Abstract: The research on spatial heterogeneity of soil nutrients is considered to be an important topic in utilizing and managing soil resources properly. Based on a 1:50000 soil database, spatial heterogeneity of soil nutrients (including total N, total P, available P and available K) at the surface layer (0-20cm) and their affecting factors in the northern Jiangsu Province were analyzed. The results showed that soil total N in the northeastern Lianyungang County, southern Huai’an County and western Yancheng County were significant higher than those in other areas; the total P content tended to increase gradually from north to south and from west to east; the highest available P content was found in the northern Guanyun County and southern Jinghu County; the available K content in the eastern coastal region was significant higher than those in other areas. Soil properties were significantly affected by soil type and parent material. In terms of soil group, bog soils and paddy soils had high nutrient contents. With regard to parent material, nutrient contents were higher in soils developed from lacustrine deposit than those from other parent materials. It was concluded that, at the scale of 1:50000, soil type was the dominant factor for total N and total P, and parent material was a key factor for available P, while soil type and parent material had a little influence on available K, soil type and parent material had stronger impacts on total nutrients than available nutrients.