BRIEF INTRODUCTION

This chapter mainly covers the data on China’s divisions of administrative areas, natural conditions and the exploitation and utilization of the natural resources. Data in this chapter are compiled by the Department of Integrated Statistics of the National Bureau of Statistics using information from relevant ministries and agencies.

1) Data on “Divisions of Administrative Areas in China” are prepared in accordance with the “Changes in the Divisions of Administrative Areas at and Above County Level in China” provided by the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

2) Natural conditions cover land area, mountain ranges, rivers, ocean and meteorological phenomena. Data on land area, mountain ranges and rivers are prepared in accordance with the data on “The Divisions of Agricultural Resources” compiled by the Ministry of Agriculture in 1984. Data on ocean are taken from the “China Oceanic Statistics Yearbook” of complied by the State Oceanic Administration, and the meteorological data are provided by China Meteorological Bureau.

3) Natural resources cover land, climate, forest, water conservancy and mineral resources. Climate data are prepared in accordance with the data on “the Divisions of Agricultural Resources” compiled by the Ministry of Agriculture in 1984. Data on forest are prepared according to data in the communiqué of the surveys conducted by the National Bureau of Forestry in 1994-1998. Data on water conservancy are provided by the Ministry of Water Conservancy. Data on mineral resources are provided by the Ministry of Land and Resources.