Nearly 100 minerals have been proven in the Songliao Basin. These include petroleum, oil shale, borax, and talc that account for more than a half of China's total amount, and coal reserves accounting for about 1/10 of the national total. The basin has a rich reserve of oil and oil shale. In fact, it accounts for more than half of China's already proven oil reserves. The fertile Songliao Basin is famous for its “black soil” that boasts enriched humus and excellent aeration and water storage. This is why it has become an important production area for soya, broomcorn, maize, wheat, beet and flax.
Rice is also grown in the basin, and it is one of the most important production areas for early keng rice in China.
The Greater Khingan Range is situated in the north of Heilongjiang Province and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, dividing the Inner Mongolian Plateau from the Songliao Plain. It stretches from the bank of the Heilongjiang River in the north and ends at the upstream valley of the Xilamulun River in the south. The range extends more than 1200km from northeast to southwest, is 200-300km in width, and is 1100-1400m above sea level.
The north of the mountain range is completely covered by dense primeval forest in which one can hardly see the sky. This forest belt is wider in the north and narrower in the south. It spans a latitude range of 7° in 250,000km2, about 62% of which is covered by forest. The region contains more than 390 wild animal species and 966 plant species. In addition to the tremendous underground mineral resources, it boasts 4 million mu of usable natural rangeland and a 710km2 catchment area.
The Greater Khingan Range produces many types of quality timber such as Korean pine and Manchurian ash. Larch, birch, and aspen poplar are among the major tree species. In the dense woods, trees have to grow upwards to receive most sunlight. This is why they are often straight and tall enough to be superior building materials. Some big trees can be as tall as more than 60m but still have trunks as straight as a mast.
The Greater Khingan Range has beautiful scenery. In spring and summer, red azaleas are everywhere and verdant forests are full of sweet smells, ideal for summer visitors and those who wish to experience polar nights. In the autumn, under the high sky and light clouds, there are forests glowing with autumn tints as far as you can see. At this time, you can harvest bilberry (northern China love pea), blueberry, hazel, prunus padus, and dwarf apple, which are just like strings of pearls all over the mountains, as well as many precious Chinese herbs. In winter, the thousand-hectare forest is covered by snow, forming a crystal clear world.
The information is provided by presentation of "Songliao Basin" from China National Petroleum Corporation.
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