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Qingyang is a prefecture-level city in China's Gansu province.
Geography and climate
Qingyang is in eastern Gansu province and is sometimes referred to in Chinese as "Longdong" . Ningxia province is to the north west and Shaanxi is to the east. It is in the lower middle part of the Yellow River on the loess plateau and is within the eastern Gansu basin. Elevation ranges from 885 to 2082 meters above sea-level. There are 5 major rivers in Qingyang including the Malian, Pu, Hong, Xilang, and Hulu or "Gourd". Their combined annual flow is more than 800 million cubic meters.
Average temperatures for most Qingyang range between 7 to 10 °C. Annual precipitation is 480 to 660 mm and there are between 140~180 frost free days.
The area is 27,119 km2 with 200 square kilometres of forest and 530 square kilometres of grassland.
History
Qingyang was part of the area where the earliest cultures along the Yellow River developed and was part of the heartland of the Qin state that would eventually unite China. It was also an important place in the communist revolution.
Administration
Longnan has 1 urban district, 7 counties, and 146 towns with a total population of 2,548,000, only 310,000 of which are urban residents.
City Districts:
* Xifeng
Counties:
* Qingcheng
* Zhenyuan
* Heshui
* Huachi
* Huan County
* Ding County
* Zhengning
Economy
In 2004 Qingyang's GDP was 8.014 Billion RMB, 11.6% growth over the previous year. Average annual urban income was 5130 RMB, rural was 1428 RMB. Petroleum and natural gas are the backbone of Qingyang's economy. Agricultural products include donkeys, Huan County sheep, cattle, Jin jujubes, milk, apricots and other fruits, vegetables, and berries. 69 different kinds of Chinese medicinal plants and herbs are collected or grown here, 25 of which are exported.
Culture
Qingyang is famous for its rich folk culture. Traditional Chinese art forms such as shadow puppet theater, paper cuts, folk music, and songs are still part of Qingyang's culture.
