Yangqu County

    Geographical and Natural Conditions:

    Located in the northernmost Taiyuan City , Yangqu County is surrounded with hills and mountains in east, west and north. The trunk stream of the Fenhe River runs through its boundary in southwest, Its geography is characterized by mountain valley or basin valley, such as Huangzhai valley, Nitun valley and Dayu basin. In its east and west mountains are loess downland with dense grass and forest. The summit of Liulinjian Mountain is an altitude of 2101.9 meters above sea level. The seasonal rivers include the Xilinjing river, Yangxing river, Jiangang river, and Wuhe river, etc. The County covers a total area of 2059 square kilometers. It governs 4 towns, 6 townships, 123 villages, 3 community com missions, with permanent resident population of 143, 300 including non - agricultural population of 19, 000.

    History:

    Yangqu County has a long history and many cultural and heritage sites, such as Buer Temple built in the Song Dynasty (420-479) and the Tripitaka Temple built in the Ming Dynasty (1368- 1644) and rebuilt in he Qing Dynasty (1636- 1911), Heavenly Buddhism Cave and ancient buildings. A natural landscape- LinJing in its northwest is full of value in sightseeing.

    Advantages in Geographical Location:

    Yangqu County is rich in natural resources, with a vast expanse of hills and wasteland suited for development of forestry and animal husbandry, and abundant reserves of mineral resources, such as coal, iron ore, bauxite, limestone, gypsum, marble and quartz. Its local products as Beimazhang millet, Taihouxiang millet, Jinrunsu foxtail millet are well known for their fine qualities. Yangqu is also a base of milk cow breeding in the province, a base of non- pollution vegetable production, and a base of potato processing. Many large projects with huge investment and high efficiency, such as Huangzhai coal gasification, Xingyang Coking, Weiying construction machinery, Hanbo foodstuff, Xinhai machinery, have been established and developed, which will greatly support for rapid economic development.

    Social and Economic Development:

    Taking tire target of enriching the county and increasing the people' s living standards as core, the whole people in the County have made efforts to achieve the innovation in various working fields and systems, and made a remarkable achievement in social and economic development. In 2003, its GDP was 813 million yuan, up 17 per cent. Its financial income totaled to above 100 million yuan, up 53 per cent. Per capita disposable income of urban and rural residents was 5450 yuan, up 13.3 per cent. Per capita net income of farmers was 1405 yuan, up 8.0 per cent. All the people in the County have made efforts to greatly boost economic and social progress, bringing about a lasting stability and prosperity.

    Development Target:

    In 2004, seizing the opportunity of Park Building Year, the County will further invite investment and cooperation its many fields arid readjust its industrial structures. It will strive for the target of enriching the county with its rural advantages and green products and creating credibility in the county.