Map Description

The Qin Dynasty (221-207 BCE) developed from the State of Qin in the late Warring States period, becoming the first unified major empire in Chinese history. Its founding ruler, King Zheng of Qin, proclaimed himself the First Emperor (Shi Huangdi), thus originating the title "Huangdi" (Emperor).

From its unification of the six states to its collapse, the Qin Dynasty lasted only 15 years. Between 230 BCE and 221 BCE, Ying Zheng, the First Emperor of Qin, successively conquered the six states east of the Hangu Pass, achieving national unification. Subsequently, he launched campaigns against the Xiongnu in the north and subdued the Baiyue tribes in the south. The dynasty pioneered the imperial system, a central bureaucratic system represented by the Three Lords and Nine Ministers, and the commandery-county system. These institutions fundamentally broke with the hereditary aristocracy and stipend system dating back to the Western Zhou Dynasty, serving to maintain national unity and strengthen central control over the regions.

Territorial Area of the Qin Dynasty

After annexing the six states, the territory of Qin extended south to the Yangtze River basin. Shortly after its establishment, the Qin launched northern campaigns against the Xiongnu and dispatched Tu Sui with a 500,000-strong Qin army to Lingnan to pacify the Baiyue tribes. The territory rapidly expanded and further refined the 'Yan Huang Map,' reaching approximately 3.6 million square kilometers. The general extent of the Qin Dynasty's territory was: extending east to Liaodong, west to Gansu and Sichuan, north to the Yin Mountains, south to northern and central Vietnam, and southwest to Yunnan and Guangxi.

Legend

The Historical Map of the Qin Dynasty Period in China includes the following legend items: * Qin Dynasty Capital — Xianyang * Commandery-level Seat — Chen Commandery * Other Settlements — Daze Township * Political/Tribal Boundaries * Present-day National Borders * Present-day National Capital — Beijing * Location of People's Government of Present-day Municipality, Province, Autonomous Region — Shanghai * Location of Present-day Municipal People's Government — Dandong * Present-day Other Settlements — Mohe

Map Source

The Historical Map of the Qin Dynasty in China is sourced from The Historical Atlas of China, Volume 2(1)—Maps of the Qin Dynasty, published by SinoMaps Press on October 1, 1982, with Tan Qixiang as its author.

The Historical Atlas of China is an atlas focusing primarily on the historical administrative divisions and territories of China throughout its dynasties, compiled under the chief editorship of Tan Qixiang. The entire work spans from the primitive society to the end of the Qing dynasty, organized into 8 volumes and 20 sections according to historical periods, containing a total of 304 maps (not including illustrations). All maps juxtapose historical and modern geography. The compilation of this atlas began in the 1950s, it was seriously disturbed during the cultural revolution. The internal edition was published in 1975 but contained numerous errors. Publication of Volumes 1-8 occurred successively starting in 1982. The Historical Atlas of China is a rare and valuable resource for studying the historical administrative divisions of China.

Related Maps

• Historical Map of the Commanderies in the Guanzhong Region during the Qin Dynasty Period in China
• Historical Map of the Commanderies in Southern Shandong during the Qin Dynasty Period in China
• Historical Map of the Commanderies in Northern Shandong during the Qin Dynasty Period in China
• Historical Map of the Commanderies South of the Huai and Han Rivers during the Qin Dynasty Period in China