I. Geography and natural conditions

Elevation:

The highest point in the north is the Kagebo Peak in Deqin County on the Deqin Plateau, which is about 6,740 meters high; and the lowest is in the Honghe River Valley in Hekou County, with an elevation of 76.4 meters.

Natural resources:

Yunnan abounds in natural resources. It is known as the kingdom of plants, animals and home of non-ferrous metals and medicinal herbs.

Plants:

The province not only has more plant species of tropical, subtropical, temperate, and frigid zones than any other province in the country, but also has many ancient, derivative plants, as well as species introduced from foreign countries. Among the 30,000 species of plants in China, 18,000 can be found in Yunnan.

Minerals:

More than 150 kinds of minerals have been discovered in the province. The potential value of the proven deposits in Yunnan is 3 trillion yuan, 40 percent of which comes from fuel minerals, 7.3 percent from metallic minerals, and 52.7 percent from nonmetallic minerals.

Yunnan has proved deposits of 86 kinds of minerals in 2,700 places. Some 13 percent of the proved deposits of minerals are the largest of their kinds in China, and two-thirds of the deposits are among the largest of their kinds in the Yangtze River valley and in south China. Yunnan ranks first in the country in the deposits of zinc, lead, tin, cadmium, indium, thallium, and crocidolite.

Hydro-energy:

Yunnan has sufficient rainfall and many rivers and lakes. The annual water flow originating in the province is 200 billion cubic meters, three times that of the Yellow River. The rivers flowing into the province from outside add 160 billion cubic meters, which means there are more than 10,000 cubic meters of water for each person in the province. This is four times the average in the country. The rich water resources offer abundant hydro-energy.

Tourism resources:

Yunnan is attractive with its rich tourism resources, including beautiful landscape, colorful ethnic customs, and a pleasant climate.

Environment and current issues:

Because of its high elevation, Yunnan is full of sunshine and has clear air.