Collection of Western Regions History and Geography

Answer 1

The Western Regions had a complex and diverse history and geography.

From a geographical perspective, the concept could be divided into a narrow and broad sense. In a narrow sense, the Western Regions referred to the areas west of Yumen Pass and Yangguan Pass, east of Cong Ling (Pamir), north and south of Tianshan Mountain in Xinjiang, etc. In a broad sense, the Western Regions also included Central Asia, West Asia and eastern Europe to the west of Cong Ling, and its geographical scope changed continuously in different historical periods. In the Han Dynasty, it mostly referred to many countries and regions west of Yumen Pass and Yangguan Pass at the southern foot of Tianshan Mountain. In the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the scope expanded to the north, Persia in the middle, and Brahmin in the south. In the Yuan Dynasty, it even included parts of Europe and Africa. In the Ming Dynasty, the Biography of the Western Regions covered the western regions west of Jiayu Pass. In the 24th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1759 AD), the Western Regions were changed to Xinjiang, starting from the west of Dunhuang in the east, reaching Lake Balkash and Cong Ling in the west, the border of Tibet in the south, and the border of Russia and Kazakstan in the north. The southwest of Qinghai and the northern part of Xizang were also included.

From a geographical point of view, the south of Tianshan Mountain in the narrow sense of the Western Region was a large basin surrounded by high mountains. There were Tianshan Mountain in the north, Kunlun Mountain in the south, Cong Ling in the west, Nanshan (Qilian Mountain) in the east, and a gap leading to the Mongolian Plateau and northwest of Gansu in the northeast. The basin was more than 2,800 miles long from east to west and more than 1,000 miles from north to south. There were many quicksands in the basin and rivers such as the Talimu River. There were many oases here due to the irrigation of the tributaries of the Talimu River, which were suitable for animal husbandry and farming.

In terms of ethnic distribution, the distribution of ethnic groups in the Western Regions during the Qin and Han Dynasties was more complicated. From Loulan along the northern foot of Kunlun Mountain to Shache, from Shache to the southwest to the Pamir Plateau, the residents of the small countries were mostly Qiang and Di. From Shule to the northwest, they were basically Sai-type. The residents of the "North Road Countries" north of the desert were mostly primitive Mongol. The ethnic groups north of Tianshan Mountain were complicated, including primitive Mongol, Sai-type, and some descendants of Qiang.

In terms of social and economic development, different regions in the Western Regions had their own characteristics. Some areas had developed agriculture, some had animal husbandry, and some had some crafts. For example, since the end of Qiemo, grain was planted. The agriculture, animal husbandry, smelting and casting handicraft industry in the south road west of Qiemo were more developed, close to the level of the Han Dynasty; Most of the north road was an agricultural area, and some of them were engaged in animal husbandry. Shule was located in the traffic hub between the east and the west, and there were more prosperous businesses. Most of the places behind the mountain were nomadic people. For example, Cheshi was an area with developed agriculture and animal husbandry, while Wusun was mainly engaged in animal husbandry.

In terms of political organization, the larger "countries" in the Western Regions, such as Wusun, had more complete political organizations and a corresponding official system.

In terms of the relationship with the Central Plains dynasties, Zhang Qian's visit to the Western Regions during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty opened up the relationship between the two sides. In the second year of Shenjue of the Han Dynasty (60 B.C.), the Western Regions Protectorate was set up, while the Tang Dynasty set up Anxi and Beiting Protectorates in the Western Regions. After the Han Dynasty, most dynasties regarded the Western Regions as their homeland and exercised jurisdiction.

Fantasy Realm is equally exciting. Everyone is welcome to click and read it!