Map Introduction

During the Qin Dynasty period (221–206 BCE), the establishment of administrative divisions in southern Shandong underwent a process from the implementation of the commandery-county system to its adjustment and refinement. This primarily involved the creation and reorganization of administrative entities such as Langye Commandery, Qi Commandery, and Xue Commandery.

Evolution of Administrative Divisions

Establishment of Commandery-level Divisions Following the Qin unification, several commanderies were established in southern Shandong, including Langye Commandery (covering areas like present-day Qingdao and Yantai), Qi Commandery (present-day Jinan), and Xue Commandery (present-day Zaozhuang). Among these, Langye Commandery served as a crucial administrative district in southern Shandong, with its administrative seat located at what is now Xiahecheng Village in Huangdao District, Qingdao City.

Adjustments to County-level Divisions The Qin Dynasty established multiple new counties in southern Shandong, such as Buqi County (present-day Chengyang District), Qianzou County (present-day Jiaozhou City), and Jimo County (present-day Pingdu City). Many of these counties evolved from former towns and cities of the Warring States period.

Regional Reorganization In the later phase of the Qin Dynasty, to strengthen border defense, Qi Commandery was subdivided into new commanderies such as Jibei, Jiaoxi, and Boyang, further refining the administrative structure.

Historical Impact The implementation of the commandery-county system by the Qin Dynasty laid the foundation for the administrative divisions in southern Shandong. This system was continued and developed in subsequent dynasties; for instance, Langye Commandery persisted into the Western Han period, which also saw the addition of new counties like Zhuzi County.

Map Source

The historical map of each country in southern Shandong during 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 Qin Dynasty Period in China
• Historical Map of the Commanderyies in the Guanzhong Region 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