Where do most of China's ethnic minority groups reside?

Most of China's ethnic minority groups reside in border regions, which include the areas along the country's various frontiers with neighboring countries. This distribution is largely due to historical circumstances and governmental policies that encouraged different ethnic groups to inhabit these less densely populated and often less economically developed areas.

The border regions often include provinces and autonomous regions such as Xinjiang, Tibet, and Yunnan, where significant populations of ethnic minorities like Uighurs, Tibetans, and various indigenous groups live. These areas are characterized by their diverse cultural practices, languages, and traditions that are distinct from the Han majority culture prevalent in more central or urbanized parts of the country.

In contrast, urban areas tend to be dominated by the Han majority, as economic opportunities and development tend to attract the majority population. Coastal regions, while economically vibrant, also reflect more Han dominance for similar reasons. Rural areas may contain some ethnic minorities, but they are particularly concentrated in specific border regions that align with the settlement patterns of various ethnic groups. Thus, the identification of border regions as the primary residence of these groups highlights the intersection of geography and ethnicity in China's demographic landscape.