China's Provinces in Brief: Hunan

Hunan (湖南): Located in south-central China in the middle and lower sections of the Yangtze River, subtropical Hunan is known for its natural beauty and spicy food, and its many lakes - including Dongting Lake, the second largest freshwater lake in China. The name of the province even has origins in Dongting Lake, Hunan literally means "south of the lake". Hunan is also home to many ethnic minority groups.

Size: 81,776 square miles (211,800 sq km).

Population: 68.1 million in 2007.

Major Cities: Changsha (capital), Hengyang, Changde, Xiangtan, Yueyang, Zhuzhou.

Economy: 2008 GDP: 1.1 trillion yuan ($163 billion).

Major Crops/Industry Rice, tea, citrus fruit, tobacco, fishery, timber, tungsten, antimony, zinc, manufacturing.

Historical Note: Hunan has been populated for thousands of years, and its administrative regions have been documented in the first dynasties of China. The legendary tale of Quyuan, also originates in Hunan. Quyuan, a poet, is said to have committed suicide by throwing himself into the Miluo River. It was the searches for his body that began the traditional Dragon Boat Festival. Many famous Chinese leaders were also born in Hunan, including Chairman Mao Zedong. Other leaders who call Hunan home are Liu Shaoqi, Hu Yaobang, and Zhu Rongji.

Official Chinese Website: http://www.hunan.gov.cn/