Global InformationTibet information
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Tibet | |
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| Sovereign state |  China |
| Capital | Lhasa 31°N 89°E / 31°N 89°E |
| Area | |
• Total | 2,500,000 km2 (970,000 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• 2023 estimate | 7,000,000 (Tibetan people) |
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| Tibet | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 "Tibet" in the Tibetan (top) and Chinese (bottom) scripts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chinese | 西藏 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literal meaning | "Western Tsang" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Tibetan name | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tibetan | བོད | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Tibet (/tɪˈbɛt/ ⓘ; Tibetan: བོད, Lhasa dialect: [pʰøːʔ˨˧˩] Böd; Chinese: 西藏; pinyin: Xīzàng), or Greater Tibet, is a region in the central part of East Asia, covering much of the Tibetan Plateau and spanning about 2,500,000 km2 (970,000 sq mi). It is the homeland of the Tibetan people. Also resident on the plateau are some other ethnic groups such as the Monpa, Tamang, Qiang, Sherpa and Lhoba peoples and, since the 20th century, considerable numbers of Han Chinese and Hui settlers. Since the annexation of Tibet by the People's Republic of China in 1951, the entire plateau has been under the administration of the People's Republic of China. Tibet is divided administratively into the Tibet Autonomous Region, and parts of the Qinghai and Sichuan provinces. Tibet is also constitutionally claimed by the Republic of China as the Tibet Area since 1912. Tibet is the highest region on Earth, with an average elevation of 4,380 m (14,000 ft).[1][2] Located in the Himalayas, the highest elevation in Tibet is Mount Everest, Earth's highest mountain, rising 8,848.86 m (29,032 ft) above sea level.[3]
The Tibetan Empire emerged in the 7th century. At its height in the 9th century, the Tibetan Empire extended far beyond the Tibetan Plateau, from the Tarim Basin and Pamirs in the west, to Yunnan and Bengal in the southeast. It then divided into a variety of territories. The bulk of western and central Tibet (Ü-Tsang) was often at least nominally unified under a series of Tibetan governments in Lhasa, Shigatse, or nearby locations. The eastern regions of Kham and Amdo often maintained a more decentralized indigenous political structure, being divided among a number of small principalities and tribal groups, while also often falling under Chinese rule; most of this area was eventually annexed into the Chinese provinces of Sichuan and Qinghai. The current borders of Tibet were generally established in the 18th century.[4]
Following the Xinhai Revolution against the Qing dynasty in 1912, Qing soldiers were disarmed and escorted out of the Tibet Area (Ü-Tsang). The region subsequently declared its independence in 1913, although this was not recognised by the subsequent Chinese Republican government.[5] Later, Lhasa took control of the western part of Xikang. The region maintained its autonomy until 1951 when, following the Battle of Chamdo, Tibet was occupied and annexed by the People's Republic of China. The Tibetan government was abolished after the failure of the 1959 Tibetan uprising.[6] Today, China governs western and central Tibet as the Tibet Autonomous Region while the eastern areas are now mostly autonomous prefectures within Sichuan, Qinghai and other neighbouring provinces. The Tibetan independence movement[7] is principally led by the Tibetan diaspora.[8] Human rights groups have accused the Chinese government of abuses of human rights in Tibet, including torture.[9][10]
The dominant religion in Tibet is Tibetan Buddhism; other religions include Bön, an indigenous religion similar to Tibetan Buddhism,[11] Islam, and Christianity. Tibetan Buddhism is a primary influence on the art, music, and festivals of the region. Tibetan architecture reflects Chinese and Indian influences. Staple foods in Tibet are roasted barley, yak meat, and butter tea. With the growth of tourism in recent years, the service sector has become the largest sector in Tibet, accounting for 50.1% of the local GDP in 2020.[12]
- ^ "Altitude sickness may hinder ethnic integration in the world's highest places". Princeton University. July 1, 2013. Archived from the original on March 18, 2021. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
- ^ Wittke, J.H. (February 24, 2010). "Geology of the Tibetan Plateau". Archived from the original on May 23, 2019. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
- ^ US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "What is the highest point on Earth as measured from Earth's center?". oceanservice.noaa.gov. Archived from the original on May 28, 2016. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ Goldstein, Melvyn, C., Change, Conflict and Continuity among a Community of Nomadic Pastoralist: A Case Study from Western Tibet, 1950–1990, 1994: "What is Tibet? – Fact and Fancy", pp. 76–87
- ^ Clark, Gregory, "In fear of China", 1969, saying: ' Tibet, although enjoying independence at certain periods of its history, had never been recognized by any single foreign power as an independent state. The closest it has ever come to such recognition was the British formula of 1943: suzerainty, combined with autonomy and the right to enter into diplomatic relations. '
- ^ "Q&A: China and the Tibetans". BBC News. August 15, 2011. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
- ^ Lee, Peter (May 7, 2011). "Tibet's only hope lies within". The Asia Times. Archived from the original on December 28, 2011. Retrieved May 10, 2011.
Robin [alias of a young Tibetan in Qinghai] described the region as a cauldron of tension. Tibetans still were infuriated by numerous arrests in the wake of the 2008 protests. But local Tibetans had not organized themselves. 'They are very angry at the Chinese government and the Chinese people,' Robin said. 'But they have no idea what to do. There is no leader. When a leader appears and somebody helps out they will all join.' We ... heard tale after tale of civil disobedience in outlying hamlets. In one village, Tibetans burned their Chinese flags and hoisted the banned Tibetan Snow Lion flag instead. Authorities ... detained nine villagers ... One nomad ... said 'After I die ... my sons and grandsons will remember. They will hate the government.'
- ^ "Regions and territories: Tibet". BBC News. December 11, 2010. Archived from the original on April 22, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
- ^ Wong, Edward (February 18, 2009). "China Adds to Security Forces in Tibet Amid Calls for a Boycott". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on June 16, 2017. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
- ^ "China: Tibetan Detainees at Serious Risk of Torture and Mistreatment". March 19, 2008. Archived from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
- ^ "Bon". ReligionFacts. Archived from the original on May 9, 2017. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
- ^ "2020年西藏自治区国民经济和社会发展统计公报". State Ethnic Affairs Commission. Archived from the original on March 20, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2022.