Just the facts.....maybe

Ankang is located in Shaanxi province in central China. It is about 260 km (160 mi), or a 5 hour train trip, south of Xi'an, the location of the terra cotta warriors.

Ankang is on the 32 N latitude, similar to Dallas, Texas. It is located in the Qinling and Qinba Mountains of southern Shaanxi. Its elevation is 1040 ft. according to one source. That same source gives the population in a 7 km (4 mi) radius as 31,374. I had heard the population is 170,000 and also 300,000 but don't know the size of the area for those numbers.

The Hanjiang River flows through Ankang. This is either a tributary of the Han River or perhaps it's the name the Han River is called in this area.

Southern Shaanxi has a subtropical climate. The average summer temperature is 24C (75F). Why, then, do I remember so many August days of 36-39C/97-102F? The coldest winter temps are -1 to -3C (26F). I can hardly wait! The average annual rainfall is 550 - 770mm (21-30in.)

From what I have read on the Internet....a significant number of people in the Ankang area were identified as living at poverty level. For the past 10 years work has been done to improve their living conditions. Since 2000 the government has spent 2 million dollars (Am.) to improve the homes and the water supply. The burning of coal, noted as the source of fluorine and arsenic poisoning, has been discouraged and new methods of cooking and heating are being introduced.

Ankang is seen as a developing economy. Food processing, silk garments, mineral products, construction materials and chemical industries are listed in one website as its five economic sectors.

I have read that Ankang and the greater area were suppliers of silk for the Silk Road. Those hungry caterpillars we saw in the countryside last October have been busy for a long time!