Geography

Due to its location south of the Qinling, Ankang is geographically considered to be part of southern China, yet, on administrative terms, as Shaanxi is officially part of Northwestern China, it is considered to be part of the Northwest. Ankang is located in the southeastern part of Shaanxi, north of the Daba Mountains and south of the Qinling. Measuring 200 km (120 mi) from east to west and 240 km (150 mi) from north to south, the prefecture-level city of covers an area of 23,500 km2 (9,100 sq mi). The Han River (Hanshui) crosses it from west to east, forming a natural landform of "a plain between two mountains".Climate[edit]Ankang has a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cwa), with cool, dry winters, and hot, humid summers. The monthly 24-hour average temperature ranges from 3.5 °C (38.3 °F) in January to 26.9 °C (80.4 °F) in July, while the annual mean is 15.6 °C (60.1 °F). Most of annual precipitation occurs from June to September.

History

The settlement of Ankang dates to the Stone Age, and its recorded history dates back more than 3000 years. The settlement was originally known as Xicheng. Ankang County was established in 1st Taikang year of the Western Jin Dynasty (AD 280). It later formed part of the Eastern Liang Prefecture, which was reorganized into the Jin Prefecture in the 3rd Feidi year of the Western Wei (AD 554). Under the Sui, this was renamed Xicheng Commandery (西城郡, Xīchéngjùn) and, under the Tang, Ankang Commandery (安康郡, Ānkāngjùn).After the founding of the People's Republic of China (1949), the Ankang Office of the Shaanxi Province People's Government was set up in 1950, growing to become the Ankang Area Civic Administration in 1979. In 2001, Ankang Area became Ankang City with a city-level administration.