Map of Xinjiang region within China
The Pamir Mountains south of
Kashgar Xinjiang (also transliterated as Sinkiang) is a northwestern region of the People's Republic of China. Like all of China, it is also claimed by the Republic of China. It is a large area with few people. It is over 1.6 million km2, which takes up about one sixth of the country's land. It is mainly inhabited by Uyghurs who are Turkic people.