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Fang County

County in Hubei, People's Republic of China

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Fang County or Fangxian (simplified Chinese: ; traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: Fáng Xiàn) is a county of northwestern Hubei province, People's Republic of China. It is under the administration of Shiyan City.

The county spans an area of 5,110 square kilometres (1,970 mi2), and has a population of 390,991 as of 2010.

01History

During the Spring and Autumn period, the region was known as Fangzhu (Chinese: 防渚; pinyin: Fángzhǔ).

During the Warring States period, the area belonged to the State of Chu.

The area was incorporated as Fangling County (simplified Chinese: 房陵县; traditional Chinese: 房陵縣; pinyin: Fánglíng Xiàn) during the Qin dynasty, where it belonged to the Hanzhong Commandery.

In 636 CE, the area of present-day Fang County was organized as Fang Prefecture.

In 1277, Fang Prefecture was changed to Fang County, which it has remained since. It was placed under the jurisdiction of Xiangyang Fu.

In 1476, Xiangyang Fu was changed to Yunyang Fu.

Republic of China

Upon the establishment of the Republic of China, the area was placed under the jurisdiction of Xiangyang Circuit.

In 1931, the area was re-organized as the 11th Administrative Inspectorate of Hubei Province. In 1936, it was changed to be under the 8th Administrative Inspectorate of Hubei Province.

People's Republic of China

In 1949, upon the establishment of the People's Republic of China, the area was administered under the Liangyun Prefecture.

The area was moved to the jurisdiction of the Yunyang Prefecture in 1965.

In 1994, the county was moved to the jurisdiction of the newly-formed prefecture-level city of Shiyan.

02Geography

The Wudang Mountains run through the northern part of Fang County, and the Daba Mountains run through its southern part.

The lowest part of the county is Jiangjiapo (Chinese: 姜家坡), in Damuchang, which stands 180 metres (590 ft) above sea level. The highest part of the county is Guanjiaya (Chinese: 关家垭), in Shangkan Township, which stands 2,485.6 metres (8,155 ft) above sea level.

03Administrative divisions

Fang County administers 12 towns and 8 townships.

Township-level divisions of Fang County
Name Hanzi Pinyin Division type Population (2010)
Chengguan 城关镇 Chéngguān Zhèn Town 89,898
Jundian 军店镇 Jūndiàn Zhèn Town 32,346
Hualongyan 化龙堰镇 Huàlóngyàn Zhèn Town 20,163
Tucheng 土城镇 Tǔchéng Zhèn Town 16,404
Damuchang 大木厂镇 Dàmùchǎng Zhèn Town 26,828
Qingfeng 青峰镇 Qīngfēng Zhèn Town 27,231
Mengusi 门古寺镇 Méngǔsì Zhèn Town 26,488
Baihe 白鹤镇 (房县) Báihè Zhèn Town 28,435
Yerengu 野人谷镇 Yěréngǔ Zhèn Town 9,638
Hongta 红塔镇 Hóngtǎ Zhèn Town 31,367
Yaohuai 窑淮镇 Yáohuái Zhèn Town 10,763
Yinjifu 尹吉甫镇 Yǐnjífǔ Zhèn Town 7,261
Yaoping Township 姚坪乡 Yáopíng Xiāng Township 13,008
Shahe Township 沙河乡 Shāhé Xiāng Township 7,197
Wanyuhe Township 万峪河乡 Wànyùhé Xiāng Township 6,917
Shangkan Township 上龛乡 Shàngkān Xiāng Township 8,712
Zhongba Township 中坝乡 Zhōngbà Xiāng Township 7,130
Jiudao Township 九道乡 Jiǔdào Xiāng Township 8,675
Huilong Township 回龙乡 Huílóng Xiāng Township 3,022
Wutai Township 五台乡 Wǔtái Xiāng Township 3,268

Former divisions

In March 2012, Langkou Township (Chinese: 榔口乡; pinyin: Lángkǒu Xiāng) was abolished, and merged into the town of Yinjifu.

04Economy

Mineral deposits in the county include copper, iron, lead, zinc, phosphorus, sulfur, coal, and gypsum.

A number of large caves in Fang County also serve as tourist attractions.

05Transport

National Highway 209 runs through the county.

Watch videos about Fang CountyExplainers and documentaries on YouTube (opens in a new tab)

Sources and credits

This article is adapted from the Wikipedia article Fang County, written by its contributors and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Fathomly has changed the layout, removed citation markers, navigation and maintenance notices, and adjusted punctuation. This adapted version is shared under the same license. For references, see the original article.

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