Heihe–Tengchong Line

The Heihe–Tengchong Line (), also called the Aihui-Tengchong Line (and internationally as the Hu line), is an imaginary line that divides the area of China into two parts with contrasting population densities. It stretches from the city of Heihe in the northeast to Tengchong in the south, diagonally across China. The eastern portion, area shown in red in the map, is further subdivided into north and south halves.

As of 2015, 43% of the Chinese territory is east of the line and has 94% of the country's population, and 57% of the Chinese territory is west of the line and has only 6% of the country's population.

History

Chinese population geographer Hu Huanyong imagined the line in 1935 and called it a "geo-demographic demacaration line". As this line was proposed in 1935, the map of China at the time included Mongolia (whose independence China did not recognise until after WWII) but excluded Taiwan (which was a colony of Japan at the time).

The origin of the contrast in population density can be found in the favourable climate for agriculture, fertile land and coastal access in eastern China. The oldest cities in China were located in the southeastern and northeastern regions, such as the Zhongyuan (Central Plains) due to proximity to rivers. The presence of drainage basins formed by the Yangtze and Yellow River improve crop yield, allowing for population increases. Additionally, access to the coast enables overseas trade and allows for economic growth.

The most densely populated region, and historical heartland of China is described in the West by the term China proper due to the dominance of Chinese culture and the Han Chinese ethnicity throughout the dynasties in contrast with the outer regions.

Demographic trend

1935 statistics

This imaginary line divides the territory of China as follows (going by 1935 statistics):

* West of the line (including Mongolia): 64% of the area, but only 4% of the population (1935)
* East of the line: 36% of the area, but 96% of the population (1935)

2002 and 2015 statistics

Despite a large scale urban migration mainly towards coasts but also trending south, 2002 and 2015 statistics remain nearly identical ''vis-à-vis'' the line:

* West of the line: 57% of the area, but only 6% of the population (2002)
* East of the line: 43% of the area, but 94% of the population (2002)

The major change in area between 1935 and 2015 is attributed to China acknowledging the independence of Mongolia after the Yalta Conference. The minor change in total population percent from 1935 to 2015 is attributed to Han Chinese migration to urban areas west of the line, as well as one-child policy restrictions on the majority, with exceptions for largely-minority groups west of the line. However, during the 2000-2015 period, population in the west of the line indeed grew faster than the east, but the growth was not sufficient to budge the rounded percentages. Most of this growth was contained in the cities of Ürümqi, Lanzhou, Ordos, and Yinchuan, although some tribal non-city areas also registered high growth.

Present statistics

See also

* Qinling–Huaihe Line, further subdivides eastern China in northern and southern halves
* Physiographic macroregions of China
* China proper
* 100th Meridian West, similar dividing line in the United States
* Administrative divisions of China
* Template:PRC provinces big imagemap
* Autonomous administrative divisions of China
* Autonomous regions of China

References

External links

Great Circle Mapper

Numerical Simulation of Population Distribution in China



{{DEFAULTSORT:Heihe-Tengchong Line
Cultural boundaries
Geography of China
Demographics of China