17Chinese Painting on the Coastline海岸线上的水墨画（福建省霞浦县）

Summary

Fujian, located on China's Southeast coast, boasts the country's longest and most winding coastline, stretching 3,752 km. This region is rich in natural resources, including 1,321 islands, abundant bays, and mud flats, making it a perfect environment for mariculture. Shao County, with a coastline of 404 km, enjoys a subtropical marine climate, fostering a thriving local fishing industry. Its unique mud flats have shaped the region’s ecological landscape over millions of years. The area’s stunning beauty, especially during dusk, also makes it a haven for photographers, offering a blend of nature and culture along its shores.

Takeaways

• 😀 Fujian has the longest and most tortuous coastline in China, stretching 3,752 km.
• 😀 The tortuosity rate of Fujian’s coastline ranges from 1 to 7.01.
• 😀 Fujian is endowed with a wealth of natural features such as bays, mud flats, and 1,321 islands.
• 😀 Rivers flow into almost every bay along the Fujian coastline, enriching the area’s nutrient supply.
• 😀 The water temperature in Fujian remains steady and moderate, creating an ideal environment for mariculture.
• 😀 Fujian has a deep historical connection with mariculture, dating back over 5,000 years to the Neolithic Age.
• 😀 Shao County, in the northeast of Fujian, has the longest coastline in the province at 404 km.
• 😀 Shao County enjoys a subtropical marine climate, providing favorable conditions for mariculture.
• 😀 The mud flats in Shao County are millions of years old, shaped by countless tidal movements, forming a unique ecological landscape.
• 😀 The name 'Shao' symbolizes the connection between the sky ('sha') and the sea ('poo'), reflecting the harmony of nature in the region.
• 😀 At dusk, fishermen in Shao County spread their nets over the mud flats, creating a mesmerizing visual scene that resembles a Chinese painting.

Q & A

What is significant about Fujian's coastline?

Fujian has the longest and most tortuous coastline in China, stretching 3,752 km in length with a tortuosity rate of 1 to 7.01. It is rich in natural resources, including bays, mud flats, and 1,321 islands.

Why are the bays along Fujian's coastline important for mariculture?

The bays in Fujian are rich in nutrients and have a steady, moderate water temperature, making them ideal locations for mariculture, which involves cultivating marine organisms for food.

How long has mariculture been practiced in Fujian?

Mariculture in Fujian dates back over 5,000 years, beginning in the Neolithic Age when people started farming the seas.

What is the geographical significance of Shao County in Fujian Province?

Shao County is located in the northeast of Fujian, with a coastline of 404 km, the longest in the province. It has a subtropical marine climate, deep water along its coastline, and rich marine fishery resources.

What are the key factors that contribute to the growth of mariculture in Shao County?

The broad sea area, deep water coastline, and abundant marine fishery resources in Shao County provide favorable conditions for the thriving local mariculture industry.

What is the historical significance of the mud flats in Shao County?

The mud flats in Shao County have been shaped over tens of millions of years by rising and falling tides, creating a unique ecological landscape with distinct seasonal features and local characteristics.

What does the name 'Shao' represent and how is it linked to the region's geography?

'Shao' means 'the sky,' and 'pooh' means 'the sea,' symbolizing a dialogue between the sky and the sea, a concept that is reflected in the region's stunning beaches, especially at dusk.

What happens at dusk in Shao County, and how does it contribute to the local economy?

At dusk, fishermen in Shao County spread their fishing nets on the mud flats. This not only provides a source of livelihood for many local fishermen but also attracts photographers due to the breathtaking natural beauty.

How do the mud flats in Shao County contribute to local tourism?

The mud flats, with their unique ecological landscape and captivating scenery, particularly at dusk, attract photographers and tourists, contributing to local tourism and the economy.

How does the natural environment of Fujian support both the fishing industry and tourism?

Fujian's rich natural environment, with its nutrient-rich bays, diverse marine life, and picturesque landscapes, supports both the fishing and mariculture industries while also offering a stunning setting for tourism, particularly for photographers.