Xi’an,Han Qin Brick Watts and Modern Civilization

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Xi’an is the capital of Shaanxi Province,and a sub-provincial city in the People’s Republic of China.One of the oldest cities in China,with more than 3.100 years of history,the city was known as Chang’an before the Ming Dynasty.Xi’an is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China,having held that position under several of the most important dynasties in Chinese history,including Zhou,Qin,Han,Sui,and Tang.Xi’an is the eastern terminus of the Silk Road and home to the Terracotta Army.

Since the 1990s,as part of the economic revival of inland China,especially for the central and northwest regions,the city of Xi’an has re-emerged as an important cultural,industrial and educational centre of the central-northwest region,with facilities for research and development, national security and China’s space exploration program.

Xi’an lies on the Guanzhong Plain in central China,on a flood plain created by the eight surrounding rivers and streams.The city has an average elevation of 400 metres(1,312 ft)above sea level and an annual precipitation of 550 millimetres(22 in).The urban area of Xi’an is located at 34°16’N 108°56’E/34.267°N 108.933°E/34.267;108.933. The Wei River provides potable water to the city.

The city borders the northern foot of the Qinling Mountains to the south,and the banks of the Wei River to the north.Hua Shan,one of the five sacred Taoist mountains,is located 100 km away to the east of the city.Not far to the north is the Loess Plateau.

At the beginning of Han Dynasty,Prime Minister Zhang Liang advised the emperor Liu Bang to choose Guanzhong as the capital of the Han Dynasty:”Guanzhong Plain,which Is located behind Xiao Pass and Hangu Pass,connects Long Plain and Shu Plain.Land of thousands miles and rich harvest can be found here,as if this place belonged to the nation of the heaven.”Since then,Guanzhong is also known as”Nation of the Heaven”.