Brief Introduction of Hainan Province


** Geography and Natural Conditions
Hainan Province lies at the southernmost tip of China, facing Guangdong in the north across the Qiongzhou Strait, Vietnam in the west across the Beibu Gulf (Gulf of Tonkin), and Taiwan Province in the east across the South China Sea. To the south and southeast, it is bounded in the South China Sea by the Philippines, Brunei and Malaysia. Encompassing Hainan Island, Xisha Archipelago, Zhongsha Archipelago and Nansha Archipelago as well as their dependent waters, Hainan covers a land area of 35,000 sq km and a sea area of approximately 2 million sq km. Hainan Island is China's second largest island after Taiwan, with an area of 33,900 sq km (not including its satellite islets). At the end of 2005, the total population stood at 8.28 million.
Zengmu Shoal of Nansha Archipelago is the southernmost part of Chinese territory.
With Mt Wuzhi (Five Fingers) and Mt Yingge (Parrot) standing at its very heart, Hainan Island has a staircase-like topographic structure descending step by step from towering mountains to flat tablelands and plains at its periphery. These mountains mostly fall into three mountain ranges. Most rivers on the island originated from the central mountainous area, forming a radiating river system. The inland has 154 streams flowing directly into the sea. The total drainage area covered by the three major rivers of Nandu, Changhua and Wanquan accounts for 47% of the island's territory.
** Climate
A tropical maritime climate prevails in Hainan, bringing it all-year-round windy but warm days, abundant rainfall, clearly divided dry and wet seasons, frequent tropical storms and typhoons, as well as diversified climatic resources. Winterless Hainan Island has an annual sunshine time of 1,750 to 2,650 hours, a yearly average temperature of 73.4F to 77F, and an average annual rainfall of above 1,600 mm. The wet central part and east coast of Hainan receive more rainfall than the semi-dry southwest coast and other semi-wet areas. Winter and spring are usually dry while summer and autumn produce the wettest seasons.
** Tourism
Distinctive tourism resources abound in Hainan. Sandy coasts take about 50% to 60% of its 1,528-kilometer coastline. The beaches are usually hundreds of or thousands of meters wide, stretching gently into the sea with a slope of five degrees. Located alongside an unruffled sea, with crystal-clear seawater at the temperatures between 64.4F and 86F, plus bright and abundant sunlight, most of its beaches are good for swimming, sunbath, sand-bath and wind-bath almost all year round. Under the cool shade of the trees, the air is very refreshing too. Over 60 spots dispersed along the eastern coastline between Haikou and Sanya can be developed to bathing beaches. In addition, lie along the eastern coastline are mangroves and coral reefs that are unique to tropical coastal areas.
Hainan is noted for its singularly shaped mountains, of which many are tourist attractions and summer resorts. To protect rare birds and animals, several wildlife reserves and domesticating fields have been established in Hainan.
Hainan Island is densely crossed by limpid rivers. Winding streams, deep pools, fantastic waterfalls and mirror-like reservoirs dotted in the mountains and virgin forests add beauty to the landscapes and attract tourists.
Hainan is the home of the Li Nationality as well as many other ethnic groups who still hold to their unsophisticated folk customs and unique living habits, which have made the island even more valuable in culture and tourism.