Maoming
| Maoming 茂名 | |
|---|---|
| Prefecture-level city | |
茂名市 | |
 | |
| Nickname(s): 南方油城 (Oil City of the South) | |
 | |
  Maoming | |
| Coordinates: 21°39′N 110°55′E / 21.650°N 110.917°ECoordinates: 21°39′N 110°55′E / 21.650°N 110.917°E | |
| Country | People's Republic of China |
| Province | Guangdong |
| Municipal seat | Maonan District |
| Government | |
| • CPC Committee Secretary | Yimin Liang (梁毅民) |
| • Mayor | Hongjun Li (李红军) |
| Area | |
| • Prefecture-level city | 11,458 km2 (4,424 sq mi) |
| • Urban | 879 km2 (339 sq mi) |
| Population (2010 census) | |
| • Prefecture-level city | 5,817,753 |
| • Density | 510/km2 (1,300/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 1,217,715 |
| • Urban density | 1,400/km2 (3,600/sq mi) |
| • Metro | 1,217,715 |
| • Major Nationalities | Han |
| Time zone | China Standard (UTC+8) |
| Postal code |
525000 (Urban center) 525100-525400 (Other areas) |
| Area code(s) | 668 |
| GDP (2012) |
¥ 195.118 billion in total; ¥ 33,537 per capita |
| License Plate Prefix | 粤K |
| County-level divisions | 6 |
| Township-level divisions | unknown |
| Coastline | 220 km |
| Website | maoming.gov.cn |
| Maoming | |||||||||||||
| Chinese | 茂名 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cantonese Jyutping | Mau6 ming4 | ||||||||||||
| Cantonese Yale | Mauhmìhng | ||||||||||||
| Hanyu Pinyin | Màomíng | ||||||||||||
| Postal Map | Mowming | ||||||||||||
| Literal meaning | Named after Pan Maoming | ||||||||||||
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Maoming (Chinese: 茂名), also known as Mowming is located in southwestern Guangdong province, People's Republic of China. Facing the South China Sea to the city's south, Maoming city neighbors Zhanjiang in the west and is 362 kilometers (225 mi) from Guangzhou and 121 kilometers (75 mi) from Zhanjiang. The Maoming Port is a Grade I port that handled 16.8 million tons of cargo in 2007. Refined oil and aquatic products are the major export products from the city. Major export destinations include Hong Kong, Macao and ASEAN member nations.
As of the end of 2010, Maoming had a population of 5,817,753 inhabitants, 1,217,715 of whom live in the most developed area, which includes 2 urban districts (Maonan and Maogang). The city's birth rate is 11.04‰, and its GDP (2012) was RMB 195.118 billion (US$31.81billion), up by 10.6% over the previous year.[1] According to government sources, Maoming's GDP ranked 7th among Guangdong's 21 cities, and ranked 79th of China's 656 cities in 2012.[2]
History
The area around Maoming was first mentioned in recorded history about 4,500 years ago. During the Xia Dynasty (2100-1600BC) and the Shang Dynasty (1600-1100BC), the Baiyue tribes inhabited this region. During the Qin Dynasty (221-206BC), the region was divided into Nanhai Shire, Xiang Shire, and Guilin Shire. It was named "Maoming" during the Sui Dynasty (AD581-618). By the time of the Tang Dynasty (AD618-907), the Baiyue Tribes had merged with their neighbors, the Yao people and the Zhuang people. In 1959 Maoming became a city-level administrative region.
A large number of minority groups, including the Yao people, the Zhuang people, and the Miao people, are still living in Maoming, and the city enjoys diverse cultural activities and folk arts. The people of Maoming speak the Gaoyang dialect of Cantonese and Mandarin.
Administration
The prefecture-level city of Maoming administers 6 county-level divisions, including 2 districts, 3 county-level cities and 1 county.
| Map | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| # | Name | Hanzi | Hanyu Pinyin | Population (2010) | Area (km²) | Density (/km²) |
| 1 | Maonan District | 茂南区 | Màonán Qū | 820,934 | 507 | 1,619.2 |
| 2 | Maogang District | 茂港区 | Màogǎng Qū | 396,781 | 372 | 1,066.7 |
| 3 | Huazhou City | 化州市 | Huàzhōu Shì | 1,178,873 | 2,354 | 500.8 |
| 4 | Xinyi City | 信宜市 | Xìnyí Shì | 913,717 | 3,081 | 296.6 |
| 5 | Gaozhou City | 高州市 | Gāozhōu Shì | 1,288,724 | 3,276 | 393.4 |
| 6 | Dianbai County | 电白县 | Diànbái Xiàn | 1,218,724 | 1,855 | 657 |
Geography
Situated in the southwestern coastal area of Guangdong, Maoming has under its jurisdiction Maonan District, Maogang District, Dianbai County. The city administers the smaller cities of Xinyi, Gaozhou, and Huazhou at the county level.
Maoming's coastline is 220 kilometers long. The "First Shoal of China" resort is 25 kilometers (16 mi) from downtown Maoming.
Economy
Maoming was called one of "the top 100 developed cities in China" and the "National Garden City". Maoming is one of the largest petrochemical production areas in South China, and one of the largest fruit production areas. Other major industries include tilapia culture and processing, winter-planted vegetable production, and other energy, material, and heavy-chemical industrial production.
Major Economic indicators (2012)[1]
GDP: RMB 195.118 billion (US$ 31.81 million), 10.6% up
GDP Composition:
- Primary Industry (Agriculture) 19.1%
- Secondary Industry (Industry & Construction) 37.2%
- Tertiary Industry(Service) 43,7%
GDP Per Capita: RMB 33,537(US$ 5467.93), 8.9% up
Unemployment Rate: 2.5%
Fixed Asset Investment: RMB 18.01 billion (US$2,64 billion), 23.5% up
Utilized FDI: US$31 million, 44.2% down
Total Import & Export: US$673 million, 9.1% down
Export: US$532 million, 7.4% up
Import: US$141 million, 42.5% down
Sales of Consumer Goods: RMB 60.1 billion (US$8.8 billion), 20.3% up
Transport
Highway
Maoming can be reached by the Maozhan Expressway, which is linked to the Kaiyang Expressway and Fokai Expressway, which leads to the provincial capital, Guangzhou. Guangzhou is a 5 - 6 hour commute from Maoming.[3]
Railway
Maoming is served by the Guangzhou-Maoming Railway, which runs east to the provincial capital, the Hechun-Maoming Railway, which runs west to the Litang-Zhanjiang Railway, and the Luoyang–Zhanjiang Railway, which runs north through eastern Guangxi and central Hunan to China's Central Plain.
Tourist attractions
Maoming is home to the No. 1 Shoal of China Vacation Area (中国第一滩), Chicken Island (放鸡岛) and Tianmashan (天马山) Eco-tourist Area, the Temple of Madam Xian (冼太庙 ; Xiǎn Tài Miào) in Gaozhou, and the Genzi Litchi Cultural Tourist Area.
The No.1 Shoal of China Vacation Area is 25 kilometers (16 mi) from the downtown Maoming, in the Maogang District. With miles of fine beach outside the shelter belt, tourists can enjoy parachute gliding and sailboarding. It is also a national training center for beach volleyball, and often hosts national and international competitions.
Chicken Island is the largest island in Maoming, covering an area of 1.9 km2. This tourist resort is a diving center, boasting clear and pristine sea water. It is known for its coral reefs and recreational scuba diving. Skin diving, deep diving, and explorational diving are available as well.
The Temple of Madam Xian was constructed in 1535 in memory of Madam Xian, who was the female leader of the Baiyue Tribe. The temple is rich in cultural and historical objects, such as ancient statues, sculptures, and stone inscriptions.
Maoming is a famous litchi production area. The Genzi Litchi Cultural Tourist Area is situated in Genzi, a small town in Maoming.
Maoming's most popular local specialty foods include Huazhou Baiqie Chicken (白切鸡), Gaozhou Salted Chicken (盐焗鸡 yánjú jī), Fenpi (粉皮), Genzi Beef Rice Noodles and Xinyi Huaixiang Chicken.
Downtown Maoming is a comfortable walking city, great for just wandering into shops. A downtown park comes alive at night as couples and families stroll.
Maoming is easily accessible from Guangzhou (approximately four hours by a comfortable train or a first class bus). Two train stations serve Maoming, one downtown that provides the connection to Guangzhou and points to the north, and one a few minutes south of town that connects to the south and west.
References
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Maoming. |
- Government website of Maoming (Chinese) (English)
- Bureau of Statistics of Maoming
- China Knowledge
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