Manchuria

Manchuria is a historical and geographical region in Northeast Asia. In contemporary terms the core area lies in China's northeast, comprising the three provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning. In broader usage it can include parts of Inner Mongolia and the Russian Far East near the Amur River. In the People's Republic of China the region is often called Dongbei (Northeast).

Geography and climate: It includes the Manchurian Plain, the Changbai Mountains, and the Greater and Lesser Khingan ranges. The climate is continental, with long, very cold winters and warm summers; rainfall is modest and concentrated in summer.

History: The region is named after the Manchu people who originated there; it was the homeland of the Qing dynasty, whose founders established Shenyang (Mukden) as an early center before moving to Beijing. In the early 20th century it became a focal point of imperial competition; in 1931–32 Japan invaded and declared the puppet state Manchukuo with capital at Changchun. After World War II, Soviet and Chinese forces retook the area; since 1949 it has been part of the PRC as Northeast China.

Population and economy: The region has long been ethnically diverse, with Han Chinese forming the majority and significant Manchu, Korean, and Mongol minorities. Major urban centers include Shenyang, Dalian, Anshan, Harbin, and Changchun. The economy is heavy industry and natural resources—coal and iron in Heilongjiang and Liaoning; Dalian as a major port; substantial agricultural production in Heilongjiang and Jilin.

Cultural notes: The term Manchuria is widely used in historical and Western contexts; in China the term Northeast China (Dongbei) is more common today.