In 1997 when Sichuan split , the sum of the two parts was recorded to be 114,720,000 people . As of 2010 , Sichuan ranks as both the 3rd largest and 4th most populous province in China . In May 2008 , an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.9 / 8.0 hit just northwest of the provincial capital of Chengdu . Official figures recorded a death toll of nearly 70,000 people , and millions of people were left homeless
an earthquake
2008 Sichuan earthquake
Sichuan