A Geographer’s guide to Heilongjiang Province including Harbin by Heather Trim Overview ofHeilongjiang Province Heilongjiang is the most northern province in China and has an area of more than 460,000 square kilometres. It borders the provinces of Inner Mongolia to the west, Jilin to the south and Russia on the northeast. "Heilongjiang" literally means Black Dragon River, which is the Chinese name for the River Amur. Historically it was one of the main gateways from China to Russian and Europe. Map of location within China Province Map Physical geography Relief http://www.maphill.com/china/h eilongjiang/3d-maps/physical-map/cropped-outside/ The province of Heilongjiang occupies about half of the huge Northeast (Manchurian) Plain, surrounded on three sides by old mountain ranges of medium elevation. Plain makes up 30% with remaining 70% as mountains. Its central part is the low lying plain of the Sungari (Songhua) and Nen (Nonni) rivers, tributaries of the Amur (Heilong). Sanjiang Plain formed of alluvium from the rivers is the largest marsh/wetland region and the most productive arable land in China. The plain is surrounded by relatively low mountain ranges exceeding 1,000 metres only in the southeastern and northwest: Da Hinggan (Greater Khingan) Range of Inner Mongolia on the west are composed mainly of igneous rocks resistant to erosion and weathering and contains China's largest remaining virgin forest of larch, birch, aspen, and pine. The mountains form an important climatic divide. They take most of the precipitation from the southeasterly winds and produce a comparatively wet climate (precipitation exceeds500 mm pa) that contrasts sharply with the arid region to the west. Xiao Hinggan (Lesser Khingan) Range on the north. The structure of the Xiao Hinggan Range is more complex. Its northern part is composed of granite, volcanic basalt, and other metamorphic rocks. The average elevation is about 700 metres; the granite peaks near Yichunrise to 1,150 metres. The western slope facing the Nen River is gentle, while the eastern slope is steep. The southern end of the Xiao Hinggan is composed of archlike, folded, stratified rock. Zhangguangcai and Laoye ranges on the east. Drainage The Amur is the longest river in the province forming the border with Russia. It is ice bound from November to May. The Amur’s chief tributary, the Sungari River, is the main waterway of the province. The low altitude of the plain means many meanders with extensive ox bow lakes. The Ussuri River forms the Sino-Russian boundary on the east. It is a broad, slow-moving river and has a tributary linking it with Lake Khanka (Xingkai Hu), the largest freshwater lake in East Asia. Climate Predominantly humid continental climate with long and bitter winters (−31 to −15 °C in January)lasting six to eight months and short, warm summers (18 to 23 °C in July). The annual average rainfall is 400 to 700 mm, predominantly in summer. Areas in the far north are subarctic. Soil Humus-rich, highly fertile black soils (Chernozems) are found in the Sungari-Nenriver plain. Eastern part has the best soils, yielding crops for years without fertilization so form the main agricultural region. In the Xiao Hingganmountains, soils change with elevation. Chernozems dominate the foothills with mountain brown forest soils higher up. Still higher the cold, wet soils are podzolized so are of low fertility, and their cultivation causes erosion. Population The majority of Heilongjiang's population is Han Chinese. Ethnic groups in Heilongjiang (2000 census) Nationality Population Percentage Han Chinese 34,465,039 95.20% Manchu 1,037,080 2.86% Koreans 388,458 1.07% Mongol 141,495 0.39% Hui 124,003 0.34% Daur 43,608 0.12% Xibe 8,886 0.03% According to ADB reports on Songhua River basin, nearly half of the very poor in the rural areas belong to ethnic minorities. Many of these minorities have not benefitted from rising standards of living and live below or close to the poverty line because of the remoteness of villages, poor natural conditions, low education, lack of marketable skills, and poor access to markets and social services. History Summary Heilongjiang was sparsely inhabited by hunters and fishermen. During the 17th century the region became a zone of competition between Russia and China. The region remained sparsely settled because access was difficult before railroads were built there, and it was therefore highly vulnerable to Russian and Japanese expansion during the 19th century. The Russians occupied Heilongjiang from 1900 to 1905. After the Russian Revolution of 1917 the Bolsheviks renounced special privileges in northern Manchuria as a friendly gesture toward China. Heilongjiang remained under Chinese control until Japan invaded Manchuria in September 1931. It then became a part of the Japanese puppet state of Manchukuo (Manzhouguo; 1932–45). On Aug. 15, 1945, Soviet troops entered Manchuria, but they evacuated it later to make way for Chinese communist troops. After the Sino-Soviet rift in 1960, there were several armed clashes along the international border. The border dispute remained unresolved until 2005. Meanwhile, Heilongjiang underwent dramatic and sustained growth that transformed it into one of China’s major economic regions. Economy Economic Data of Heilongjiang Province in 2012 Area 454,800 sq.km Population 38.34 million (2011 Data) Harbin, Qiqihaer, Hegang, Shuangyashan, Main Cities Jixi, Daqing, Yichun, Mudanjiang, Jiamusi, Qitaihe, Heihe, Suihua, Daxinganling 1369.16 billion RMB GDP Growth of 12.7% Animal husbandry and fishery, Green food, Main Industry machinery , Petrochemical, Energy, Food industry FDI 3.9 billion, Growth of 10.8% Fresh food, Water seafood, Processed food, Textile, Leather products, Wood products Main Export Commodities and Paper, Minerals, Cement, Steel, Mechanical and Electrical products, High-tech products, Refined oil Fresh food, Mineral products, Paper, Crude Main Import Commodities oil, Plastic products Export Amount of Goods 14.44 billion, Decline of 18.3% Import Amount of Goods 23.39 billion, Growth of 12.2% Domestic and foreign tourists: 253.82 m Number of Visitors 24.2% increase from the previous year Resources and power Heilongjiang has significant reserves of several minerals, notably petroleum, coal, gold, and graphite. During the 1950s emphasis was placed on the development of coal mining. The Daqing oil field began operation in 1960 and is China’s major inland field but production has declined every year since 2000. The province also has vast commercially exploitable forest resources, with pines constituting the most valuable timber species. Energy production was also a major focus in Heilongjiang from the 1950s, and the generation of electric power has become a major component of the province’s economy. Numerous hydroelectric stations have been built, as well as thermal-generating plants.Great potential for wind power, with an average wind energy density of 200 watts m2. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing Since 1949 large tracts of low-lying alluvial land have been reclaimed between the Sungari and Ussuri rivers with large-scale state farms established. Crops cultivated include: soybeans, maize, wheat, rice, millet, sorghum and industrial crops including sugar beet,flax and sunflowers. Cultivation is highly mechanized but limited use of irrigation or chemical fertilizers. A major dairy area. Raw timber is a major product and the Sungari River is a major freshwater fishery that produces salmon and sturgeon, including beluga sturgeon (Husohuso). Manufacturing Heilongjiang is one of China’s major manufacturing regions, producing motor vehicles, generators, agricultural machinery, locomotives, building materials, flax fabrics, beet sugar, dairy products, and beverages. Much of Heilongjiang’s industry is based on the exploitation of its rich mineral resources; for example, its petrochemical industry uses a large part of the petroleum produced there. As the Daqing oil fields are depleting and oil production has been dropping every year since 2000, there is a pressing need for a new economic growth engine. At present, many investments are being made in large construction projects, water conservation, and airport expansion within Heilongjiang. Additionally, emerging industries such as equipment manufacturing, energy, petrochemicals, textiles and food processing are being planned. Major Cities Economic profile of major cities Links Population(2013 Summary Data) Harbin 9.95 million Equipment manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food processing and petrochemicals. Jiamusi 2.42m Military and air base during the Japanese occupation (1931–45). Electricity production and supply, construction materials, chemicals and agricultural products processing are the pillar industries in the city. Major industrial products in the city include cement, edible oils, fertilizer and feed. The industrial sector in Jiamusi is relatively weak compared with other cities in Heilongjiang such as Harbin and Daqing. The Jiamusi paper mill is one of the largest in China. Shuangyashan 1.5m Metal and food processing, production of lumber and construction materials, coal mining and dressing, steel and iron, and electricity. Qiqihar (Tsitsihar), 5.59m Qiqihar (Tsitsihar), the second largest city and former capital of the province. Qiqihar is part of Harbin Daqing Qiqihar Industrial Corridor, which will become a comprehensive industrial base with a focus on petrochemicals, energy, autos, electronics, medicine and food by 2020. The corridor is expected to boost