Hainan  Island

Location: End of South China (between the 21st and 4th parallels north Lat). It is on the same latitude as Hawaii and southern Cuba. See the map.

Main City: Haikou, Sanya

Area: 34,000 square kilometers

Population: 7,010,000 consists of 10 nationalities (such as Han, Li, Miao, Hui, etc.)

Coastline: 1,584.8 kilometers

Climates: Tropical marine monsoon with plenty of sunshine, moderate rainfall without winter.

Temperature: Annual average 22.9'C whereas 20'C in winter. The hottest month is August, with a 29.5' average.

Tourist Spots: Yalong Bay (No.1 Bay in the World), Tianya-Haijiao (Corner of the Earth), Dadong Sea, Luhuitou (Turn-round Deer), Sanya Bay, Xiao Tongtian, Folk Village, etc.

Mountains: Wuzhi Mountains and Limu Mountains, their main peaks are 1,867 and 1,412 meters above sea level respectively.

Physical Features: Hainan Island, also known as Qiong, is the second largest island in China with an area of 34,000 square kilometers. The parallel Wuzhi and Limu Mountains dominate the central area, taking up one third of the whole island. Lowlands surround the mountains except on the southern coast, where precipices meet the South China Sea. The Qiongzhou Strait separates the Hainan Island from the mainland. Over 20 kilometers wide, the Qiongzhou Strait connects the Beibu Bay to the islands, shoals, rocks, reefs, and shallows in the South China Sea. They are divided into four groups: Dongsha in the north; Xisha in the west; Zhongsha in the center, including Huangyan Island; and Nansha in the south, ending at the Zengmu Reef. The territory stretches 1,800 kilometers from north to south and over 900 kilometers from east to west.

History: Hainan Island has a long history tracing back to 6,000 years ago. The original native in Hainan is believed to be Li nationality. Han nationality moved in gradually from Han Dynasty onwards. Hainan first became part of China in "Spring and Autumn" Period at 200 B.C. Emperor Hanwuti established two administrative centers in Hainan after conquering the southern part of China in 110 B.C. During Tang Dynasty, additional administrative centers were established, and later Dynasties of  Sung, Yuan, Ming and Qing, also set up various government offices for the administration of Hainan. Nowadays, Hainan is one of China's special economic zones, encouraging foreign investment, trade, and tourism.

Products: Hainan is the largest tropical treasure-house in China with exotic tropical virgin forests, rare animals and plants, varied tropical fruits and rich aquatic and underground mineral resources. Xisha and its neighboring areas are a rich fishing ground. The island are a haven for birds, whose abundant droppings are collected for natural fertilizer.

Neighboring Countries: Philippines in the east, Malaysia and Brunei in the south, Indonesia in the southwest, and Vietnam in the west.