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What do the names Jiangnan and Subei mean?
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Jiangsu
Qiling Pagoda, Yangzhou, Jiangsu province, China.
In the context of the province of Jiangsu, the names refer to the two sections created by the estuary of the Yangtze River:
- Jiangnan: Literally meaning "South of the River," this region is located south of the Yangtze. It is characterized by its fertile land, dense population, and high levels of industrialization and handicraft production.1
- Subei: An abbreviation meaning "North [Jiang]su," this region lies north of the Yangtze. Compared to Jiangnan, it is relatively less wealthy and, in its northernmost sections, shares the physical geography and agricultural practices of the North China Plain.1