Pingtan County


Pingtan County is a county comprising 126 islands in the Taiwan Strait, it is under the administration of the prefecture-level city of Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian Province, China. Now it is also the subject of newly founded Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone. The main island is Haitan Island.

History

During the Qing Dynasty, Pingtan Ting was created. In 1913, Pingtan County was established.
On September 27–28, 2016, Typhoon Megi brought torrential rains across Pingtan. Bus lines resumed normal operations on September 29.

Geography

Pingtan County has a total land area of, comprising 126 islands, and covers of sea. The main island, Haitan Island, covers an area of, or 72% of the county's land area, and is the largest island in all of Fujian. Niushan Island is located in the eastern part of the county. To the east is the Taiwan Strait. The area is the closest place in mainland China to the main island of Taiwan.

Climate

Pingtan, by virtue of its maritime location, has a moderated climate, with high humidity and minimal diurnal temperature variation. Under the Köppen climate classification, it has a humid subtropical climate, with mild winters and hot, humid summers, though much cooler than inland places. The monthly daily average temperature ranges from in February to in July. The bulk of the rainfall annually occurs in spring and early summer, while autumn and early winter is the driest time of the year. The area experiences windy weather, with an average wind speed of, and wind directions are consistent. Freezing temperatures have never been recorded here.

Administrative divisions

The county executive, legislature and judiciary is in Tancheng Town, colloquially called Pingtan, together with the CPC and PSB branches. The county administers 7 towns and 8 townships, accounting for 200 neighbourhood and village committees.

Towns

Agricultural products include sweet potatoes and peanuts among others. To the east of the county is the Niushan fishery which produces yellow fish and cutlassfish in abundance among others. Tangyu zicai is a local speciality. Mineral resources include coal, iron, and quartz. Industries include mining, salt making, fishery processing, seafood processing, machinery, and shipbuilding. Handicrafts include scrimshaw.