Location: located between 112 - 114 east longitude and 28 - 29 north latitude in the northeast of Hunan province

Neighboring Areas: Jiangxi, Guangdong, Guizhou, Sichuan, and Hubei provinces; Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

Physical Features: densely covered by lakes

Population: 5.1 million
Urban Population: 820,000
Area: 15,019 sq km

Nationalities: Han, Hui, Manchu and Mongolian

History: established as a prefecture called Hanchang in 210 B.C. during the Three Kingdoms period; later renamed Paling in Jin and Song dynasties; in 1913, established as Yueyang county

Climatic Features: northern subtropical monsoon climate with long warm period, short freeze-up and rich rainfalls; 4 distinct seasons with sunlight of 1792 hours and frost-free period of 277 days

Average Temperature: 17¡æ

Rivers: the Yangtze River, Xiang River, Zi River, Ruan River and Li River

Products: tortoise-snake wine, paper folding fans, artistic porcelain wares, wood and bamboo wares, Baling wine, Tuanhu lotus seed and Yinzhen (Silver Needle) tea

Local Highlights: Dragon Race Cultural Festiva