Map of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

Author: Du Huajing
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-07-01
Features: China's Provincial Series Atlas. Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region is abbreviated as Guangxi. Located in the southern frontier of the motherland, it borders Vietnam. During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, it was part of Baiyue (Yue) territory. The Qin Dynasty established the Guilin Commandery, with parts under the Xiang Commandery. During the Tang Dynasty, it was part of Lingnan Circuit. In the Song Dynasty, it was the Western Circuit of Guangnan. In the Yuan Dynasty, it was part of Huguang Province. In the Qing Dynasty, it became Guangxi Province. The Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region was established in 1958. It now administers 14 prefecture-level cities, 10 county-level cities, 59 counties, and 12 autonomous counties. The total land area is 236,000 square kilometers, with a population of 48.57 million. There are 12 indigenous ethnic groups, including Zhuang, Han, Yao, Miao, Dong, Mulao, Maonan, Hui, Jing, Yi, Shui, and Gelao. The capital is Nanning.
The topography of Guangxi is slightly basin-like, with higher elevations in the northwest and lower areas in the southeast. It is characterized by extensive hills and crisscrossing river valleys. The Daxiaoshan and Damingshan mountains form an arc-shaped mountain range curving toward the south. About half of the region is covered by limestone karst formations, which, due to high temperatures and heavy rainfall, have eroded into diverse landscapes of peaks and caves, complementing the green mountains and clear waters to create scenic spots.
Guangxi has a subtropical monsoon climate with abundant rainfall and a wet summer and dry winter. The average annual temperature ranges from 17°C to 22°C. July is the hottest month, with an average temperature above 28°C, while January is the coldest, with an average temperature between 6°C and 14°C. The annual rainfall averages 1,600 to 2,700 millimeters. The rich water and heat resources provide ideal conditions for agriculture, allowing crops to be grown two to three times a year. Major crops include rice, corn, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, and tea. The region is known for producing sand pear, lychee, longan, pineapple, and rouguo (a local fruit). Specialties include cinnamon, star anise, angelica, TCM herb Danggui, as well as mulberry wood, pine resin, copal, and "Nanzhu" (south pearls).
Guangxi is rich in mineral resources, including bauxite, tin, antimony, zinc, lead, and limestone. Its industry focuses on non-ferrous metals, automobile and machinery manufacturing, sugar production, construction materials, and canned food. Traditional handicrafts include Zhuang brocade, Yao embroidery, mother-of-pearl carving, and bamboo weaving.
Guangxi boasts superior geographical advantages, combining coastal, border, and riverine benefits with convenient land and water transportation. It has five airports: Guilin, Nanning, Beihai, Liuzhou, and Wuzhou. Major railways, such as the Xiangguang, Qiangui, Zhiliu, Nankun, and Liqian, crisscross the region. Highways like Guhai (Guilin–Nanning–Beihai), Yiliu (Yizhou–Liuzhou), Xingliu (Xingye–Liujiang), and upcoming high-grade roads such as Shuinan (Duan'an Shiren–Nanning) and Nanyou (Nanning–Youyi Pass), are highly accessible. The three ports of Beihai, Qinzhou, and Fangchenggang have 20 berths capable of handling 10,000-ton ships, with an annual throughput capacity of 19.94 million tons. Inland ports have an annual throughput capacity of 30.52 million tons. Guangxi has become the most convenient gateway for the Greater Southwest to access the sea.