Geography
Yunnan Province is continuation of the Tibetan plateau,
and occupies an area of 394,000 square kilometres, similar
in size ti the US State of Califonia. With the Himalayas dominating
the north, and the equatorial tropics warming the sounthern
areas, the features are diverse and spectacular. Yunnan shares
a western border with Myanmar, and a southern bodee with Laso
and Vietnam.
Two geographically different region are divided by the Ai-lao
Mountains: a limestone plateau to the east, and a mountainous
area with serveral peaks above 5,000 metres, to the west.
The highest point is the 6,740 metre Kagebo Peak on the Yunnan-Tibet
border.
The torrential rivers are too swift for navigation, but
have huge largely untapped hydroelectric potential. The elevation
of the eastern plateau varies from 2,130 metres its western
end, to 1,370 metres on the Kweichow border, where intermontane
basins and broad fertile valleys facilitate intensive farming
More than 40 freshwater lakes, the highest number in Southwest
China, lie in geological faults on the plateau. Larger lakes
include Dianchi, Erhai, Fuxian, Yangzonghai and Lagu. About
30 percent of the land area is forested, and is home to a
large variety of flora and fauna.
Climate
Yunnan's varied and diverse climate means that, while Kunming
enjoys pleasant spring-like weather for most of the year,
the elevated eastern plateau experiences warm summers and
mild winters, and the climate can change substantially during
a journey of just a few kilometres.
To the west, the valley floors and lower slopes of this
mountainous area enjoy warm humid weather, while a temperate
zone stands between 2,000 to 3,000 metres, and ice and snow
envelop the high summits. Monsoons off the Pacific and Indian
oceans provide adequate rainfall, with May through October
the wettest months.
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