The Yi are one of the big peoples of Southwest China. They are spread in most of Yunnan Province, south of Sichuan and southwest of Guizhou, a continuous territory of poor lands and lofty mountains that that lead to the establishment of the many autonomous administrative entities we show below.

In Sichuan Province

Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture
Established in 1952
Surface: 59.000 km2
Population (1983): 3.230.000 inhabitants. Of them 1.330.000 (41, 1%) were Yi. In year 2000 census the Yi were 1,800,000 (44, 3%) from a total population of 4,1 millions.
Close to the outer world until the 1950s, its said that is in Liangshan where the Yi old traditions are better preserved. Most of the Yi in Liangshan belong to the Nosu branch. There are also people of some small branches living in Liangshan.

Ebian Yi Autonomous County
Established in 1984
Surface: 2.395 km2
Population (1983): 120.000 inhabitants. Of them 27.000 are Yi, mainly Nosu branch.

Mabian Yi Autonomous County
Established in 1984
Surface: 2.374 km2
Population (1983): 148.000 inhabitants. Of them 48.000 are Yi, mainly Nosu branch.

In Yunnan Province

Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture
Established in 1958
Surface: 29.000 km2
Population (1983): 2.200.000 inhabitants. Of them 570.000 are Yi, belonging to more than fifteen branches, mainly Nasu, Shesu, Gaisu, Chesu and Azhi. The population surpassed 2,500,000 inhabitants in year 2000 census, with 668,000 Yi (26,1%)

Honghe Yi and Hani Autonomous Prefecture
Established in 1957
Surface: 32.000 km2
Population (1983): 3.220.000 inhabitants. Of them 724.000 are Yi and 518.000 Hani. Most of the Yi are of the Nasu, Shesu and Gaisu branches. Acording to year 2000 census the population of this prefecture was 4,1 million inhabitants, with 973,000 Yi (23,5%) and 685,000 Hani (16,6%)

Eshan Yi Autonomous County
Established in 1951
Surface: 1.900 km2
Population (1983): 120.000 inhabitants. Of them 58.000 are Yi, mainly Chesu branch.

Jiangcheng Hani and Yi Autonomous County
Established in 1954
Surface: 3.375 km2
Population (1983): 80.000 inhabitants. Of them 40.000 are Hani and 10.000 Yi, mainly Nosu branch.

Ninglang Yi Autonomous County
Established in 1956
Surface: 6.025 km2
Population (1983): 168.000 inhabitants. Of them 95.000 are Yi, mainly Nosu branch.

Weishan Yi and Hui Autonomous County
Established in 1956
Surface: 2.200 km2
Population (1983): 250.000 inhabitants. Of them 80.000 are Yi, mainly Gaisu and Laluo branches, and 17.000 Hui.

Lunan Yi Autonomous County
Established in 1956
Surface: 1.700 km2
Population (1983): 188.000 inhabitants. Of them 56.000 are Yi, mainly Sani branch.

Nanjian Yi Autonomous County
Established in 1965
Surface: 1.700 km2
Population (1983): 188.000 inhabitants. Of them 80.000 are Yi.

Xundian Hui and Yi Autonomous County
Established in 1979
Surface: 3.700 km2
Population (1983): 390.000 inhabitants. Of them 45.000 are Hui and 34.000 Yi, mainly Gepo branch.

Yuanjiang Hani and Yi Autonomous County
Established in 1980
Surface: 2.275 km2
Population (1983): 160.000 inhabitants. Of them 58.000 are Hani, 35.000 are Yi and 19.000 are Dai.

Xinping Yi and Dai Autonomous County
Established in 1980
Surface: 4.200 km2
Population (1983): 220.000 inhabitants. Of them 100.000 are Yi (Gaisu and Laluo branches) and 34.000 Dai.

Yangbi Yi Autonomous County
Established in 1985
Surface: 1.800 km2
Population (1983): 87.000 inhabitants. Of them 33.000 are Yi.
Luquan Yi and Miao Autonomous County
Established in 1985
Surface: 4.200 km2
Population (1985): 397.000 inhabitants. Of them 90.000 are Yi (Minqi anf Gebo branches) and 10.000 are Miao.

Puer Hani and Yi Autonomous County
Established in 1985
Surface: 3.600 km2
Population (1985): 180.000 inhabitants. Of them 40.000 are Hani and 30.000 Yi, mainly Gaisu and Lami branches.

Jindong Yi Autonomous County
Established in 1985
Surface: 4.500 km2
Population (1983): 320.000 inhabitants. Of them 120.000 are Yi, mainly Lami and Gaisu branches.

Jinggu Dai and Yi Autonomous County
Established in 1985
Surface: 7.500 km2
Population (1983): 360.000 inhabitants. Of them 51.000 are Yi (Lami and Gaisu) and 49.000 Dai.

Zhenyuan Yi, Hani and Lahu Autonomous County
Established in 1990
Surface: 4.000 km2
Population (1983): 200.000 inhabitants. Of them 50.000 are Yi (Laluo and Awu), 22.000 Hani and 13.000 Lahu.

In Guizhou Province

Weining Yi, Hui and Miao Autonomous County
Established in 1954
Surface: 6.193 km2
Population (1983): 760.000 inhabitants. Of them 73.000 are Yi, 57.000 Hui and 49.000 Miao.