Inner Mongolia
55064
225498920
2008-07-14T00:41:09Z
SmackBot
433328
Date the maintenance tags or general fixes
{{Refimprove|date=July 2008}}
{{Infobox Autonomous Region of China (PRC)
| ChineseName = 内蒙古自治区
| Pinyin = Nèi Měnggǔ Zìzhìqū
| EnglishName = Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
| LocalName = [[Image:OvormonggolAR.svg|140px]]
| LocalTranscription1 = Öbür mong{{unicode|ɣ}}ul-un öbertegen jasaqu orun<ref>The Cyrillic spelling, as used in [[Mongolia|Outer Mongolia]], would be Өвөр Монголын Өөртөө Засах Орон (Övör Mongolyn Öörtöö Zasakh Oron).</ref>
| LocalLanguage1 = [[Mongolian language|Mongolian]]
| LocalLanguage2 = [[Mongolian language|Mongolian]]
| DesignatedMinority= [[Mongolian people|Mongolian]]
| Abbreviation = 内蒙古[http://nmg.xinhuanet.com/nmgdcy/lvyou/nmggk.htm]<!--Inner Mongolia is abbreviated as "Nei Menggu"; "Meng" is the abbreviation of Mongolia (according to the PRC)-->
| AbbrevPinyin = Nèi Měnggǔ
| ISOAbbrev = 15
| Map = China Inner Mongolia.svg
| MapSize = 275px
| MapLabel = Inner Mongolia is highlighted on this map. The striped area is nominally part of Inner Mongolia, but is in fact administered by neighbouring Heilongjiang province.
| OriginOfName = Inner Mongolia is closer than [[Outer Mongolia]] to [[China proper]]
| AdministrationType = [[Autonomous region of China|Autonomous region]]
| Capital = [[Hohhot]]
| LargestCity = [[Hohhot]]
| Secretary = [[Chu Bo]] 储波
| Chairman = [[Bagatur]] 巴特尔
| Area_km2 = 1183000
| AreaRank = 3rd
| Languages = [[Mandarin Chinese]], [[Mongolian Language|Mongolian]]
| PopYear = 2004
| Pop = 23,840,000
| PopRank = 23rd
| PopDensity_km2 = 20.2
| PopDensityRank = 28th
| GDPYear = 2006
| GDP = 479 billion
| GDPRank = 17th
| GDPperCapita = 20,047
| GDPperCapitaRank = 10th
| HDIYear = 2005
| HDI = 0.738
| HDIRank = 20th
| HDICat = <font color="#ffcc00">medium</font>
| Nationalities = [[Han Chinese|Han]] - 79%<br />[[Mongol]] - 17%<br /> [[Manchu]] - 2%<br />[[Hui people|Hui]] - 0.9%<br />[[Daur]] - 0.3%
| Prefectures = 12
| Counties = 101
| Currency = Chinese yuan
| Townships = 1425
| Website = http://www.nmg.gov.cn<br />([[Simplified Chinese]])
}}
'''Inner Mongolia''' ([[Mongolian language|Mongolian]]: [[Image:Oburmonggul.svg|35px]], <!--Cyrillic spelling would be Өвөр Монгол --> Öbür mong{{unicode|ɣ}}ul; {{zh-cp|c=内蒙古|p=Nèi Měnggǔ}}; officially romanized to Nei Mongol) is the [[Mongols|Mongol]] [[autonomous region of China|autonomous region]] of the [[People's Republic of China]], although the majority of its population is [[Han Chinese]].
Inner Mongolia borders, from east to west, the provinces of [[Heilongjiang]], [[Jilin]], [[Liaoning]], [[Hebei]], [[Shanxi]], [[Shaanxi]], [[Ningxia|Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region]], and [[Gansu]], while to the north it borders [[Mongolia]] and [[Russia]]. It is the third-largest subdivision of China spanning almost 300 million acres or 12% of China's land area. It has a population of about 24 million as of 2004. The capital is [[Hohhot]].
The official languages are [[Standard Mandarin]] and [[Mongolian language|Mongolian]], the latter written in the [[Mongolian script|classical alphabet]].
== Name ==
In Chinese, the region is known as "Inner Mongolia", where the terms of "Inner/Outer" are derived from [[Manchu language|Manchu]] ''dorgi''/''tulergi''. Inner Mongolia is distinct from [[Outer Mongolia]], which was a term used by the [[Republic of China]] and previous governments to refer to what is now the independent [[state]] of [[Mongolia]] plus the Republic of [[Tuva]] in [[Russia]].
In Mongolian, the region is known as ''öbör mongγol'' where ''öbör'' can mean south, inner, front, bosom, breast. This is probably related to traditional Mongolian and Manchu world view where south is regarded as front, right as west, left as east and north as back. Some Mongolians use the name "Southern Mongolia" in [[English language|English]] as well.
== History ==
{{see also|History of Mongolia}}
Throughout most of history and time, central and western Inner Mongolia, especially the [[Hetao]] region, alternated in control between [[Han Chinese|Chinese]] agriculturalists in the south and [[Xiongnu]], [[Xianbei]], [[Khitan people|Khitan]], [[Nurchen]], and [[Mongol]] nomads of the north. Eastern Inner Mongolia is properly speaking a part of [[Manchuria]], and its historical narrative consists more of alternations between different groups there rather than the struggle between nomads and Chinese agriculturalists.
During the [[Zhou Dynasty]], central and western Inner Mongolia (the Hetao region and surrounding areas) were inhabited by nomadic peoples such as the [[Loufan]], [[Linhu]], and [[Dí]], while eastern Inner Mongolia was inhabited by the [[Donghu]]. During the [[Warring States Period]], [[King Wuling of Zhao|King Wuling]] (340–295 BC) of the [[state of Zhao]] based in what is now [[Hebei]] and [[Shanxi]] provinces pursued an expansionist policy towards the region. After destroying the [[Dí]] [[state of Zhongshan]] in what is now Hebei province, he defeated the [[Linhu]] and [[Loufan]] and created the [[Datong|commandery of Yunzhong]] near modern [[Hohhot]]. King Wuling of Zhao also built a long wall stretching through the Hetao region. After [[Qin Shihuang]] created the first unified Chinese empire in 221 BC, he sent the general [[Meng Tian]] to drive the [[Xiongnu]] from the region, and incorporated the old Zhao wall into the Qin Dynasty Great Wall of China. He also maintained two commanderies in the region: [[Commandery of Jiuyuan|Jiuyuan]] and Yunzhong, and moved 30,000 households there to solidify the region. After the Qin Dynasty collapsed in 206 BC, these efforts were abandoned.
During the [[Western Han Dynasty]], [[Emperor Wu of Han|Emperor Wu]] sent the general [[Wei Qing]] to reconquer the Hetao region from the Xiongnu in 127 BC. After the conquest, Emperor Wu continued the policy of building settlements in Hetao to defend against the Xiong-Nu. In that same year he established the commanderies of [[commandery of Shuofang|Shuofang]] and [[commandery of Wuyuan|Wuyuan]] in Hetao. At the same time, what is now eastern Inner Mongolia was controlled by the [[Xianbei]], who would later on eclipse the Xiongnu in power and influence.
During the [[Eastern Han Dynasty]] (25–220 AD), Xiongnu who surrendered to the Han Dynasty began to be settled in Hetao, and intermingled with the Han immigrants in the area. Later on during the [[Western Jin Dynasty]], it was a Xiongnu noble from Hetao, [[Liu Yuan]], who established the [[Han Zhao]] kingdom in the region, thereby beginning the [[Sixteen Kingdoms]] period that saw the disintegration of northern China under a variety of Han and non-Han (including Xiongnu and Xianbei) regimes.
The [[Sui Dynasty]] (581–618) and [[Tang Dynasty]] (618–907) re-established a unified Chinese empire, and like their predecessors they conquered and settled people into Hetao, though once again these efforts were aborted when the Tang empire began to collapse. Hetao (along with the rest of what now consists Inner Mongolia) was then taken over by the [[Khitan Empire]] (Liao Dynasty), founded by the Khitans, a nomadic people originally from what is now the southern part of Manchuria and eastern Inner Mongolia. They were followed by the [[Western Xia]] of the [[Tangut]]s, who took control of what is now the western part of Inner Mongolia (including western Hetao). The Khitans were later replaced by the [[Jurchen]]s, precursors to the modern [[Manchu]]s, who established the [[Jinn Dynasty]] over Manchuria and northern China.
[[Image:Desert - Inner Mongolia edit.jpg|thumb|Inner Mongolian desert]]
[[Genghis Khan]] unified the Mongol tribes in 1206, conquered the Tanguts in 1227, the Jurchens in 1234, and his descendants completed his conquest of China in 1279, establishing the [[Yuan Dynasty]]. After the Yuan Dynasty was evicted from China by the Han Chinese [[Ming Dynasty]] in 1368, the Ming rebuilt the [[Great Wall of China]] at its present location, which roughly follows the southern border of the modern Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (though it deviates significantly at the Hebei-Inner Mongolia border).
The Manchus gained control of the Inner Mongolian tribes in the early 17th century, then invaded Ming China in 1644, bringing it under the control of their [[Qing Dynasty]]. Under the [[Manchu]] [[Qing dynasty]] (1644–1912), Mongolia was administered in a different way for each region:
* "Outer Mongolia": The four leagues (''aimag'') of the [[Khalkha|Khalkha Mongols]] in northern and central Mongolia, as well as the [[Tannu Uriankhai]] and [[Khovd Province|Khovd]] regions in northwestern Mongolia, were overseen by the [[General of Uliastai]] at the city of [[Uliastai]]. This is equivalent to the modern independent state of [[Mongolia]], the Russian-administered region of [[Tannu Uriankhai]], and a part of northern [[Xinjiang]].
* "Inner Mongolia": The [[banner (Inner Mongolia)|banners]] and tribes of southern Mongolia came under six [[league (Inner Mongolia)|leagues]] (''chuulghan''): [[Jirim]], [[Juu Uda]], [[Josutu]], [[Xilingol]], [[Ulanqab]], and [[Yeke Juu]]. This is equivalent to most of modern Inner Mongolia and some neighbouring areas in [[Liaoning]] and [[Jilin]] provinces.
* "Taoxi Mongolia": The [[Alashan Oolud]] and [[Ejine Torghuud]] banners were separate from the aimags of Outer Mongolia and the chuulghans of Inner Mongolia. This is equivalent to the westernmost part of modern Inner Mongolia.
* The Chahar [[Eight Banners]] were controlled by the military commander of Chahar (now [[Zhangjiakou]]). Their extent corresponds to southern Ulanqab and [[Bayan Nur]] in modern Inner Mongolia, plus the region around [[Zhangjiakou]] in [[Hebei]] province. At the same time, the jurisdiction of some border departments of [[Zhili]] and [[Shanxi]] provinces also overlapped into this region.
* The [[Guihua Tümed]] banner was controlled by the military commander of Suiyuan (now [[Hohhot]]). This corresponds to the vicinities of the modern city of [[Hohhot]]. At the same time, the jurisdiction of some border departments of [[Shanxi]] province also overlapped into this region.
* The [[Hulunbuir]] region, in what is now northeastern Inner Mongolia, was part of the jurisdiction of the General of [[Heilongjiang]], one of the three generals of [[Manchuria]].
Ordinary Mongols were not allowed to travel outside their own leagues. While there had been [[Han Chinese]] farmers in what is now Inner Mongolia since the time of [[Altan Khan]], mass settlement began in the late nineteenth century. The Manchus were becoming increasingly sinicized, and faced with the Russian threat, they began to encourage Han Chinese farmers to settle in both Mongolia and Manchuria. This policy has been followed by subsequent governments. The railroads that were being built in these regions were especially useful to the Han Chinese settlers. Land was either sold by Mongol Princes, or leased to Han Chinese farmers, or simply taken away from the nomads and given to Han Chinese farmers.
During the [[Republic of China]] era, Outer Mongolia regained independence. At the same time, Inner Mongolia was reorganized into provinces:
* [[Rehe]] province was created to include the Juu Uda and Josutu leagues, plus the [[Chengde]] area in what is now northern [[Hebei]].
* [[Chahar (province)|Chahar]] province was created to include Xilingol league as well as much of the former territory of the Eight Banners.
* [[Suiyuan]] province was created to include Ulanqab league, Yeke Juu league, and the Hetao region (former Guihua Tümed territory).
* Hulunbuir stayed within [[Heilongjiang]] in Manchuria, which had become a province.
* Most of Jirim league came under the new province of [[Fengtien]] in southern Manchuria.
* Taoxi Mongolia, i.e. Alashan and Ejine leagues, was incorporated into neighbouring [[Gansu]] province. Later on [[Ningxia]] province was split out of northern Gansu, and Taoxi Mongolia became part of Ningxia.
Some [[Republic of China]] maps still show this structure.
Manchuria came under the control of the Japanese puppet state [[Manchukuo]] in 1931, taking the Mongol areas in the Manchurian provinces (i.e. Hulunbuir and Jirim leagues) along. Rehe was also incorporated into Manchukuo in 1933, taking Juu Uda and Josutu leagues along with it. These areas were administered by Manchukuo until the end of [[World War II]] in 1945.
In 1937, open war broke out between the [[Republic of China]] and [[Japan]]. On [[December 8]] [[1937]], Mongolian Prince [[De Wang]] declared the independence of the remaining parts of Inner Mongolia (i.e. the Suiyuan and Chahar provinces) as [[Mengjiang|Mengkiang]] or Mengkukuo, and signed close agreements with Manchukuo and Japan, thereby turning Inner Mongolia to a puppet of the Japanese Empire. The capital was established at [[Zhangbei]] (now in [[Hebei]] province), with the puppet government's control extending as far west as the [[Hohhot]] region. In August 1945, Mengkiang was taken by Soviet and Outer Mongolian troops during [[Operation August Storm]].
Following the end of [[World War II]], the [[Communist Party of China|Chinese Communists]] gained control of Manchuria with some Soviet support, and established the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in 1947, following the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] model of nationalities policy. Initially the autonomous region included just the Hulunbuir region. Over the next decade, as the communists established the [[People's Republic of China]] and consolidated control over mainland China, Inner Mongolia was expanded westwards to include five of the six original leagues (except Josutu League, which remains in [[Liaoning]] province), the northern part of the Chahar region, by then a league as well (southern Chahar remains in [[Hebei]] province), the Hetao region, and the Alashan and Ejine banners. Eventually, near all areas with sizeable Mongol populations were incorporated into the region, giving present-day Inner Mongolia its elongated shape. The leader of Inner Mongolia during that time, as both regional CPC secretary and head of regional government, was [[Ulanhu]].
During the [[Cultural Revolution]], the administration of Ulanhu was purged, and a wave of repressions against the Mongol population of the autonomous region was initiated<ref>David Sneath, "The Impact of the Cultural Revolution in China on the Mongolians of Inner Mongolia", in ''Modern Asian Studies'', Vol. 28, No. 2 (May, 1994), pp. 409-430</ref>. In 1969 much of Inner Mongolia was distributed among surrounding provinces, with Hulunbuir divided between [[Heilongjiang]] and [[Jilin]], Jirim going to [[Jilin]], Juu Uda to [[Liaoning]], and the Alashan and Ejine region divided among [[Gansu]] and [[Ningxia]]. This was reversed in 1979.
There are groups calling for the independence of Inner Mongolia from what they view as [[Chinese imperialism]]; these groups, however, have less influence and support within and outside Inner Mongolia than similar movements in [[Tibet]], Xinjiang, and [[Taiwan]]{{Fact|date=June 2008}}.
== Administrative divisions ==
Inner Mongolia is divided into 12 [[Political divisions of China#Prefecture-level|prefecture-level divisions]], including nine [[prefecture-level cities]] and three [[league (Inner Mongolia)|leagues]].
The nine [[prefecture-level cities]] are:
* [[Baotou]] (包头市 Bāotóu Shì)
* [[Bayan Nur]] (巴彦淖尔市 Bāyànnào'ěr Shì)
* [[Chifeng]] (赤峰市 Chìfēng Shì)
* [[Hohhot]] (呼和浩特市 Hūhéhàotè Shì)
* [[Hulunbuir]] (呼伦贝尔市 Hūlúnbèi'ěr Shì)
* [[Ordos City|Ordos]] (鄂尔多斯市 È'ěrduōsī Shì)
* [[Tongliao]] (通辽市 Tōngliáo Shì)
* [[Ulanqab]] (乌兰察布市 Wūlánchábù Shì)
* [[Wuhai]] (乌海市 Wūhǎi Shì)
The three [[league (Inner Mongolia)|leagues]] are:
* [[Alxa League|Alxa]] (阿拉善盟 Ālāshàn Méng)
* [[Hinggan League|Hinggan]] (兴安盟 Xīng'ān Méng)
* [[Xilin Gol]] (锡林郭勒盟 Xīlínguōlè Méng)
Many of the [[prefecture-level cities]] were converted very recently from [[league (Inner Mongolia)|leagues]].
The twelve [[Political divisions of China#Prefecture-level|prefecture-level divisions]] of Inner Mongolia are subdivided into 101 [[Political divisions of China#County-level|county-level divisions]], including twenty-one [[District of China|district]]s, eleven [[county-level cities]], seventeen [[County of China|counties]], forty-nine [[banner (Inner Mongolia)|banners]], and three [[autonomous banner]]s. Those are in turn divided into 1425 [[Political divisions of China#Township-level|township-level divisions]], including 532 [[town of China|town]]s, 407 [[township of China|township]]s, 277 [[sumu (Inner Mongolia)|sumu]], eighteen [[ethnic township]]s, one [[ethnic sumu]], and 190 [[subdistrict]]s.
See the [[List of administrative divisions of Inner Mongolia]] for a complete list of [[Political divisions of China#County-level|county-level divisions]].
== Economy ==
Farming of crops such as [[wheat]] takes precedence along the river valleys. In the more arid grasslands, herding of [[goat]]s, [[sheep]] and so on is a traditional method of subsistence. [[Forestry]] and [[hunting]] are somewhat important in the [[Greater Khingan]] ranges in the east. [[Reindeer]] herding is carried out by [[Evenks]] in the Evenk Autonomous Banner. More recently, growing [[grapes]] and [[winemaking]] have become an economic factor in the [[Wuhai]] area.
Inner Mongolia has abundance of resources especially coal, [[cashmere]], natural gas, [[rare earth element]]s, and has more deposits of naturally-occurring [[niobium]], [[zirconium]] and [[beryllium]] than any other [[province]]-level region in China. However in the past, the exploitation and utilisation of resources were rather inefficient, which resulted in poor returns from rich resources. Inner Mongolia is also an important coal production base in north China. It plans to double annual coal output by 2010 (from the 2005 volume of 260 million tons) to 500 million tons of coal a year [http://english.people.com.cn/200512/27/eng20051227_231175.html].
Industry in Inner Mongolia has grown up mainly around coal, [[power generation]], forestry-related industries, and so forth.
Inner Mongolia now laid emphasis on six competitive industries, namely energy, chemicals, metallurgy, equipment manufacturing, processing of farm (including [[dairy]]) produce as well as hi-tech products. Well-known Inner Mongolian enterprises include companies such as [[ERDOS]], [[Yili Industrial|Yili]], and [[Mengniu]].
The nominal GDP of Inner Mongolia in 2006 was 479 billion yuan (US$60.1 billion), a growth of 18% from 2005, with an average annual increase of 16.6%. Its per capita GDP exceeded 20,000 yuan (US$2,500). In 2005, Inner Mongolia's primary, secondary, and tertiary industries were worth 60.01 billion yuan, 168.51 billion yuan, and 153.76 billion yuan respectively. In 2006, The urban per capita [[disposable income]] and rural per capita net income were 10,358 yuan and 3,342 yuan, up 12% and 11.8% respectively. <ref>[http://english.people.com.cn/200602/05/eng20060205_240396.html People's Daily] </ref>
As with much of China, economic growth has led to a boom in construction, including new commercial development and large apartment complexes.
As the winds in the grasslands are very strong, some private companies have set up wind parks in parts of Inner Mongolia such as Bailingmiao, Hutengliang and zhouzi.
== Government and Politics ==
Under the [[Constitution of the People's Republic of China]], articles 112-122, [[autonomous region]]s have limited autonomy in both the political and economic arena. In theory, autonomous regions have more discretion in administering economic policy in the region in accordance with "national guidelines". In practice, however, the Chairman -who is usually ethnic Mongolian - is always kept in check by the more powerful [[Communist Party of China|Communist Party]] Regional Committee Secretary, who is usually from a different part of China and Han Chinese. The current party secretary is [[Chu Bo]], a native of [[Anhui]] province.<ref>[http://china.org.cn/english/features/40664.htm china.org.cn: Chu Bo</ref> The Inner Mongolian government and its subsidiaries follow roughly the same structure as that of a normal Chinese province. With regards to economic policy, as a part of increased [[Chinese federalism|federalism]] characteristics in China, Inner Mongolia has become more independent in implementing its own economic roadmap.
Inner Mongolian politics, however, has had a history of concentrating more on showpiece projects, such as widening roads, building architecturally exotic buildings, etc., as opposed to dealing with the needs of the overwhelming majority. The superficial development is often done to impress the central government. For example, in preparation for the 60th Anniversary celebrations of the founding of the Autonomous Region, the government spent vast amounts of money building a new 60,000-capacity stadium in suburban [[Hohhot]] that is unlikely to have capacity crowds after the celebrations are over<ref>[http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/MainNews/Forums/BackStage/2007_9_19_9_6_12_665.html Duowei: Chu Bo uses tricks on Vice-President Zeng Qinghong]</ref>. Moreover, the government's obsession with increasing the [[GDP]] has made growth severely imbalanced. Regional officials, especially exemplified by current IMAR Party Chief [[Chu Bo]] have a known history of corruption.<ref>[http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/MainNews/Forums/BackStage/2007_9_19_9_6_12_665.html Duowei: Chu Bo uses tricks on Vice-President Zeng Qinghong]</ref> Chu has challenged the central government on many economic issues, and ignored the [[Central Commission for Discipline Inspection]]'s (CCDI) warnings to stop his corrupt behavior in April 2007. As a direct result, Chu's governing style is known to be the new autonomy political wave where leaders in Autonomous Regions, [[Shanghai]], and [[Guangdong]] in particular deviate policy in opposition to central government directives.
===List of CPC Secretaries===
#[[Ulanhu]] (乌兰夫): 1947-1966
#[[Xie Xuegong]] (解学恭): 1966-1967
#[[Teng Haiqing]] (滕海清): 1968-1969
#[[Zheng Weishan]] (郑维山): 1969-1971
#[[You Taizhong]] (尤太忠): 1971-1978
#[[Zhou Hui]] (周惠): 1978-1986
#[[Zhang Shuguang]] (张曙光): 1986-1987
#[[Wang Qun]] (王群): 1987-1994
#[[Liu Mingzu]] (刘明祖): 1994-2001
#[[Chu Bo]] (储波): 2001-incumbent
===List of Chairmen of Government===
#[[Ulanhu]] (乌兰夫): 1947-1966
#[[Teng Haiqing]] (滕海清): 1967-1971
#[[You Taizhong]] (尤太忠): 1971-1978
#[[Kong Fei]] (孔飞): 1978-1982
#[[Buhe (politician)|Buhe]] (布赫): 1982-1993
#[[Uliji]] (乌力吉): 1993-1998
#[[Yun Bulong]] (云布龙): 1998-2000
#[[Uyunqimg]] (乌云其木格): 2000-2003
#[[Yang Jing]] (杨晶): 2003-2008
#[[Bagatur]] (巴特尔): 2008-
== Demography ==
{{seealso|List of Chinese ethnic groups}}
[[Han Chinese]] are the largest ethnic group, constituting about 80% of the population. While the Hetao region along the Yellow River has always alternated between farmers from the south and nomads from the north, the most recent episode of Han Chinese migration began in the early 18th century with encouragement from the [[Manchu]] [[Qing Dynasty]], and continued into the 20th century. Han Chinese live mostly in the Hetao region as well as various population centres in central and eastern Inner Mongolia.
Mongols are the second largest ethnic group, comprising about 17% of the population. They include many diverse Mongolian-speaking groups; groups such as the [[Buryats]] and the [[Oirats]] are also officially considered to be Mongols in China. Many of the traditionally nomadic Mongols have settled in permanent homes as their pastoral economy was collectivized during the Maoist Era.
Other ethnic groups include the [[Daur]], the [[Evenks]], the [[Oroqin]], the [[Hui people|Hui]], the [[Manchu]]s, and the [[Koreans]].
{| class="wikitable"
! align=center colspan=3 | Ethnic groups in Inner Mongolia, 2000 census<ref>Department of Population, Social, Science and Technology Statistics of the National Bureau of Statistics of China (国家统计局人口和社会科技统计司) and Department of Economic Development of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission of China (国家民族事务委员会经济发展司), eds. ''Tabulation on Nationalities of 2000 Population Census of China'' (《2000年人口普查中国民族人口资料》). 2 vols. Beijing: Nationalities Publishing House (民族出版社), 2003. (ISBN 7-105-05425-5)</ref>
|-
! [[Nationalities of China|Nationality]] !! Population !! Percentage
|-
| [[Han Chinese]] || 18,465,586 || 79.17%
|-
| [[Mongol]] || 3,995,349 || 17.13%
|-
| [[Manchu]] || 499,911 || 2.14%
|-
| [[Hui people|Hui]] || 209,850 || 0.900%
|-
| [[Daur]] || 77,188 || 0.331%
|-
| [[Evenks]] || 26,201 || 0.112%
|-
| [[Koreans]] || 21,859 || 0.094%
|-
| [[Russians]] || 5,020 || 0.022%
|}
Excludes members of the [[People's Liberation Army]] in active service.
== Culture ==
{{seealso|Culture of Mongolia|Music of Mongolia}}
[[Image:KFC in Hohhot.jpg|thumb|250px|A [[KFC]] in Hohhot, the capital; All street signs must be bilingual with [[Mongolian Language|Mongol]] and [[Chinese language|Chinese]]]]
The [[Han Chinese]] of Inner Mongolia speak a variety of dialects, depending on the region. The eastern parts tend to speak [[Northeastern Mandarin]], which belong to the [[Mandarin (linguistics)|Mandarin]] group of dialects; those in the central parts, such as the [[Huang He]] valley, speak varieties of [[Jin (linguistics)|Jin]], another subdivision of Chinese, due to its proximity to other Jin-speaking areas in China such as the [[Shanxi]] province. Cities such as Hohhot and Baotou both have their unique brand of Jin Chinese which are sometimes incomprehensible with dialects spoken in northeastern regions such as [[Hailar]].
[[Mongols]] in Inner Mongolia speak a variety of dialects of the [[Mongolian language]], including Chahar, Bairin, Ordos, Ejin-Alxa, Barghu-Buryat, etc.; the standard pronunciation of Mongolian in China is based on the Chahar dialect of the [[Plain Blue Banner]], located in central Inner Mongolia. This is different from independent Mongolia, where the standard pronunciation is based on the [[Khalkha]] dialect. The [[Daur]], [[Evenks]], and [[Oroqin]] speak their own respective languages.
By law, all street signs, commercial outlets, and government documents must be bilingual, displaying both Mongolian and Chinese. There are three Mongolian TV channels in the Inner Mongolia Satellite TV network. A recent trend has also taken place with public transportation, where all announcements are also to be bilingual. Many ethnic Mongols, especially those from the newest generation, speak fluent Chinese, as Mongolian is beginning to recede in everyday use in urban areas. Ethnic Mongols in rural areas, however, have kept their traditions. In terms of written language, Inner Mongolia has retained the [[Mongolian script|classic Mongol written script]] as opposed to Outer Mongolia's adoption of the [[Cyrillic alphabet]].
The vast grasslands have always been symbolic of Inner Mongolia. Mongolian art often depicts the grassland in an uplifting fashion, emphasizing on the nomadic traditions of the Mongol people. The [[Mongol]]s of Inner Mongolia practice many traditional forms of art. Inner Mongolian specialty cuisine, largely derived from the tradition of ethnic Mongols, consists of [[dairy]]-related products and ''hand-held lamb'' (手扒肉). In recent years franchises based on [[Hot pot]] had sprung up from Inner Mongolia, the most famous of which is ''[[Xiaofeiyang]]'' (小肥羊). Inner Mongolia is also known commercially for the brand names [[Mengniu]] and [[Yili]], both of which began with the production of dairy products and [[ice cream]].
Among the [[Han Chinese]] of Inner Mongolia, [[Jinju]] or Shanxi Opera is a popular traditional form of entertainment. See also: [[Shanxi]].
[[Siqin Gaowa]], a famous actress of China, is an ethnic Mongol native to Inner Mongolia.
A popular career in Inner Mongolia is circus acrobatics. The famous Inner Mongolia Acrobatic Troupe travels and performs with the renowned Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus.
== Tourism ==
[[Image:Five Pagoda Temple, Huhhot, Inner Mongolia.JPG|thumb|right|The Five Pagoda Temple in Höhhot, a Buddhist temple.]]
In the capital city [[Hohhot]]:
*[[Dazhao Temple]] is a [[Lamaism|Lamaist]] temple built in 1580. Dazhao Temple is known for three sites: a [[statue]] of [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]] made from [[silver]], elaborate carvings of [[dragon]]s, and [[mural]]s.
*[[Xiaozhao Temple]], also known as Chongfu temple, is a [[Lamaism|Lamaist]] temple built in 1697 and favoured by the [[Qing Dynasty]] emperor [[Kangxi]].
*[[Xilituzhao Temple]] is the largest [[Lamaism|Lamaist]] temple in the Höhhot area, and once the center of power of [[Lamaism]] in the region.
*[[Zhaojun Tomb]] is the tomb of [[Wang Zhaojun]], a [[Han Dynasty]] palace lady-in-waiting who became the consort of a [[Xiongnu]] ruler.
Elsewhere in Inner Mongolia:
*The [[Mausoleum of Genghis Khan]], the [[cenotaph]] of [[Genghis Khan]], is located in [[Ordos City]].
*[[Bashang Grasslands]], on the border close to [[Beijing]], is a popular retreat for urban residents wanting to get a taste of grasslands life.
*The [[Arshihaty Stone Forest]]/[[Hexigten]] UNESCO Geo Park, has magnificent granite rock formations formed from natural erosion.
== Chinese space program ==
One of China's space vehicle launch facilities, [[Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center]] (JSLC) (simplified Chinese: 酒泉卫星发射中心), is located in the extreme west of Inner Mongolia, in the [[Alxa League]]'s [[Ejin Banner]], about 1,600 km from Beijing. It was founded in 1958, making it the PRC's first launch facility. More Chinese launches have occurred at Jiuquan than anywhere else. As with all Chinese launch facilities, it is remote and generally closed to the public. It is named as such since Jiuquan is the nearest urban centre, although Jiuquan is in the nearby province of Gansu.
== Miscellaneous topics ==
===Colleges and universities===
* [[Chifeng University]] (赤峰学院)
* [[Inner Mongolia Agricultural University]] (内蒙古农业大学)
* [[Inner Mongolia Finance and Economics College]] (内蒙古财经学院)
* [[Inner Mongolia Medical College]] (内蒙古医学院)
* [[Inner Mongolia Normal University]] (内蒙古师范大学)
* [[Inner Mongolia University]] (内蒙古大学)
* [[Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities]] (内蒙古民族大学)
* [[Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology]] (内蒙古科技大学)
* [[Inner Mongolia University of Technology]] (内蒙古工业大学)
All of the above are under the authority of the autonomous region government. Institutions without full-time bachelor programs are not listed.
== Notes and references ==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
{{commons|Inner Mongolia}}
*[http://www.nmg.gov.cn/ Inner Mongolia Government website]
*[http://www.smhric.org/ Southern Mongolian Human Rights Information Center]
*{{wikitravel}}
== See also ==
[[List of laojiaos in Inner Mongolia]]
{{Template group
|list =
{{Inner Mongolia}}
{{Province-level divisions of the People's Republic of China}}
}}
<!--Categories-->
[[Category:Inner Mongolia| ]]
[[Category:Autonomous regions of the People's Republic of China]]
[[Category:Divided regions|Mongolia, Inner]]
<!--Interwikis-->
[[ar:منغوليا الداخلية]]
[[zh-min-nan:Lāi-bông-kó͘]]
[[bar:Innare Mongolei]]
[[bs:Unutrašnja Mongolija]]
[[br:Mongolia an Diabarzh]]
[[bg:Вътрешна Монголия]]
[[ca:Mongòlia Interior]]
[[cs:Vnitřní Mongolsko]]
[[da:Indre Mongoliet]]
[[de:Innere Mongolei]]
[[et:Sise-Mongoolia]]
[[el:Εσωτερική Μογγολία]]
[[es:Mongolia Interior]]
[[eo:Interna Mongolio]]
[[eu:Barne Mongolia]]
[[fr:Mongolie-Intérieure]]
[[gan:內蒙古]]
[[zh-classical:內蒙古]]
[[ko:네이멍구 자치구]]
[[hi:आंतरिक मंगोलिया]]
[[hr:Unutarnja Mongolija]]
[[id:Mongolia Dalam]]
[[it:Mongolia Interna]]
[[he:מונגוליה התיכונה]]
[[ka:შიგა მონღოლეთი]]
[[sw:Mongolia ya Kichina]]
[[lt:Vidinė Mongolija]]
[[hu:Belső-Mongólia]]
[[mn:Өвөр Монголын Өөртөө Засах Орон]]
[[nl:Binnen-Mongolië]]
[[ja:内モンゴル自治区]]
[[no:Indre Mongolia]]
[[pl:Mongolia Wewnętrzna]]
[[pt:Mongólia Interior]]
[[ro:Mongolia Interioară]]
[[ru:Внутренняя Монголия]]
[[sr:Унутрашња Монголија]]
[[sh:Unutrašnja Mongolija]]
[[fi:Sisä-Mongolia]]
[[sv:Inre Mongoliet]]
[[tl:Inner Mongolia]]
[[th:เขตปกครองตนเองมองโกเลียใน]]
[[vi:Nội Mông]]
[[tr:İç Moğolistan]]
[[uk:Внутрішня Монголія]]
[[wuu:内蒙古自治区]]
[[zh-yue:內蒙古]]
[[zh:内蒙古自治区]]