Sichuan (Chinese: 四川; pinyin:  Sìchuān, known formerly in the West by its postal map romanization of Szechwan or the alternative romanisation Szechuan) is a province in southwest China. The name of the province is an abbreviation of Sì Chuānlù (四川路), or "Four circuits of rivers", which is itself abbreviated from Chuānxiá Sìlù (川峡四路), or "Four circuits of rivers and gorges", named after the division of the existing circuit into four during the Northern Song dynasty.