Hubei

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features of both continental and monsoon climates, with all four seasons being very well defined. Winters are short and cold, summers hot and moist. The average temperature is 4°C (39°F) in January and 30°C (86°F) in July. The provincial capital of Wuhan ranks with Tschungking and Nanjing as one of the hottest cities in China, with temperatures in summer often rising above 40°C (104°F). Rainfall (600-700mm/23-28in.) occurs mainly in spring and at the beginning of summer.

During the Zhou dynasty (11th C-221 BC) Hubei belonged to the kingdom of Chu. Then it was incorporated into the empire of China by the Qin-Emperor Shi Huangdi (reigned 221-210 BC). Because of its position on the Changjiang the area attained considerable importance. In 1644 the province of Hubei was formed. Since 1860 certain towns in the province have been open for trade to the western powers. Wuhan was the starting-point of the revolution of 1911, which led to the downfall of the Qing dynasty.

The iron and steel combines of Wuhan and Huangshi were established as a result of the discovery of extensive iron deposits. In addition gypsum quarrying and copper and phosphate mining are all important. Industries of note include machine construction, shipbuilding and chemicals.

Hubei is one of the most important rice-producing (wet rice cultivation) areas in China. Other key crops are cotton, tea (in the mountain areas), wheat, maize, soya beans, sesame and fruit. The many lakes support both fishing and fish-farming.