Pingtan County is a county comprising 126 islands in the Taiwan Strait, it is under the administration of the prefecture-level city of Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian Province, China. Now it is also the subject of newly founded Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone (平潭综合实验区). The main island is Haitan Island (海坛岛; Hāi-tàng Dō).

History

During the Qing Dynasty, Pingtan Ting (平潭廳) was created. In 1913, Pingtan County was established. On September 27–28, 2016, Typhoon Megi brought torrential rains across Pingtan. Bus lines resumed normal operations on September 29.

Geography

Pingtan County has a total land area of 371 km2, comprising 126 islands, and covers 6064 km2 of sea. The main island, Haitan Island, covers an area of 267 km2, or 72% of the county's land area, and is the largest island in all of Fujian. Niushan Island is located in the eastern part of the county. To the east is the Taiwan Strait. The area is the closest place in mainland China (PRC) to the main island of Taiwan.

Climate

Pingtan, by virtue of its maritime location, has a moderated climate, with high humidity and minimal diurnal temperature variation. Under the Köppen climate classification, it has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa), with mild winters and hot, humid summers, though much cooler than inland places. The monthly daily average temperature ranges from 11.5 °C in February to 28.1 °C in July. The bulk of the rainfall annually occurs in spring and early summer, while autumn and early winter is the driest time of the year. The area experiences windy weather, with an average wind speed of 17.3 km/h, and wind directions are consistent. Freezing temperatures have never been recorded here.

Administrative divisions

The county executive, legislature and judiciary is in Tancheng Town, colloquially called Pingtan, together with the CPC and PSB branches. The county administers 7 towns and 8 townships, accounting for 200 neighbourhood and village committees.

Towns

Townships

Economy

Agricultural products include sweet potatoes and peanuts among others. To the east of the county is the Niushan fishery which produces yellow fish (黄鱼) and cutlassfish in abundance among others. Tangyu zicai (塘屿紫菜) is a local speciality. Mineral resources include coal, iron, and quartz. Industries include mining, salt making, fishery processing, seafood processing, machinery, and shipbuilding. Handicrafts include scrimshaw.