Hechi

Hechi () is a prefecture-level city in the northwest of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China, bordering Guizhou to the north. In June 2002 it gained city status.

Geography and climate

Hechi is located in northwestern Guangxi on the southern end of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. The total area is , with elevations increasing from southeast to northwest. It is very mountainous with ranges including in the north the Jiuwanda Mountains, in the northwest the Phoenix Mountains, in the east the Fengling Mountains, in the west, the Duyang Mountains, and in the southwest the Green Dragon Mountains. The tallest mountain is "Nameless Peak" with an elevation of . Bordering prefecture-level divisions are Liuzhou to the east, Laibin to the southeast, Nanning to the south, and Baise to the southwest in Guangxi and Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou to the north.

Hechi has a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate ( Köppen ''Cwa'') and is generally overcast. The short and mild winters begin dry but become progressively rainier and cloudier. Early spring is the cloudiest time of year, though the monsoonal rains do not arrive until May. Summer is long, hot, and humid, and is the sunniest season. Autumn is warmer and drier than spring. The monthly 24-hour average temperature ranges from in January to in July, and the annual mean is . Annual rainfall averages around , over 65% of which falls from May to August. With monthly percent possible sunshine ranging from 15% in February and March to 43% in August, the city receives 1,259 hours of bright sunshine annually.

Administration

Hechi has 2 urban district, 4 counties, and 5 autonomous counties.

District:
* Jinchengjiang District ()
* Yizhou District ()

Counties:
* Nandan County ()
* Tian'e County ()
* Fengshan County ()
* Donglan County ()

Autonomous counties:
* Bama Yao Autonomous County ()
* Du'an Yao Autonomous County ()
* Dahua Yao Autonomous County ()
* Luocheng Mulao Autonomous County ()
* Huanjiang Maonan Autonomous County ()

Demographics

In 2010 Hechi's population was 3,991,900. 83.89%(2,826,400) of the people belong to the national minority. Ethnic groups include Zhuang, Han, Yao, Mulao, Maonan, Miao, Dong, and Shui. In these ethnic groups, Zhuang population was 2,542,852(63.7%), Yao was 365,910(9.16%).It is home to Guangxi's largest national minority population.

* ''These figures are based on the following official statistics:''

Economy

Minerals

Hechi is one of Guangxi's most important mineral producers. All of Hechi's counties have large quantities of high quality mineral resources. They include but are not limited to tin, antimony, gold, zinc, indium, copper, iron, silver, manganese, and arsenic. It is a major source of gold for both China and the global market. Limestone and marble are also produced.

Water

Due to Hechi's tropical wet climate, water power is also a major resource. Each year, more than of water flows through Hechi; 13% of all of Guangxi's water. There are more than 630 streams, creeks, and rivers with a combined length of more than . Hydropwer facilities on these rivers produce more than 10 gigawatts of electricity; half of Guangxi's hydropower energy.

Agriculture

Hechi's climate, weather, and soil make it a major agricultural center. More than 400 types of crops including oranges, pineapple, corn, lotus root, casava, sugarcane, tobacco, vegetables, melons, mulberry, mushrooms and more than 100 different kinds of rice are grown here. Sugarcane is a major crop with more than 220,000 tons of refined sugar produced each year from of cane. Oil plants such as peanuts, sesame, and grape are also important.

Fruit make up a significant portion of Hechi's agriculture. There are more than 200 kinds of fruit found here. 120,000 tons of fruit are grown annually on more than of land.

Forestry

Forest products are another important industry. Hechi has more than of forest. More than 200 species of wild plants can be used in Chinese medicine.

Flora and fauna

Due to its tropical wet climate, Hechi has an amazing level of biodiversity. There are more than 1800 species of plants, 150 species of trees, 700 species of insects, 50 species of fish, and 60 species of land animals, many of which are rare and protected. Animals such as langurs, pangolins, and wild cats can be found in Hechi's forested mountains.

Transportation

Air

* Hechi Jinchengjiang Airport

Rail

* Hechi Railway Station, part of the Guizhou–Guangxi Railway

References

External links

Official Website

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Cities in Guangxi
Prefecture-level divisions of Guangxi