ABSTRACT
China is divided into 21 provinces, 5 autonomous regions and 3 municipalities. These areas are hereafter referred to as provinces, to simplify matters. As shown in map 1(on page 2), these provinces can be divided into six regions. These regions include the North (encompassing Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shanxi, and Neimenggu [Inner Mongolia]), the Northeast (Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang), the East (Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, Jiangxi, and Shandong), the South (Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, and Guangxi), the Southwest (Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, and Xizang [Tibet]), and the Northwest (Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia, and Xinjiang).
