One-dimensional nanostructures of SnO2 with a ribbonlike morphology have been prepared in large scale via rapid oxidation of elemental tin at 1080 degreesC. The products were characterized with scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Raman scattering, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The as-synthesized SnO2 nanoribbons appeared to be single crystals and had preferred [110] and [203] growth directions. The lengths of the nanoribbons were up to several hundreds of micrometers, and the typical width and thickness were in the range of 30-150 ran and 10-30 nm, respectively. The strong photoluminescence of the nanoribbons in the visible region suggested possible applications in nanoscaled optoelectronic devices. A possible growth mechanism for the SnO2 nanoribbons was proposed.