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Shanxi Province, whose name means 'land west of the = Taihang=20 Mountain', lies in the middle reaches of the Yellow River = and on the=20 eastern edge of the Loess Plateau. The Yellow, Haihe and = Fenhe=20 rivers flow across Shanxi, whose splendid landscape is = graced by the=20 celebrated Taihang and Luliang ranges and Hengshan and Wutai = mountains. Most parts of the land are more than 1,000 meters = above=20 sea level. Shanxi's long history is traced back to the days = when it=20 was a major cradle of Chinese civilization. In remote = antiquity,=20 south Shanxi was the domain of three legendary kings Yao = (capital:=20 Pingyang or present day Linfen), Shen (capital: Puban or = present-day=20 Yongji), and Yu (capital: Anyi or present-day Xiaxian = County).=20 During the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC), Shanxi was = enfoeffed to the Duke of Jin. In the early Warring States = Period=20 (475-221 BC), three families-the Hans, Zhaos and = Weis-partitioned up=20 the dukedom of Jin. Hence Shanxi's another name, Sanjin, or=20 Tripartite Jin. A rich cultural heritage mingles with = natural=20 wonders to form Shanxi's bustling tourist scene, but = visitors tend=20 to be more in favour with the province's many folklore-rich = travel=20 programs. Datong, Pingyao, Daixian, Qixian and Xinjiang are = famous=20 historical and cultural cities. The ancient city of Pingyao = is on=20 the UNESCO'S world cultural heritage list. Shanxi's allure = as a=20 tourist paradise is also attributed to its vibrant cultural = scene,=20 which includes a variety of local operas and folk arts and = crafts,=20 as well as local delicacies and wheaten refreshments.
Abbreviation: Jin
THE PROVINCE'S MEAN TEMPERATURE (=A1=E6)
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