Facts about Tibet

Geographical features of Tibet

The following environmental data describe some of the Geographic features relevant to Tibet.

• Area: 2.5 million sq. km. Approximately the size of Western Europe
• Average Altitude: 14,000 Feet
• Average Wide Range: in western areas: 1mm in January to 25mm in July; in eastern areas: 25 to 50mm in January to 800mm in July
• Terrain: 70% Grassland; From high plateau to tropical forest
• Major Rivers: Mekong, Yangtze, Salween, Tsangpo, Yellow, Indus, Karnali, Irrawadi
• Lakes: 15,000+; including: Lake Kokonor, Lake Yamdrok, Lake Namtso Yumbo
• Mammals: 210 species; including: Wild Yak, Bharal (blue sheep), Musk deer, Tibetan Antelope, Tibetan gazelle, Kyang (wild ass), Pica
• Birds: 532 species; including: Black necked crane, Lammergeier, Great crested grebe, Bar headed goose,Ruddy Shel duck, Ibis-bill
• Forest Types: Tropical and Sub-tropical montane coniferous forests
• Forest cover: 1949: 221,800 sq. km.; 1985: 134,000 sq. km. (almost 50% reduction)
• Typical Trees: Spruce, Fir, Pine, Larch, Cypress, Birch, Oak
• Provinces: U-Tsang, Amdo, Kham
• Plants: 2,000+ species of plants; including: 400 species of Rhododendron (50% of world's total species), 2000+medicinal plants
• Minerals: 26 total; including: Borax, uranium (world's largest Uranium reserve), iron, chromite, gold, copper, iron, Lithium
• Crops: Barley, wheat, maize, mustard, millet, sorghum
• Vegetables: Cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, radish, turnip, peas, celery, carrot, potato
• Ecosystem: forest, scrub, steppe desert, aquatic
• Bordering Countries: India, Nepal, Bhutan, Burma, China
• Population: 6 million Tibetans; estimated 7.5 million Chinese in Kham, Amdo

Geographic Features of Tibet
The History And Legal Status of Tibet
Early Tibetan Kings
Relation with Mongols
The Dalai Lamas
Relations With Manchus
1913 And Aftermath
The Chinese Invasion
The Chinese rule in Tibet
47 Years of the Chinese colonisation of Tibet
Population Transfer in Tibet
Envirnmental Destruction
Militarization of Tibet
Exile Tibetan Government
41 Years of Struggle and Reconstruction
International Support
Sino-Tibet Dialogue