Ansai District

Geography

The district, located in the Loess Plateau, is largely hilly, with its elevation ranging from 1,012 metres (3,320 ft) to 1,731.1 metres (5,679 ft) in height. The main rivers of the district are the Yan River, the Xingzi River, the Xichuan River, the Xiaochuan River, the Xiaogou River, and the Shuangyang River.

Climate

The district has an average temperature of 8.8 °C (47.8 °F), an average annual rainfall of 505.3 millimetres (19.89 in), and experiences an average of 2,395.6 hours of sunshine per year.

Economy

Ansai is a traditionally agricultural district where vegetables, livestock, apples, apricots are produced. Key natural resources in the district include oil, natural gas, iron, limestone, gypsum, kerogen and fire clay.

Culture

Ansai's cultural heritage includes typical Shanbei folk art. There is a tradition of paper-cutting, the painting of farmers, clay crafts, waist drums, and folk songs. Ansai's drum music has long been famous. A large number of folk art items are stored in the district office.

Ansai is part of the Chinese Communists base in northern Shaanxi, with several schools in the south suburb of Yan'an.

Transport

The G65 Baomao Expressway, Shaanxi Highway 206, and Shaanxi Highway 303 pass through the district. The Yanwu Expressway, an expressway connecting Ansai District to nearby Wuqi County, begins in the town of Yanhewan in Ansai District.

In August 2012, a sleeper bus crashed into a tanker carrying methanol, killing 36 people and injuring 3.