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Yunnan is characterized by its low latitude and its
highly complex topography. The weather is very dry in the winter
when the land is under the control of continental monsoons, and
the summer is comfortable as the humid air is carried in from the
Indian ocean. One can experience seven different types of climate
in the province, namely those of the northern tropical zone, the
southern Asia tropical zone, the central Asia tropical zone, the
northern Asia tropical zone, the southern temperate zone, the
central temperate zone and the alpine zone. The land
of Yunnan slopes down from the north to the south. The difference
between the highest and the lowest points is 6,663 meters. As is
expected this creates sharp differences in temperature throughout
the province. Local residents describe the province as "having
four seasons on one mountain, and a different weather 10 li
apart". Topographical and climatic differences, along with longer
frost-free periods and more sunshine, provide Yunnan with perfect
conditions for developing a widely divers agricultural industry.
In ancient times, the vast region along the Hengduan Mountain
range and the rivers running beside the mountains was like a huge
corridor through which residents of Yunnan exchanged visits and
carried out trade with people from outside the province and even
outside China. These river basin areas were the cradles of
Yunnan's ancient civilization, and they provided a channel to link
the inland areas of China with other Asian countries and even the
Africas. |
