Hunan, with its area of 211,800 km2, located in the middle of Southern China, is between the north latitude of 24'39'' and 30'08'', and between the east longitude of 108'47'', and 114'15''.

The name of Hunan was derived from its geographic site, to the south of Dongting Lake, meanwhile, because Xiangjiang River the largest river in this region, it is also called ''Xiang'' for short.

Hunan boasts a long history and is one of the places where Chinese agricultural cultivation originated. According to archeological excavations and written records, there were human beings living here permanently over 8000 years ago, surviving mainly on primitive agriculture and domestic animal-rearing. Hunan entered the written history of China around 350 BC, when under the emperors of the Zhou dynasty it became part of the Chu Empire (Chu State).

Hunan cuisine is noted for its use of chili peppers.N?is a writing system that was used exclusively among women in Jiangyong County.Hunan's culture industry generated 87 billion yuan (US$11.76 billion) in economic value in 2007, [2], a major contributor to the province's economic growth. The industry accounts for 7.5 percent of the region's GDP - 0.9 percentage points higher than the previous year.

In recent years, Hunan's cultural exports to the rest of China have been making a big impact. For instance, the Supergirl contest -- a Chinese version of Pop Idol -- was a significant and ground-breaking achievement for Chinese television. It included live broadcast, voting by mobile phones, and featured quirky and atypical characters. Another television export has been the television cartoon series Blue Cat.

The gross profit for the Supergirl contest in 2005, for example, was 17.79 million yuan (US$ 2.48 million). As a result of programs like Supergirl, Golden Eagle Broadcasting System's Hunan satellite television channel has become the most-watched regionally-produced channel in China, with over 5.6 billion viewers. According to Golden Eagle, its programming also airs in the US, Japan, and Europe.

The local government started developing its cultural industry earlier than other cities, which is the main reason why they are ahead. There is a mature entertainment chain and standardized management in Hunan`s cultural industry. A prime example of this is Golden Eagle Broadcasting System.

Hunan is a leading province in education, as described by the favourable saying "Hunan people are good learners". At present, priority is given to the development of education. A modern education system has been established in Hunan including basic education, higher education, vocational education and adult education. Good educational resources are available to people of various ages in Hunan.

Hunan is a leading province in education, as described by the favourable saying "Hunan people are good learners". At present, priority is given to the development of education. A modern education system has been established in Hunan including basic education, higher education, vocational education and adult education. Good educational resources are available to people of various ages in Hunan.

Hunan is a province in the south central part of the PRC, and has residents of all the 55 ethnic minorities found in China. According to the Fifth Census, the province has a minority population of 6.4107 million people, or 10.1% of the total, minority population of the nation. Among the minorities, those with a population of over 10,000 include: Tujia, Miao, Dong, Yao, Bai, etc.