated administrative divisions reveals that the prefecture-level cities of Urumqi and Karamay and the county-level city of Shihezi are under the direct administration of the regional government, with a further breakdown revealing eight prefectures, five autonomous prefectures, eight cities under the administration of prefectures, six autonomous counties, 54 counties and seven self-governed urban districts.
                           Population
   Xinjiang, with a total population of nearly 1.56 million, was home to 47 of China's 56 ethnic groups, including the Uygur (47.47 %), Han(37.58 %) and Kazak (7.3 %) ethnic groups, as well as the Mongolian, Khirghiz, Xibe, Tajik, Uzbek, Manchu, Daur, Tartar and Russian ethnic groups. The predominant languages in use today, however, include Chinese, Uygur, Kazak, Mongolian, Xibe and Kirghiz.
   Xinjiang's diversity is also reflected in the practice of religion, with major religions ranging from Lamaism (Tibetan Buddhism), Islam, Buddhism and Taoism to Christianity, Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox and Shamanism.
                       Geography
   Xinjiang lies in northwest China, bordering on Gansu and Qinghai provinces to the southeast and the Tibet Autonomous Region to the south, sharing a 5,000-km border line with eight countries. Xinjiang covers over 1.66 million square km, or some 15 percent of the country's total landmass. Topographically, Xinjiang, which lies at the very heart of Eurasia, can be described as a land of "two basins lying between three mountain ranges." The Altay Mountains rise majestically to the north, while the Kunlun, Karakorum and Altun Mountains stretch as far as the eye can see to the south, with the Tianshan Mountains running from east to west in the central part of the region. The latter range of effectively separates Xinjiang into two major basins -- the Tarim Basin in the south and Junggar (Dzungaria) Basin in the north.
   A landlocked region, Xinjiang enjoys a typical continental climate which since ancient times has earned the region the reputation as "the Land of Fruit". A virtual fruit basket, the region offers visitor an opportunity to partake of a seemingly endless list of sweet and juicy quality fruits such as seedless grapes, Hami melons, watermelons, fragrant pears, apricots, peaches, pomegranates and cherries.
   While Xinjiang enjoys between 2,500 to 3,000 hours of sunshine each year, the amount of annual precipitation for the entire region averages a mere 150 milliliters (ml), and thus the air is quite dry.
   Some two-thirds of Xinjiang are, in fact, covered by deserts. The 320,000 square km Taklimakan Desert, the largest desert in China, is the world's second largest area of wind-blown shifting sand, next only to the Rub' Al-Khali Desert (the Empty Quarter) on the Arabian Peninsula. The somewhat smaller Gurbantunggut Desert, which covers some 48,000 square km, is second largest desert in China. Nonetheless, no matter how harsh or inhospitable the environment is on the surface, the deserts are believed to have huge reserves of oil, natural gas and mineral resources.
                       Natural Conditions
   Resource-rich Xinjiang is blessed with numerous advantages and conditions favorable for its rosy outlook concerning opening wider to the outside world with the goal of enhancing overall development.
   At present, the region has over 50 million mu (1 mu=0,0667 ha) of farmland, over 300 million mu of marginal farmland. In addition, Xinjiang has over 700 million mu, or 25 percent of the country's total coverage of natural pastureland. Its 500 rivers have an annual water flow of well over 80 billion cubic meters, with 3,000-odd hours sunshine each year providing abundant solar energy resources.
   Xinjiang is also blessed with an all but inexhaustible list of flora and fauna. Major crops in the temperate zone include wheat, paddy rice, maize, sorghum, barley oats, highland barley, millet and various strains of beans. Oil-bearing crops include rape, linseed, sunflower and safflower. Major cash crops include cotton, sugar beets and hops.
   Xinjiang is home to over 3,500 species of wild plants, some 300 of which have potentially high economic value, with 100 species rarely found elsewhere in the world. One of the country's major animal husbandry bases, Xinjiang offers great diversity in diversity in terms of breeding stock, with fine breeds such Ili Yanji horses. The region is also a natural habitat for 130 species of wild animals, some 44 of which exist in numbers large enough to make them economically viable resources, including wild camels, horses, donkeys, deer, bear, antelope, Russian marmot, black fox and silver fox. The animal kingdom is supplemented with over 400 species of birds and 50 species of fishes.
                       Mineral Reserves
   Xinjiang has enormous reserves of 122 types of minerals, including coal, oil, iron, manganese, chromium, lead, molybdenum, zinc, beryllium, lithium, niobium, tantalum, cesium, white mica, asbestos and crystal. The region ranks first in the country in terms of proven reserves of five types of minerals including berylium and mica, while at the same time holding a second place in terms of proven reserves of seven types of minerals. It ranks first in the country in terms of coal reserves, with recoverable coal reserves estimated at 1.6 trillion tons, accounting for one-third of the nation's total. The region has vast reserves of wide-ranging grades of low sulfur and low ash coal, combined with vast oil and natural gas reserves spread over the expansive three basins.
                          Tourism
   Xinjiang is also known far and wide for its magnificent scenic vistas and enchanting spectacles of the nature. The region, the driest area in China, is home to China's longest inland river, the lowest depression in terms of elevation, most expansive desert, and both the warmest and coldest areas in the country.
   Tourists visiting Xinjiang have the unique opportunity to visit one of the world's most spectacular and divergent regions which features unique rock and sand formations naturally sculpted over the millennia by erosion, ancient grottos, stone forests, desert mirages, mysterious echoing sand dunes and a treasure trove of flora and fauna.
   They can descend to the second lowest depression on earth at Lake Aydingkol which sits at an elevation of 154 meters below sea level, an elevation second only to that of the Dead Sea in Jordan. The divergence of Xinjiang is once again apparent in the fact that the 8,765 meter difference in elevation between the lake and Mount Qogir, one of the world's tallest mountains, is an altitude deviation rarely found in any region in the world.
   The divergence has given rise to the saying that Xinjiang is home to an area where "the four seasons coexist simultaneously in the same valley, and the gamut of weather conditions can be found in an area on larger than 100 square miles". While mountains and hills cover some 44 percent of the total land in Xinjiang, the region is also home to numerous inland rivers, alpine lakes, hot springs and glaciers. The mountain peaks offer breathtaking vistas of deserts, oases, lakes, basins and snow-covered ranges stretching as far as the eye can see, while the grasslands below are teeming with thriving herds of livestock grazing amongst the brilliantly colored flora.
   While Xinjiang is famous for the ancient Silk Road, it is also home to 256 ancient cultural sites, tombs, ruins, Buddhist caves, stone sculptures and numerous contemporary monuments, some 154 of the sites are under state protection. In recent years, the region has opened 22 nature reserves for the protection of flora and fauna. The discovery of petroglyphs in Altay and dinosaur fossils has aroused the interests of experts, scholars and tourists alike.
   The natural beauty of the sharply contrasting Xinjiang landscape consists of vast deserts, majestic glaciers, snow-capped mountain ranges, crystal clear pristine alpine lakes, vast stretches of grasslands, and serene verdant primeval forests. Travelling through mountainous areas one cannot help but feel a sense of melancholy when viewing the swirling puffs of smoke rising from the yurts, or temporary homes of herdsmen, which dot the mountain slopes. On the vast luxuriant green grasslands one can only imagine the feelings and thoughts of herdsmen who ride their horses amidst large flocks of sheep. Escaping the hustle and bustle of crowds of people and honking horn in the cities, one can visit the grasslands to enjoy the simple pleasures of herdsmen, taste the tea and milk favored by the Kazaks. if one is lucky enough, one will have the opportunity to watch traditional recreational activities such as horse racing, goat chasing and a game known as "girl's whip."
   Xinjiang is not only known as the land of fruits and melons, but also as the home to music and dance. When visiting Turpan one can either watch or join in singing and dancing the "maixilaipu" with friendly Uygurs. While sitting under trellises laden with grapes and enjoying the sweet fragrance of grapes, melons and various   other  fruits wafting through the air, one is most often entertained by Uygurs singing rousing folk songs to the accompaniment of a three-stringed dotar.
   The fact that Xinjiang is home to abundant resources such as oil and coal, vast stretches of grasslands teeming with livestock, grain fields stretching to the horizon, friendly people of many ethnic groups, and an untold number of scenic and historic sites, led to its reference as a virtual "treasure house" of China. Access to such a vast array of resources has thus led to the development of cities and towns across the entire length of the ancient Silk Road.
                          Communication
   Airlines in Xinjiang now offer regular flights to 10 cities in the regions. They have opened 16 air routes to major cities throughout China, including Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Dalian and Hangzhou. In addition, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) offers a number of international air routes originating in Urumqi and connecting Urumqi to foreign cities such as Alma Ata, Tashkent and Istanbul, as part of an effort to meet increasing demand for both passenger and freight transportation.
   The Urumqi International Airport has evolved into a new international air corridor connecting the region to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Middle East and North Africa.
   The Lanzhou-Xinjiang Railway connects Urumqi to Lanzhou, Shanghai, Beijing and Xi'an. The Southern Xinjiang Railway branches off from the Lanzhou-Xinjiang line at Turpan, connecting the city to the southern terminus in Korla.
   The Second Eurasian Continental Bridge, which finds its easternmost terminus at Lianyungang Port in east China, traverses the Lanzhou line eventually ending in Rotterdam, Holland. The Lanzhou-Xinjiang section begins in Gansu Province to the east, passes through the Hexi Corridor, the Kumul Basin, the Tianshan Mountains, Urumqi, Changji, Shihezi, Kuiton, Xihu and Jing, skirts Lake Edinur and joins the Kazakistan railway
system at the Alashankou Pass. The bridge proceeds directly to   Alma and Ata and Tashkent, and on to Holland, thereby providing a second transcontinental bridge linking Asia to Europe. The second Eurasian Continental Bridge is not only expected to play a major role in easing bottlenecks in China's Railway system and act as a catalyst promoting the development of Xinjiang, but also to benefit all countries along the l1ine.
   Xinjiang's highway network currently links all prefectures, counties and cities in the region, with regular bus services available to all townships and towns. The region has eight national highways, including the Gulja-Shanghai, China-Pakistan, Qinghai-Xinjiang, Xinjiang-Tibet and Qaukilik-Dunhuang highways.
   The region's telecommunications system has witnessed rapid expansion in recent years, with 99 percent of townships and 96 percent of villages now having access to postal services. At present, most cities have direct telephone links to provinces throughout China, with most having direct international telephone or cable links to 100 countries and regions.
                         Economy
   Increased economic development and major social changes have been particularly prominent since the initiation of the reform and opening-up drive in 1979. The region's relatively well developed industrial structure focuses on a whole range industries, such as textiles, foodstuff processing, leather, paper, sugar, carpets, raw and refined oil, iron and steel, metallurgy, machinery, chemicals, power generation, building materials and the light industry.
   In agriculture, the region has had 15 successive years of good harvests with total grain output for the end of the year reaching 7.06 million ton, in addition to over 34.59 million head of livestock. The output of staple crops increased significantly, with unprecedented figures recorded for the output of cotton and sugar beets.
   The region has established economic and trade relations with some 50 countries and regions, and made great progress in developing trade and technological cooperation with neighboring countries in Central Asia.
   In 1992, Xinjiang was home to 614 Sino-foreign joint ventures or solely foreign-funded companies which had introduced large batches of state-of-the-art equipment and technology.
   The region's total import and export volume for 1992 soared to well over 750 million U.S. dollars with major exports including light industrial products, textiles, arts and crafts, chemicals, machinery, metals, minerals, foodstuffs, farm products, live animals, animal by-products and native products. Exports also included large quantities of high-quality seedless raisins, Hami melons, antlers, hops, licorice, aniseed, safflower, and melon seeds, and hides.
   In addition, Xinjiang's white garlic, known for its size, pungency, thin skin, solid bud and a long storage life has ready markets in Hong Kong, Macao, and various other countries and regions in Southeast Asia. Sausage casings from Xinjiang have gained widespread popularity in Europe and the Americas for their length, thickness and elasticity. Xinjiang carpets, which are characterized by unique oriental craftsmanship and minority styles, are popular both at home and abroad.
   Xinjiang is optimistic about its huge potential export market for its large reserves of oils, coal, sodium sulfate, petrochemicals and nonferrous metals. It has opened import and
export offices in a number of cities, including Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. The offices are not only responsible for developing exports, but also for attracting foreign capital, as well as the introduction of advanced technology and equipment, contracting to provide services abroad, and forging international economic and technological cooperation relations.
   In recent years, Xinjiang has established cooperative economic relations with many countries and regions, including the United States, Japan, France, Italy, Australia, Kuwait, Denmark, Hong Kong and Macao. Thus far, it has approved over 200 projects involving  Chinese and overseas investment of 545 million U.S. dollars. Foreign companies are currently engaged in ventures related to the light industry, textile, agriculture, mineral exploration and mining, petrochemical and tourism sectors. Xinjiang has also signed border trade contracts valued at 225 U.S. dollars with neighboring CIS countries. In 1992, actual local and border trade with neighboring countries rose to 320 million U.S. dollars, up 3.22-fold over the previous year's figure. Xinjiang exported large quantities of grain, livestock and sugar to Central Asia, with 91,000 head of cattle being shipped to Kazakistan and Kirghikistan alone.
   Tourism is also on the rise in Xinjiang, with services being provided by the region's over 60 travel agencies which employ  over 6,000 people, including some 260 well-trained interpreters and guides. Xinjiang hosts numerous festivals in addition to various other regular activities such as Silk Road tours, mountaineering, sightseeing, folklore surveys and scientific expeditions. The festivals include: the Kaxhar Korban Festival held in every June, the Lake Sayram Mongolian "Nadam" Festival in July, the Turpan Grape Festival in August, the Changji-Lake Tianchi Peach Festival, the China-Xinjiang Cuici Culture and Arts Festival, the Hami Melon Festival and the Ili Heavenly Horse
Festival.
                          Culture
   Xinjiang has 60 large-scale public libraries, eight major museums, over 90 regional cultural centers, and 800-odd cultural centers at the county and city levels.
   At present, Xinjiang has 900 kindergartens, 7,000 primary schools, 1,900 middle schools, over 100 secondary technical schools, and 21 colleges and universities offering degrees in 100 majors. It has some 60 newspapers in publication, including 30 printed in minority languages. Each prefecture, autonomous prefecture and city has its own newspaper published in both Chinese and local minority languages.
   Some 74 percent of the total population living in 84 counties and cities currently have access to television service.