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Ma'anshan

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Ma'anshan is a prefecture-level city in eastern Anhui province, China. It is a vital industrial hub located within the Yangtze River Delta Economic Zone. The city stretches across the Yangtze River, a major waterway in the region. It serves as a satellite city for the nearby Nanjing metropolitan area. Geographically, Ma'anshan is positioned near several important cities. It borders Hefei to the west and Wuhu to the southwest. To the east, it sits next to Nanjing. This location allows it to connect with many different economic regions.

The city's name, Ma'anshan, translates to "Horse Saddle Mountain." This name is rooted in an ancient legend involving the Western Chu hegemon, Xiang Yu. The story says that while fleeing the Battle of Gaixia, Xiang Yu died in this area. His horse was so heartbroken that it leaped into the river and drowned. To honor the animal, a boatman buried the horse's saddle on a local hill. This act gave the mountain and the city its unique name. This legend connects the modern city to China's deep historical roots.

Ma'anshan has a long history of resource extraction and heavy industry. For a long time, the south bank of the Yangtze River served as a mining area. The arrival of a railroad and the opening of the Huai-nan coalfield in the 1930s changed everything. These developments allowed for the establishment of iron and steel works in 1938. Although these industries were destroyed during the Second World War, they were restored by 1953. The city grew rapidly under the country's first and second Five-Year Plans. Today, the steel industry, known as MaGang, remains a primary employer.

The city's administration is organized into six county-level divisions. These include three districts: Yushan, Huashan, and Bowang. It also manages three counties: Dangtu, He, and Hanshan. The administrative structure has changed over time through mergers and splits. For example, in 2012, Jinjiazhuang District was merged into Huashan District. Additionally, part of Dangtu County was split to create the Bowang District. This organization helps manage the growing urban and rural populations.

Ma'anshan is a significant economic player in Anhui province. As of the 2020 census, the city had 2,159,930 inhabitants. A large portion of these people live in the built-up metro area. This area includes the Huashan and Yushan urban districts and Dangtu County. Interestingly, Ma'anshan is becoming part of a massive conurbation with Nanjing. Together, their combined built-up area reaches 8,419,252 inhabitants. Within the province, Ma'anshan ranks fourth in GDP, following Hefei, Anqing, and Wuhu. Its GDP per capita of US$7,118 is the highest in Anhui province.

The climate of Ma'anshan is a northern subtropical humid monsoon climate. This means the city experiences four distinct seasons and obvious monsoons. The weather is generally warm and humid, often featuring rain and heat in the same season. Frequent showers occur during the months of July and August. Despite its industrial history, the city is recognized as one of the "Ten Green Cities of China." Local environmental policies have helped keep it less polluted than other steelmaking cities. The mild climate is perfect for the city's official flower, the sweet-scented osmanthus.

Culture and tourism are also central to the identity of Ma'anshan. The city is famously linked to the poet Li Bai. Legend says he drowned near Ma'anshan while trying to embrace a moon reflection. Visitors can see a memorial dedicated to him. The city also hosts the Caishi scenic area, a national tourism spot. This area features natural and cultural attractions like Caishi Rock. For sports fans, the Ma'anshan Sports Centre Stadium can hold 36,542 people. The city also celebrates its literary history through events like China's first poetry festival.

Transportation networks make Ma'anshan a highly connected location. The city features a deep-water river port on the Yangtze River. This port allows for fast and inexpensive shipping to the East coast and inner cities. For air travel, residents use the Nanjing Lukou International Airport. Road connections are also strong, with highways linking the city to Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Ningbo. A major bridge, the Ma'anshan Yangtze River Bridge, opened in 2013. This bridge provides direct road access to cities in northern Anhui. Future plans even include extending the Nanjing Metro to connect the two cities.

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