`bā`), province (1994 est. pop. 56,560,000), c.72,000 sq mi (186,480 sq km), central China. The capital is Wuhan Wuhan (w-hän), city (1994 est. pop. 3,519,600), capital of Hubei prov...... Click the link for more information. (formerly it was Wuchang, which is now part of Wuhan). In this province the Chang River, flowing through the south, is joined by the Han River, coming from the northwest. At their junction lies Wuhan, a city comprising three former cities, Hankou, Hanyang, and Wuchang; it is a transportation hub and the major industrial and commercial center of central China. The central part of Hubei was once a huge lake and is now a basin, at or below sea level, formed from silt deposited by the Chang. Hubei's lakes and many rivers provide excellent irrigation facilities, and the warm climate, adequate rainfall, and rich soil make the province one of the most productive in China. Wheat, barley, rapeseed, and beans are raised in the winter, and rice, cotton, tea, soybeans, and corn in the summer. Rice production has increased significantly as a result of water conservation, modern fertilizer, better seed, and double-cropping; the province produces a surplus, which is sent to N China. Wheat is raised in the drier areas. Commercial crops include sesame, peanuts, and ramie. The minerals in the province are mostly nonferrous, although there are two huge steel complexes, one at Wuhan and one at Huangshi. Coal, copper, and gypsum are also mined. Motor vehicles and chemicals are among the main products of the province. Libraries, museums, and sports facilities have been opened in many of Hubei's cities.
Hubei
or Hu-pei conventional HupehProvince (pop., 2002 est.: 59,880,000), east-central China. It lies north of the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang) and is bordered by Shaanxi, Henan, Anhui, Jiangxi, and Hunan provinces and Chongqing municipality. It has an area of 72,400 sq mi (187,500 sq km), and its capital is Wuhan. Part of the kingdom of Chu (3rd century BC), it became part of the Qin dynasty after being subjugated by Shihuangdi. Until the reign of Kangxi, Hubei and Hunan formed one province; they were divided in the mid-17th century. The area was the scene of battles after the 1850 Taiping Rebellion. The revolution of 1911/12 (see Nationalist Party) began in Hubei. The province was heavily bombed during the Sino-Japanese War of 1937–45. Restoration began after the communist Chinese takeover. In addition to agricultural production, Hubei has important heavy industrial production.
Hubei, Hupeh, Hupei
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