Brief Introduction To Anhui Province

    Geographic location: Anhui Province, also called ¡°Wan¡± for short, is located in the southeast of China. The province extends about 570 kilometers from north to south, and 450 kilometers from west to east, covering a total area of 139,600 square kilometers, accounting for 1.45 percent of the country¡¯s land. Anhui has 1,850 townships.

    Climate: The annual average temperature of Anhui is between 14¡ãC to 17¡ãC centigrade. The average annual sunshine hours are 1,800-2,500. The average frost-free period is 200 to 250 days. The annual average rainfalls are 800 to 1,800 millimeters. 
   
    Provincial capital: Hefei

    Population: 59.86 millions (March 2001)

    Ethnic groups: Han, Hui, and She

    Major Cities: Huangshan; Bengbu; Tongling; Ma'anshan

Mount Huangshan

    Tourism: Anhui has abundant tourism resources, featuring many well-known natural scenic spots well-preserved cultural relics. Currently, there are five state-level scenic areas, including Mount Huangshan, Mount Jiuhua, Mount Tianzhu, Mount Langya and Mount Qiyun, three national nature reserves, 23 national forest parks and three state-level historical and cultural cities in Haozhou, Shouxian and Yixian counties. Spots of historical interest under state protection include: Ruins of Zhongdu and the Ming Emperor Tomb in Fengyang, the Site of Hexian Man, the Xuguo Arch Gate in Yixian, and the Huaxi Theatre in Bozhou. In 1999, Mount Huangshan won the International Award for Protection and Management of Cultural Scenic Spots and Mount Jiuhua was named a national model scenic spot by the Ministry of Construction. Previously, in 1998, Hefei, Huangshan, Bozhou were in the first group of Chinese cities to be awarded as excellent tourism cities.

    Agriculture: Benefitting from the mild climate, Anhui Province is rich with agricultural resources and products, and possesses 64 million mu of farmland, 62 million mu of forest land and 8 million mu of aquatic farm. Many Anhui's agruicultural products are famous both at home and abroad including: grapes, pears, pomegranates, green tea(Huang Shan), black tea (Keemum), crab, bull, Fuyang yellow cow, Dingyuan pig, silver fish (Chaohu lake) and white goose of Luan.

    Industry: The major provincial minerals are coal and iron. The coal field extends from Guzhen in the east to Yingshang in the west and from Huainan in the south to Xisoxian in the north. This is a vast area and its reserves come out first in East China.