Fang County


Fang County or Fangxian is a county of northwestern Hubei province, People's Republic of China. It is under the administration of Shiyan City.
The county spans an area of, and has a population of 390,991 as of 2010.

History

During the Spring and Autumn period, the region was known as Fangzhu.
During the Warring States period, the area belonged to the State of Chu.
The area was incorporated as Fangling County during the Qin dynasty, where it belonged to the Hanzhong Commandery.
In 636 CE, the area of present-day Fang County was organized as.
In 1277, Fang Prefecture was changed to Fang County, which it has remained since. It was placed under the jurisdiction of.
In 1476, Xiangyang Fu was changed to.

Republic of China

Upon the establishment of the Republic of China, the area was placed under the jurisdiction of.
In 1931, the area was re-organized as the 11th of Hubei Province. In 1936, it was changed to be under the 8th Administrative Inspectorate of Hubei Province.

People's Republic of China

In 1949, upon the establishment of the People's Republic of China, the area was administered under the.
The area was moved to the jurisdiction of the in 1965.
In 1994, the county was moved to the jurisdiction of the newly-formed prefecture-level city of Shiyan.

Geography

The Wudang Mountains run through the northern part of Fang County, and the Daba Mountains run through its southern part.
The lowest part of the county is Jiangjiapo, in, which stands above sea level. The highest part of the county is Guanjiaya, in, which stands above sea level.

Climate

Administrative divisions

Fang County administers 12 towns and 8 townships.
NameHanziPinyinDivision typePopulation
城关镇Chéngguān ZhènTown89,898
军店镇Jūndiàn ZhènTown32,346
化龙堰镇Huàlóngyàn ZhènTown20,163
土城镇Tǔchéng ZhènTown16,404
大木厂镇Dàmùchǎng ZhènTown26,828
青峰镇Qīngfēng ZhènTown27,231
门古寺镇Méngǔsì ZhènTown26,488
白鹤镇 Báihè ZhènTown28,435
野人谷镇Yěréngǔ ZhènTown9,638
红塔镇Hóngtǎ ZhènTown31,367
窑淮镇Yáohuái ZhènTown10,763
Yinjifu尹吉甫镇Yǐnjífǔ ZhènTown7,261
姚坪乡Yáopíng XiāngTownship13,008
沙河乡Shāhé XiāngTownship7,197
万峪河乡Wànyùhé XiāngTownship6,917
上龛乡Shàngkān XiāngTownship8,712
中坝乡Zhōngbà XiāngTownship7,130
九道乡Jiǔdào XiāngTownship8,675
Huilong Township回龙乡Huílóng XiāngTownship3,022
五台乡Wǔtái XiāngTownship3,268

Former divisions

In March 2012, Langkou Township was abolished, and merged into the town of Yinjifu.

Economy

Mineral deposits in the county include copper, iron, lead, zinc, phosphorus, sulfur, coal, and gypsum.
A number of large caves in Fang County also serve as tourist attractions.

Transport

runs through the county.