CHINA. Jiaxian, Shaanxi. 1998. Jiaxian is located about there hundred kilometers northeast of Yan'an. In this area is a large plateau of loess, yellowish-brown loam mainly carried from the northwest region of China by the wind and deposited here. The Huange He River (Yellow River) flows nearby, but a lack of facilities prevents use of the riverÕs water for irrigation. Crops cultivated here on the terraced fields are mainly potatoes, corn, and a little wheat. Because the land is so arid, and a successful harvest depends greatly on rain. The farmers are poor but very proud of the historic role YanÕan played in the revolution.