Shaanxi

Shaanxi, also Shaan-hsi or Shensi, inland province, northern China. It comprises three distinct physical regions: in the north, a semi-arid, loess-covered plateau that is deeply eroded; in the centre, the fertile alluvial valley of the Wei River; and in the south, the lofty and rugged Qin Ling Mountains. Wheat, millet, soya beans, and cotton are major crops, with rice and tea important in the extreme south. Coal and petroleum resources are extensive, but remain relatively unexploited because of a lack of transport. Major cities are the capital, Xi'an and Baoji.

Chinese civilization is thought to have originated in the easily cultivated loess soils of the Wei River valley and its environs more than 4,000 years ago. Xianyang and nearby Xi'an (former Ch'ang-an) were early imperial capitals, but the province later became impoverished as the political centre of China shifted east in the 10th century. It was the scene of great destruction and bitter fighting in the Muslim Rebellion (1862-1878) and suffered severe drought and famines in the early 20th century. Communist forces had their base at Yan'an in the north from 1936 until their victory over the Nationalists in 1949. Area, about 195,800 sq km (75,600 sq mi); population (1990) 32,882,403.