Yunnan: Home of 25 Ethnic Minorities in China

China is dominated by Han chinese ethnic group. Han Chinese constitute about 92 percent of the population of the People's Republic of China (mainland China), and 98 percent of the population of Taiwan. But, China is also recognized minority groups (about 8% of the nation's population). The 55 other ethnic groups are officially recognised as ethnic minority groups. Ethnic minorities of China concentrate chiefly in Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Tibet, Guangxi, Ningxia, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangdong, Hunan, Hebei, Hubei, and Fujian. 25 of 55 minorities ethnic groups in China lived at Yunnan province. They are Achang, Bai, Bouyei, Bulang, Dai, Deang, Dulong, Hani, Hui,Jingpo, Jinuo, Lahu, Lisu, Man, Miao, Mongol, Naxi, Nu, Pumi, Shui, Tibetan, Wa, Yao, Yi, and Zhuang people. Ethnic minorities in Yunnan account for one third(approx. 15 million) of the total population of this province.

Yunnan is the most southwestern province in China. Yunnan shares a border of 4,060 km with Myanmar/Burma in the west, Laos in the south, and Vietnam in the southeast. In the border area, there are 12 national border ports, 8 provincial border ports, and over 90 routes leading into the neighboring countries. The hilly land occupied 93 percent of yunnan's area. There are several river here, such as : Jinsha River, Nu River, Nan Pan River, Yuan River and Yiluowadi River. Yunnan also has nine major lake, such as : Dianchi Lake, Fuxian Lake, Erhai Lake, Lugu Lake, Qilu Lake, Yangzong Lake, Yilong Lake, and Xingyun Lake. Yunnan has three climatic zones : temperate, sub-tropical and tropical. Yunnan is one of the most beautifull province in China.

Yunnan is also rich in natural resources. Yunnan comes out in the top three places in China in terms of the reserves of 25 minerals (lead, zinc, tin, phosphorous, copper, and silver). Yunnan is also rich in non-metallic minerals (limestone, dolomite, halite, marble, and granite). Potential energy resources in Yunnan is hydropower (capacity within Yunnan is estimated to be more than 100 TWh), and geothermal resources (there are 706 hot springs of different types in Yunnan). Yunnan is also reputed as "Kingdom of Flora and Fauna". Yunnan has over 15,000 species of higher plants and about half of China's birds and mammals.

Yunnan province is the place where China meets Southeast Asia. Yunnan is part of what has come to be known as the 'Golden Triangle'. The River Mekong (where it is known as the 'vigorous river') runs through Yunnan province. As we know, this river is also flow at Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Thats why, Yunnan is important to economic activities between China and Southeast Asia region (especially Indo-China). Several ethnic minorities in Yunnan is also lived at Indo-China. For example, Miao/Hmong people. They lived not only in China, but also in Vietnam and Laos.

Yunnan is also the place of origin of Malay race in Southeast Asia. Today, Malay race predominantly inhabiting the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, most of Indonesia and the Philippines. Anthropologists traced the migration of Proto Malays at 10,000 years ago. They sailed by boat along the Mekong River from Yunnan to the South China Sea and eventually settled down at various places, such as the Malay Peninsula, Indonesian and Philippines archipelago. There are several cultural and physical similarities between Yunnan ethnic minorities and Southeast Asian people. Women from Yunnan ethnic minorities usually wear 'Batik and Sarong' like women of Malay race.

sources :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yunnan
http://www.yfao.gov.cn/ewindows/Natural.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malays_(ethnic_group)