Anhui

Anhui is an inland province located in East China. It serves as a vital part of the Yangtze River Delta Economic Area. This region is one of the most developed parts of China. The province's capital and largest city is Hefei.

Anhui is a large and populous region. It has 61 million residents, making it the 9th most populous province in the country. While it is the 22nd largest province by area, it is the 12th most densely populated.

The geography of Anhui is highly diverse. The northern part of the province sits on the North China Plain. This area is flat and includes the Huai River watershed. In the north-central region, the land remains flat and is heavily populated. As you travel south, the landscape changes significantly. The Dabie Mountains occupy much of the southwestern area. In the southeast, hills and mountain ranges cut through the land. The Yangtze River flows through these southern regions. The highest point in Anhui is Lotus Peak. This peak is part of the Huangshan mountain range.

Climate patterns also shift from north to south. The north has a more temperate climate with distinct seasons. In January, temperatures north of the Huai River average between −1 and 2 °C. South of the river, they average between 0 and 3 °C. In July, temperatures often average 27 °C or higher. June and July often bring plum rains. These rains can lead to flooding in the region. The province contains many water features. The largest is Lake Chaohu, located in the center.

Anhui has a history spanning thousands of years. Archaeological findings in Fanchang County show humans lived here 20,000 years ago. In 2013, researchers found the Nanchengzi Ruins in Guzhen County. This was a 4,500-year-old Neolithic city. It featured a city wall and a moat.

The province's name comes from two cities: Anqing and Huizhou. It also has the nickname "Wan." This name refers to a small state from the Spring and Autumn period. During the Qing dynasty, Anhui and Jiangsu were merged into one province. This lasted until 1666 under the Kangxi Emperor.

The 20th century brought both change and hardship. During the later Qing dynasty, the province was part of the Self-Strengthening Movement. This era introduced western weapons and factories to China. Later, Anhui became a center for liberal thought. Famous figures like the poet Hu Shih lived there. However, the province suffered greatly during the Second Sino-Japanese War. In 1938, a dam on the Yellow River was demolished. This caused massive flooding in north and central Anhui. The disaster killed between 500,000 and 900,000 people.

Following the war, Anhui underwent major structural changes. The capital moved to Hefei after 1945. The government invested heavily in developing the city. During the Third Front campaign, Anhui became a manufacturing base. It produced anti-aircraft and anti-tank weaponry. This was done to protect industries in case of an invasion. By the late 1990s, Anhui became one of China's fastest-growing provinces. Today, the provincial government manages 16 cities and 62 counties.

Anhui is also home to unique and endangered species. The Chinese alligator is a critically endangered crocodilian. It is also known as the Yangtze alligator. Another rare resident is the Anhui elm. This deciduous tree grows in the Langya mountains. In 2009, only about 30 of these trees remained in the wild.

The province's ecology is closely tied to its river valleys. This connection between nature and human history makes Anhui a complex region.