Ili Region
( 2005-09-13 )

  Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture

Located in the northwest of Northwest China'sXinjiangUygur Autonomous Region, the Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture in Xinjiang is home to 3,950,300 people from 47 ethnic groups such as the Han, Kazak, Uygur, Mongolian, and Xibe. The prefecture covers an area of 350,000 square kilometers. Under its jurisdiction are the three regions of Ili, Tacheng, and Altay, and 24 cities and counties. The capital city of Yining is 702 kilometers from Urumqi based on highway distance. The prefecture has a temperate continental arid climate.

The prefecture shares a roughly north-south border of more than 2,000 kilometers with Kazakhstan, Russia, and Mongolia, along which are eight important ports, such as Korgas Port, the site of great trade.

The prefecture is teeming with high mountains, rivers, and dense forest, with intermountain plains and river valleys scattered around, showing the typical feature of an oasis. In its territory, there are large stretches of wild apple, wild almond, wild walnut, and wild rose woods, 12 natural reserves at provincial level, numerous natural landscapes, and remains of cultural relic. It is both a holiday and a tourist resort. The prefecture is rich in animal, mineral, and water conservancy resources, with a bright prospect for development.

 Ili Region

The Ili region is located in the west of Xinjiang and the upper reaches of the Ili River. Under its administration are eight counties and one city, with a total population of 2,115,400 (including an ethnic minority population of 1,420,300), a tilled land area of 287,800 hectares, a farm crop-sown area of 169,600 hectares (including a re-sown area of 34,700 hectares), and a cash crop-sown area of 117,200 hectares. It has a northern temperate semi-arid climate.

The region is an important production base for food, oil-bearing crops, sugar, and livestock. Ten featured agricultural planting areas have been inclusively formed for "Red Earth" fresh grapes, red apples, superior rice, and aromatic tobacco.