Chi-Li

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

CHIH-LI, or PE-CHI-LI, a maritime province of China. It has an area of 115,800 square miles and is bounded N. by Mongolia, E. by the gulf called Pe-Chi-Li, and by the province of Shang-Tung, and W. by the province of Shan-Hsi. Chi-Li is in many respects the most important of the Chinese provinces, containing as it does the imperial capital, Peking, and the treaty port of Tien-Tsin. The Great Wall runs across the whole of the N. part of Chi-Li, while on the coast are the forts of Taku, and the nearest approach to a naval station belonging to the Chinese government. The province is mountainous and traversed by important rivers, notably the Pei-Ho, the Lan, the Ho-Kien, and the Hu-to. The Yu-Ho is especially important because of the canal system developed throughout its course in Chi-Li. There are numerous towns of the first, or Fu class, second, or Chou class, and third, or Hien class. These towns are surrounded by walls. There are Christian missionaries of many denominations throughout the province. The population is estimated at 25,000,000, including a large Manchu element. They are engaged in commerce, and before the World War Chi-Li had much communication with Russia by way of Siberia. The climate is at times severe, the Pei-Ho being generally frozen over from December to March. The Belgians, the Italians, and the English have important railway concessions in the province. There is a good system of telegraph lines. The exports are principally bristles, feathers, wool, skins, etc. Chi-Li has valuable coal mines at Kai-Ping and other mineral resources. The soil is fertile. The provincial capital is Pao-Ting-Fu, 80 miles from Peking.