Leizhou Peninsula
| Leizhou Peninsula | |||||||||||||||
 Leizhou peninsula | |||||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 雷州半岛 | ||||||||||||||
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| Traditional Chinese | 雷州半島 | ||||||||||||||
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The Leizhou Peninsula or Leizhou Bandao is a peninsula in the southernmost part of Guangdong province in southern China.
Geography
Leizhou Peninsula (simplified Chinese: 雷州半岛; traditional Chinese: 雷州半島) is the third largest peninsula in China with an area of circa 8,500 square kilometer located on the southwestern end of Guangdong, with the Gulf of Tonkin to the west and the 30 km wide Qiongzhou Strait to the south, separating the peninsula from Hainan Island. It is the most southerly point of China on the continent.
Geologically, basalt terraces account for 43% of the peninsula's area. The rest is divided up between marine terraces (27%) and alluvial plains (17%). Leizhou Peninsula is dotted with a few inactive volcanoes, beaches and low-lying diluvial plains.
Critically endangered North Pacific Right Whales and western Gray Whales were once known to occur aound the peninsula in the winter and spring to calve. Waters such as Wailuo Harbour were ideal habitats for these giants. Dugongs still occur in small number.
Climate
The peninsula lies in tropical South China. The region is under the influence of continental northeastern monsoons and maritime southeastern and southwestern monsoons. Typhoons occasionally occur, both from the Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea. Annual precipitation is 1400–1700mm.
Towns
- Zhànjiāng, port city on the north-eastern coast
- Kouang-Tchéou-Wan, former French colony on the north-eastern coast of the peninsula
See also
External links
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Coordinates: 21°N 110°E / 21°N 110°E