The Sichuan province is prone to earthquakes as it lies on major fault lines (the plates of earth below the surface that rub together to create earthquakes.) For example, in 2008, an 8.0 magnitude earthquake shook the province and left tens of thousands of people dead and countless others missing. Some believe that having very few mountains and hills meant that during the earthquake, risks of landslides and mudslides were minimized, which would have added to the devastation.
The flatness may also contribute to the fertility of the land in the Sichuan province. Some locals believe that because of the terrain, the richness in the soil is evenly distributed, providing locals in all corners equal opportunity to farmed goods. The tall mountains surrounding Sichuan have also proved advantageous to the locals. A century ago, these mountains formed a giant wall around the province and defended the people within from enemies.
One of the major challenge that Sichuan locals face is pollution. Chengdu is a major industrialized city, and it is constantly expanding in all directions. The flat sturdy land allows for a rapid pace of industrialization and expansion, leading to a lot of pollution that is accumulated into the air, forming dense smog. As a result, Chengdu has become one of the most polluted cities in China.
There is a Chinese proverb that says 少不入川, or “Don’t go to Sichuan when you are young.” The terrain of the province contributes to a cozy and comfortable living environment for the locals. As a young person in Sichuan, one could easily get used to this slow and pleasant lifestyle and lose all spirit to excel or explore different aspects of their lives.
