Anhui (or Anhwei) is located in east-central China. With the mighty Yangtze and Huai rivers flowing from West to East through its borders it has been a major agricultural producer for many centuries. The rivers also give this province it's natural beauty, making it one of the top tourist attractions in Sourtheastern China.
This region has the two most beautiful mountain ranges in the country: the Huangshan mountains with its beautiful lakes, unique rock formations, pine trees and hot springs and the Jinhua mountain range with its monasteries and pilgrimage destinations.
The province has an estimated area of about 139,400 square kilometers (53 823 sq miles) making it one of China's smallest provinces. The provinces of Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Henan, Hubei and Shandong are its neighbors. The city of Hefei, with a rich history of 2000 years, is its capital city.
Since this province is located between a temperate and subtropical zone, it experiences a moist and warm climate. The area towards the north of the Huai River has a semi-moist monsoon climate. The southern areas experience a moist monsoon climate.
Annual average temperature: 14º C - 17º C (57.2ºF - 62.6º F)
Average sunshine: 1800 - 2500 hours
Average frost-free period: 200 - 250 days
Average rainfall: 800 - 1800 mm per year (31.5" - 70.9")
More than 59 million people reside in the province of Anhui with the majority of the population belonging to the Han Chinese community. People from the Hui and She communities form the largest minorities.
The economic output of this province makes it a mid-size economy. In 2008, it had a nominal GDP of about 887.4 billion Yuan and a per capita of approximately 14,485 Yuan.
Wheat and sweet potatoes are cultivated in the northern parts of the Huai River and rice is cultivated in the southern parts.
Anhui has deposits of coal in Huainan, iron in Ma'anshan and copper in Tongling.
