Anhui has a complex topography. With Yangtze River and Huaihe River running through the province from west to east, Anhui is divided into three regions, including Huaibei (North of Huaihe), Jianghuai (Between Yangtze and Huaihe), and Jiangnan (South of Yangtze). The North of Huaihe River, as part of the North China Plain, is a vast expanse of flatland. The middle area between the Yangtze River and the Huaihe River is a chain of undulating hills. The lands by the two sides of the Yangtze River and around the Chaohu Lake are low and flat, belonging to the well-known Middle-Lower Yangtze River Plain. The south is mainly covered by hills.

Generally, the province can be divided into five topographical zones: plain north of Huaihe River, hilly land between the Huaihe and Yangtze, Dabieshan mountainous area of West Anhui, plains along the Yangtze River and the hilly area in southern Anhui. Located in the transition region of the warm-temperate zone and subtropical zone, the climate of Anhui is warm and humid with distinctive seasons. The province’s annual rainfall differs greatly and its weather is very changeful, with frequent spring droughts and summer floods.

Climate:

The annual average temperature of Anhui is between 14°C to 17°C centigrade. The average annual sunshine hours are 1,800-2,500. The average frost-free period is 200 to 250 days. The annual average rainfalls are 800 to 1,800 millimeters.

Natural resources:

Covering a total area of 4.33-million-hectare fertile farmland, Anhui is suitable for the growth of various crops.

The total water reserve of Anhui is about 68 billion cube meters. Bishihang Irrigation Project and Simashan Diversion and Irrigation Project are two key irrigation projects of the province.

The land for forestry is 41,800 square kilometers, accounting for 12 percent of the total land of the province. Anhui is rich in plants and animals. It has a total of 1,300 woody plants and 2,100 more herbaceous plants. Among its more than 500 species of animals, 54 are listed as rare ones under state protection, including the Yangtze alligator and white-fin dolphin.

Anhui has a rich mineral resource, which is great in variety and concentrated in distribution. Among the 130 discovered minerals, 67 have had their reserves proved, 49 have been exploited, and 38 rank among the first 10 in the country in terms of reserve. According to the calculation based on the fixed price in 1990, the potential value of the province’s mineral reserves reach 1,920 billion yuan, ranking the tenth in China. Among them, the reserves and potential values of 11 minerals, including coal, iron, copper, sulphur and alum stone, rank among the top ones in eastern China and even in the country.