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Places in China: Yunnan Province

Among all the provinces in China, Yunnan has the most diverse ethnic population. Among China's fifty-six ethnic groups, twenty-five of them are found in Yunnan. The groups tend to gather with others of their own ethnic background in groups of around five thousand people. Minority ethnic groups tend to live in river valleys and border areas.

The 44,150,000 people in the province live on 394,100 square kilometres of land area. The population density is 112 per square kilometre. The capital city of Yunnan is Kunming, and it is also the largest city in the province. This city is a melting pot of the province's history. In Kunming one can find a number of restored temples plus natural wonders such as Lake Dianchi and Stone Forest.

The largest ethnic population in Yunnan are the sixty-seven percent Han Chinese. Eleven percent of the people are Yi. Some other groups represented in the province include Zhuang, Dai, Miao, Hui, Lisu, Lahu, Va, Naxi, Yao, Tibetan, Jingpo, Blang, Pumi, Nu, Achang, Deang (Penglong), Mongolian, Drung and Jino.

Yunnan, which means 'south of the clouds' in Chinese, is found in the Yungui Plateau in southwest China. The Tropic of Cancer runs through this province. Yunnan shares its border with Viet Nam, Laos and Myanmar. Provinces in China which touch the borders of Yunnan include Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guizhou, Sichuan and Tibet Autonomous Region.

There is great diversity in the topography of the province. Mountains, glaciers and tropical forests are all within its borders. Around 18,000 of the 30,000 plant species in China are found in Yunnan. Many medicinal herbs are among them. Endangered plants and animal species are found in the Xishuangbanna rain forest in the province. The Yunnan golden monkey and Asian elephant are native to the area.

Although the land in the province is fertile, it is largely too difficult to reach for much farming to take place. Among the few agricultural products in the province are grapes, rice, sugar cane, tea and tobacco. The main provincial industries include non-ferrous metals, sugar and tobacco. Electrical equipment, machinery and chemical products are also exported from Yunnan.

Weather in the Yunnan Province is rather good all year long. In the evenings, the temperature may drop somewhat as well as in higher elevations in the province. Rainfall is sufficient also.

Transportation to and from Yunnan are mainly by highways and the rail system. Tourism is encouraged due to the pleasant climate, the local customs and attractive landscapes.