With an average altitude of more than 4,000 meters above sea level, the region has a population of 3.64 million. Its GDP exceeded 213 billion yuan last year and the per capita disposable income of urban and rural residents reached 48,753 yuan and 18,209 yuan last year, respectively.
Since 1994, the central government has been implementing a special aid program for Tibet to help boost the region's social and economic development.