The name is derived from the Greater Khingan mountain range that crosses the league from the northwest to the southeast. The league's area is 59,806 sq km. Located in the transitional belt of the greater Xing'an Mountains and the Songnen Plain, the league has a long history and splendid cultures. The Inner Mongolia autonomous Region, the first autonomous region of minority nationalities in china was founded in Ulanhot, the seat of the league government, on may 1, 1947. Major historical relics are the Genghis Khan Temple, the Gegen Lamasery, the Hall of May 1 Conference and the offece used by Ulanhu, the first chairman of the People's Government of Inner Mongolia, Autonomous Region. Its unique scenery is a natural and harmonious configuration of hilly land and plain, forests and grasslands.