Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region

I

Introduction

Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, also called Nei Mongol Autonomous Region, administrative region of northern China, stretching about 2,650 km (about 1,650 mi) in a gigantic arc from northeast to northwest China. The region is bordered on the north by Russia and Mongolia; on the east by the provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning; and on the south and southwest by Hebei, Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Gansu provinces and by Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Inner Mongolia is one of China’s largest administrative regions, with a total area of 1,177,500 sq km (454,640 sq mi).

II

Physical Geography and Climate

Much of Inner Mongolia is a high, inland plateau with elevations of about 1000 m (about 3000 ft). The plateau is fringed with high mountains and river valleys. On the northern and western flanks the land falls toward the vast Gobi Desert. In the northeast, the surface is comprised of the Da Hinggan Ling (Greater Khingan Range) with elevations ranging from 1200 to 2000 m (3900 to 7000 ft). The Huang He (Yellow River) flows north from Ningxia Hui and forms a great loop that encloses the Ordos Desert (Mu Us Shamo). The Huang He is used for irrigation and there are numerous settlements and several cities along the river’s course through Inner Mongolia.

Although the range and extremes of temperatures and precipitation vary, Inner Mongolia’s climate is typically dry and continental, with warm summers and very cold, dry winters. The average January temperature in the capital Hohhot, located near the center of the region, is -9° C (16° F); the average August temperature is 24° C (75° F). The annual precipitation is 368 mm (14 in), with a January minimum of 2 mm (0.1 in) and a June maximum of 108 mm (4 in). The mountain range in the east receives more precipitation, about 500 mm (about 20 in). In the west vegetation is sparse, while the eastern mountains are covered with coniferous forests and, at lower elevations, a few deciduous species. Grasslands predominate on the plateau, where they sustain large numbers of grazing animals such as sheep, goats, camels, and horses.

III

Population

The 2003 population of Inner Mongolia was 42,100,000, up from only 6.1 million in 1953. The rapid population growth since the 1950s is a result of better nutrition, increased health care services, and a substantial migration into the region of Han Chinese, China’s majority ethnic group. More than 80 percent of the population is Han. Mongols comprise the largest minority group in Inner Mongolia, and their presence is acknowledged by the government’s designation of Inner Mongolia as an autonomous region. Other minority groups in the region include the Hui (Chinese Muslims), Manchus, Daur Mongols, Koreans, the Evenki, and the Oroqen.

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About one-third of Inner Mongolia’s population live in cities and towns. Baotou is the largest city and is a major industrial center with a large iron and steel complex, as well as cement, chemical, fertilizer, machine tool, and textile manufacturers. Hohhot, the capital, is the region’s main administrative and cultural center and an important transportation and industrial hub. Hohhot contains Inner Mongolia’s main universities, Buddhist temples, and museums. Other important cities include Chifeng and Tongliao.

IV

Economy

Traditionally, Inner Mongolia’s economy was agricultural, with products associated with animal husbandry, as well as products from the forests of the Da Hinggan Ling. Farming is productive along the Huang He; important crops include oats, wheat, millet, kaoliang (sorghum), sunflowers, and sugar beets. In recent years industry has grown. Much of it is related to the natural resources of the region, including iron ore, coal, alkali soda, and salt.

Inner Mongolia has limited transportation facilities, although three important railroads traverse parts of the region. The Chinese eastern leg of the Trans-Siberian Railroad passes through northern Inner Mongolia on its route from Russia to Heilongjiang. The Trans-Mongolian Railway that links Beijing with Mongolia and Russia runs through the middle of Inner Mongolia. Another rail line extends from Baotou to far western China. A few major highways link Inner Mongolian cities with the rest of China and domestic air service links the larger cities with Beijing, but much of Inner Mongolia remains isolated.

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