Jilin Information

Overview

Jilin, formerly known as Manchuria, is located in the northeast region of China. The capital is Changchun, which is about 70 miles (113 km) west of Jilin City. It is home to some 27,090,000 inhabitants, making it the country’s 21st most populous province. The province’s total area places 13th in the nation with over 72,000 square miles, (more accurately 187,400 sq km). Jilin province earned its title from its grand forests. The name Jilin roughly translates as Lucky or Propitious Forest.

Jilin Geography

The Songhua River is the longest river in Jilin. The river passes Jilin City before reaching the artificial Songhua Lake. Jilin province is mostly hills and planes centrally and in the northwest.

The Changbai Mountains run along the southeastern border with North Korea. The Yalu and Tumen Rivers officially form the border between China and North Korea. The tall and snowy Changbai Mountains are one of three sites in the world with “black earth”. The stark contrast between the white snow and speckled black beneath forms one of the most unique and picturesque landscapes in the world.

Zhangguangcai Mountain is just within the eastern portion of Jilin’s northern border with Heilongjiang. Jilin province also borders Lioaning province and Inner Mongolia (Nei Monggol Zizhiqu). In addition to North Korea, Jilin shares a small border with Russia along the eastern most edge of the province.

Jilin Demographics

Jilin is home to 44 ethnic groups, the primary group being Han. Korean, Manchu, Hui, Mongol, and Xibe are also present.

Jilin History

Jilin found its way into Chinese Dynastic history much in the same way as most of Manchuria. In 698 AD the Bohai kingdom was established here. Later, the Liao Dynasty ruled the region (947 AD – 1115 AD) from the nearby area of modern Liao province. The Mongol Yuan Dynasty (1279 AD – 1368 AD) later controlled the area. The final Chinese Dynasty, the Manchu Qing Dynasty (1644 AD – 1911 AD) which had its ethnicity based in Manchuria, also ruled over this province. Under the Qing Dynasty the province was protected from Han migration until the 1860s, which marked the beginning of a massive influx of Han Chinese.

Jilin Industry

Jilin is an important economic province in China with one of the nation’s largest grain outputs. First Automobile Works, one of the country’s most important auto manufacturers, is based in Changchun. Jilin province is an important source in China for timber, producing much of the county’s top grade pine. The region is also known as a producer of three treasured products in China, namely, ginseng, mink, and pilose antler. Jilin China annually hosts the Ice Lantern Festival where many visitors brave the cold to witness the spectacle. The province also gets a good portion of the nation’s winter sport tourism and has some of China’s best ski resorts.