Xinjiang is located in Northwest China's frontierarea. It borders Mongolia on the northeast, Russia on the north, Kazakhstan, Kirghizstan and Tadzhikistan on the west, Afghanistan. Pakistan and India on the southwest. Its boundary line is 5,600 kilometres long, about one fourth of China's boundary line on land.

     Xijiang is the provincial region in China with the longest boundary line and is most bounded by other countries. Its domestic neighbours are Gansu Province, Qinghai Province and Tibet Autonomous Region. Its total area is 1.6 million square kilometres, consisting one sixth of China. Its area ranks first in China, compared with other provincial regions.

Terrain with three mountains and two basins

     Xinjiang shares a clear topography contour. It includes three mountain ranges: Altay Mountains in the north, Kunlun Mountains and Altun Mountains in the south and two basins: Junggar Basin and Tarim Basin. With Tianshan Mountains as the divide, its south part is named Nanjiang and north part is Beijiang. Traditionally, the area of Turpan Depression and Kumiil is called Dongjiang. Tianshan mountainous area includes several east-to-west paralleled mountains, basins and valleys. The altitude of these mountains range from 3,000 metres to 5,000 metres, with snow and glacier on the top area all year round. The highest peak of Tianshan Mountains is the Tuomer Peak. with an altitude of 7,435 metres. Turpan basin is situated in the east of Tianshan Mountain and its lowest altitude is 155 metres below sea level-the lowest point in the land area of China.

     Located in the north part of Xinjiang, Altay Mountains have an altitude ranging from 2,000 metres to 3,000 metres with a run of range from northwest to southeast. The grass land and forest area in the mountains are in a belt-shape.

     Xinjiang's south part is Karakorum Mountain, Kunlun Mountain, Altun Mountain and Pamirs, all ranging from 5,000 metres to 6,000 metres. These high mountains are snow-capped all year. The Qogir Peak of Karakorum Mountains is 8,611 metres high and is the second highest peak in the world. Kunlun Mountains have active volcanoes and hot springs.

     Junggar Basin is located between Tianshan Mountains and Altay Mountains and has an area of 200,000 square kilometres, with an average altitude of 500 metres. In the west of Junggar basin is Alataw Mountain Pass and Ertix River. It has been an important line of communications since ancient times. In the centre of the basin is Gurbantunggut Desert, with an area of 45,000 square kilometres. It is the second largest desert in China. There are many static and semi-static dunes, which are suitable to be winterpastureland.

      In the south of the basin is the vast area of alluvial plains that has become the oasis agricultural area. To the south of Tianshan Mountain, Junggar Basin is an inland basin surrounded by high mountains.

     There is only a mountain pass connecting with Hexi Corridor in the east. In the wake of the arid climate, the centre of Junggar Basin is a desert named Taklamakan Desert with an area of 320,000 square kilometres. It is the largest and hottest desert in China. The alluvial plains at the verge of Junggar Basin are irrigated by the water from the snow-capped mountains and have become a flourishing place with rich agricultural products and pastureland.

     The high ice peaks and the vast area of desert are the two typical features of Xinjiang's terrain.

The typical arid and semi-arid climate

     With Tianshan Mountain as the divide, north Xinjiang features temperate continental arid and semi-arid climate and its south is temperate continental arid climate. Located inland and surrounded by high mountains, the warm and wet air current from oceans cannot reach Xinjiang, except Junggar Basin and the wind slope of southwest of'Altay Mountain. With striking characteristics of the continental climate in the temperate zone, Xinjiang has small rainfall and great variations in daily and yearly temperature. The yearly temperature difference in Beijiang ranges from 4 degrees below zero to 9 degrees and from 7 degrees to 14 degrees in Nanjiang. In January, the temperature difference in Beijiang ranges from 20 degrees below zero to 15 degrees below zero and from 10 degrees below zero to 5 degrees below zero in Nanjiang. In July, the temperature difference varies from 22 degrees to 26 degrees and up to 33 degrees in Turban Depression.

     The lowest temperature was recorded 51.15 degrees below zero on January 26, 1969 and the highest was 49.6 degrees recorded on July 24, 1956. The daily temperature range is generally above 12 degrees. The frostfree period throughout a year ranges from 120 days to 180 days in Beijiang and 180 days to 240 days in Nanjiang. The average rainfall is 150 millimetres. In Altay and the Heaven Pond of Tianshan mountain, it is 600 millimetres. In Nanjiang, the rainfall is very low. The rainfall in Qiemo and Ruoqiang is just 10 millimetres. In winter, Beijiang has more snow days, with the thickest snow record of 89 centimetres in February 1962. In spring and autumn, Xinjiang has more windstorm days. When cold airflow enters Xinjiang through valleys and mountain passes, the wind force usually reaches 12 on the Beaufort scale. In spring, the cold temperature usually brings about a spring drought.

    The longest inland river and lowest lake

     Most rivers in Xinjiang are inland rivers with snowbroth from high mountains as the water source. These rivers disappear in the desert or flow into an inland lake. Tarim River is 2,137 kilometres long and is the longest inland river in China. It flows along the north part of the Tarim Basin. It originates from the Pamirs and Kunlun Mountain and its lowerreach is Kongque River which flows into Lop Nor. Part of the river water flows south to Taitema Lake. Hi River flows along the Hi Valley and is the lake with the largest waterflow in Xinjiang. It flows outof Xinjinag and into Balchas Lake. Bosten Lake in the basin among Tianshan Mountains is the largest freshwater lake in Xinjiang. Aydingkol Lake in Turpan Basin is the lake in China with the lowest altitude. Situated at northeast Urumqi,Tianshan's Tianci (Heaven Pond) boasts wonderful scenery. It is a good summer resort and a natural skiing site in winter.

     According to the constitution of the People's Republic Of China and the law of regional autonomy of ethnic groups, Xinjiang Province was disestablished on October 1,1955 and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region was established. Its former provincial capital Dihua City was renamed Urumqi.

     Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region includes 13 prefectures, 19 municipalities, 68 counties and 849 towns. Among the 13 prefectures, five are autonomous prefectures: Hi Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, Bortala Monggol Autonomous Prefecture,Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Bayingolin Monggol Autonomous Prefecture and Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture. The other seven prefectures are Turpan, Hami, Hetan, Kashi, Aksu, Altay and
Tacheng.

    Of the 19 municipalities, three are municipalities under the government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. They are Urumqi, Karamay and Shihezi. Another 9 municipalities are Hami, Turpan, Aksu, Kashi,Hetan, Gulja, Tacheng, Altay and Wusu. Seven municipalities under the prefecture government are Kuytun, Bole, Changji, Fukang, Miquan, Koria and Artux. Among the 68 counties, six are autonomous counties: Hoboksar Monggol, Mori Kazak, Barkol Kazak, Aksay Kazakzu, Yanqi Hui Autonomous County, Qapqal Xibe Autonomous County. Of the 849 towns, 42 are autonomous.

     Urumqi is the capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the centre of Xinjiang's economy, politics, culture and transportation network. The planned area of Urumqi is 1,600 square kilometres. Urumqi has a population of 1.51 million, with ethnic groups such as Uygur, Han, Hui, Kazak, Man, Mongolian, Xibe and another six nationalities.

     Urumqi is rich in resources. It is called the "city on a coal field" thanks to its 9 billion tons of coal deposit. In agriculture production, Urumqi attached importance to the establishment of a vegetable and fruit base, milk and egg production base and meat and aquatic products base. There are more than 3,000 industrial enterprises with a complete industrial system based mainly on petroleum processing, textiles, mechanics, food, iron and steel,building materials, electricity and chemical industry. There are hundreds of joint ventures in Urumqi, which are cooperating with foreign counterparts from more than 20 countries in Asia, Europe and North America. Urumqi has state-grade economic development zones and high-tech industry zones. In recent years, infrastructure construction including urban transportation facilities, water supply and drainage works were launched.

     Urban function was enhanced and investment and living conditions were improved. Today's Urumqi presents an outlook featuring high buildings, busy transportation links and the combinations of folk traditions and a modem metropolis. Cultural and educational under takings developed quickly. Xinjiang University, Xinjiang Agriculture University and a dozen other universities play an important role in Xinjiang's   educational undertaking. Scientific research fruits achieved by the Xinjiang-based branch institute of the Chinese Science Academy lead in China. Xinjiang Song and Dance Troupe and Xinjiang Acrobatic Troupe are famous thanks to their high-skillper-formers. Urumqi has already become an important gateway in Western China and a window to the world in economy and culture.

     Urumqi has eight most famous historical and cultural scenic spots. Relics of ancient cities, Yuhuang Temple and ancient battery are also attractive sites. Baiyang valley in Nanshan Mountain, 75 kilometres from Urumqi and Juhuatai, are famous summer resorts thanks to their wonderful landscape. Xinjiang's museums are also world-known in the wake of their rich collections. The national treasure Qiuci mural and an ancient corpse dating back 3,000 years are kept in Xinjiang Museum.

     The other main cities are: the new city on the gebi desert-Shihezi; lucky and fortune city-Changji; oil city-Karamay; Improved wasteland-Kuytun; openingfrontiercity-Tacheng; Grape city-Tuipan; Xinjiang's gateway-Hami; New oil city-Koria; Oasis-city-Aksu; Historical famous city-Kashi and the ancient city on the ancient Silk Road-Hetan.