History
See also: Xianbei, Manchuria
Liaoning is the southernmost part of the region historically known as Manchuria. The Qin and Han dynasties were able to establish rule over much of what is Liaoning; later on governments headed by various peoples such as the Xianbei, Goguryeo, Khitan and Jurchen ruled Liaoning. In the 17th century the Manchus had their capital in modern Shenyang, Liaoning, before they conquered the rest of China, setting up the Qing Dynasty in 1644. For the rest of the Manchu era, Manchuria was off-limits to Han Chinese, and was ruled by three generals, one of whom, the General of Shengjing, ruled much of modern Liaoning.
In 1860 the Manchu government began to open the region to migration, which quickly resulted in Han Chinese becoming the dominant ethnic group in the region. In the 20th century the province of Fengtian was set up in what is Liaoning today. During the Warlords Era in the early 20th century Liaoning was under the Fengtian Clique; it later came under the rule of the Japanese-controlled puppet state of Manchukuo. The Chinese Civil War that took place following Japanese defeat in 1945 had its first major battles (the Liaoshen Campaign) in and around Liaoning.
In 1949 Liaoning did not exist; instead there were two provinces, Liaodong and Liaoxi, as well as five municipalities, Shenyang, Luda, Anshan, Fushun, and Benxi. These were all merged together into "Liaoning" in 1954, and parts of former Rehe province were merged into Liaoning in 1955. During the Cultural Revolution Liaoning also took in a part of Inner Mongolia, though this was reversed later. In recent years Liaoning has experienced economic difficulties together with the rest of heavy industry-based Northeast China, and this has become a priority for the central government in the Revitalize the Northeast Campaign.
Partial list of provincial governors:
- Chen Puru (1980-1983)
- Quan Shuren (1983-1986)
- Li Changchun (1986-1990)
- Yue Qifeng (1990-1994)
- Wen Shizhen (1994-1998)
- Zhang Guoguang (1998-2001)
- Bo Xilai (2001-2004)
- Zhang Wenyue (since 2004)
Geography
It is possible to think of Liaoning as three approximate geographical regions: the highlands in the west, plains in the middle, and hills in the east.
The highlands in the west are dominated by the Nulu'erhu Mountains, which roughly follow the border between Liaoning and Inner Mongolia. The entire region is dominated by low hills.
The central part of Liaoning consists of the watersheds of rivers such as the Liao, Daliao, and their tributaries. This region is mostly flat and at low altitudes.
The western part of Liaoning is dominated by the Changbai Shan and Qian Shan ranges, which extends into the sea to form the Liaodong Peninsula. The highest point in Liaoning, Mount Huabozi (1336 m), is found in this region.
Liaoning has a continental monsoon climate, and rainfall averages to about 440-1130 mm annually. Summer is rainy while the other seasons are dry.
Major cities:
