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Pingdingshan

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Pingdingshan is a prefecture-level city located in central Henan province, China. The city's name translates to "mountain with a flat top." This name describes a nearby plateau that has a very flat surface. People also call the city "Eagle City." This nickname dates back two thousand years to the Spring and Autumn Annals period. A royal leader named Ying once lived in this region. In the Chinese language, the name "Ying" sounds exactly like the word for eagle.

The geography of the city features diverse landscapes and water sources. The Funiu Mountains run through the western portion of the city. In contrast, the eastern part of the city sits on the North China Plains. The area is very well-watered with over 30 rivers flowing through it. There are also 163 lakes and reservoirs located throughout the region. Mount Yao is a prominent mountain found within the city limits.

Administratively, the city manages several different types of divisions. It oversees 4 districts, 2 county-level cities, and 4 counties. These include areas like Xinhua District, Ruzhou City, and Lushan County. The population is quite large and diverse. As of 2020, the permanent population was about 4,987,100 people. This population includes 48 different recognized ethnic minority groups. The Hui people are the largest minority group with 62,040 members. Other groups include Manchus and Mongols.

The economy of Pingdingshan has changed significantly in the 21st century. The gross domestic product, or GDP, grew very quickly during this time. It rose from 112.781 billion renminbi (RMB) in 2009 to 245.584 billion RMB in 2020. The city is part of a group called CHAMPS. This group includes top emerging cities in China. The economy relies mostly on the secondary and tertiary sectors. The secondary sector includes manufacturing and industry. The tertiary sector includes services like business and tourism.

Natural resources are a vital part of the city's identity. Pingdingshan contains one of the largest coal fields in China. It is often called "the coal storage of the central area of China." The city holds about 10 billion tons of coal reserves. It also has 230 billion tons of salt reserves. This is the second largest salt reserve in China. The city is also a major center for limestone and cement production. However, coal production has declined recently due to mine depletion and environmental regulations.

Tourism provides many opportunities for visitors to explore the region. Thrush Valley is a major scenic spot named after local birds. It contains attractions like Cuckoo Lake. Mount Yao is another highly rated scenic area. This mountain is home to the Spring Temple Buddha. This is the second largest statue in the world. The city also features the Qizu Pagoda and the Pingdingshan Museum.

Social and religious life is also well-established in the city. There are many different types of religious organizations. These include Buddhist, Taoist, Islamic, Catholic, and Protestant groups. The city has 78 Buddhist temples and 100 Taoist temples. There are also 70 mosques, 2 Catholic churches, and 104 Protestant churches. Education is also a major part of the community. The city hosts several high schools and higher education institutions like Pingdingshan University.

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