HUNAN, hoo'nan, China, an inland prov ince, bounded on the north by Hupeh, on the east by Kiangsi, on the south by Kwangsi and Kwangtung and on the west by Kweichau and Szechuan. The country is hilly, with con siderable elevation in the south, southeast and along the western border. The chief rivers are the Siang, which rises in the Nan-shan and flows north into the Tung-t'ing Lake; the Tsze, which is only navigable for small boats; and the Yuen, which rises in the southeastern part of Kweichau and empties into Tung-t'ing Lake. The irrigation afforded by these streams and their tributaries makes the soil exceedingly fertile. It produces tea, hemp, rice and to bacco in large quantities. A considerable yield of lumber is produced annually. The coal mines cover a large part of the area of the southeastern part. Antimony ore, copper, tin and some precious metals are also mined. The chief cities are Siangtan, on the Siang River (Pop. about 400,000) ; Yochau, the °treaty
port,* which is an important transportation point, having steamer connection with Han kau (Pop. 20,000) ; and Changte (Pop. 150, 000), on the Yuen River. The capital is Chang sha, on the Siang River, about 60 miles above Yochau. It is a fine city noted for its educa tional institutions, its wealth and culture. (Pop. 250,000). The people of Hunan are of an independent, healthy type; and for many years were entirely hostile to foreign intrusion. This spirit has been greatly minimized, however, in recent years. The most important railway is the Changsha-Chuchau, about. 35 miles long, which is a branch of the Canton-Hankau line; but transportation is carried on principally by water. The area of Hunan is 83,330 square miles, and the population is estimated at 20, 580,000.