Definition

Proper noun 1. An administrative division of China: The Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region is an autonomous administrative region in the far northwest of the People's Republic of China. It is the largest provincial-level division in China by area. 2. A cultural homeland: It is recognized as the historical and cultural homeland of the Uighur people, a Turkic ethnic group.

Usage

The term is used as the official name for this specific region. It functions as a proper noun and is typically not used with articles ('a', 'the'). * The capital of the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region is Ürümqi. * She conducted research on economic development in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region.

Advanced Usage

• The name is often shortened in common usage to "Xinjiang." The full official name emphasizes its autonomous status and the Uighur ethnic designation.
• In geopolitical and demographic contexts, the full name is used to specify its administrative and ethnic characteristics precisely.

Variants and Related Words

• Xinjiang (n.): The common short form for the region.
  • Xinjiang is known for its diverse geography.
• Autonomous Region (n.): A type of administrative division in China with a degree of self-governance, often designated for areas with significant ethnic minority populations.

Synonyms

• Xinjiang: The primary synonym, though it omits the official "Uighur Autonomous Region" designation.
• East Turkistan: A historical and politically contested name for the region, not used by the Chinese government.

Related Terms and Phrases

• Ürümqi: The capital city of the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region.
• Taklamakan Desert: A major desert located within the region.
• Autonomy: Refers to the state of self-governance implied in the region's official name.

Noun

1. an autonomous province in far northwestern China on the border with Mongolia and Kazakhstan; the largest province in the People's Republic of China and the homeland of the Uighur people