Time Zone |
Africa/Libreville |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+1 |
Daylight Saving Time |
Daylight saving time is not observed in the current region. |
Time Zone |
Asia/Shanghai |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+8 |
Daylight Saving Time |
Daylight saving time is not observed in the current region. |
Bélinga is a major mining town in the Ogooué-Ivindo Province of the northeastern Gabonese Republic, located deep in the equatorial rainforest near Gabon's border with the Congo Brazzaville. The region is known for its world-class iron ore resources, with proven reserves of approximately 1 billion tons, making it one of the largest undeveloped iron ore deposits in West Africa.
Located on Gabon's inland plateau, with an average elevation of about 800 meters above sea level, Belinga has a tropical rainforest climate with an annual precipitation of more than 2,000 millimeters. It is surrounded by the Ivindo River and other waterways, and is rich in biodiversity, but has a weak infrastructure and is mainly connected to the port of Gentil by road.
Since the discovery of iron ore in the 1960s, Belinga has been considered a strategic project for the diversification of Gabon's economy. The development of the iron ore mine involves plans to build a 270-kilometer dedicated railroad and a deep-water port, which have been repeatedly postponed due to environmental assessments and investment issues. The local economy is still dominated by traditional forestry and small-scale agriculture.
The area is inhabited mainly by the Kota ethnic group, with a population of about 15,000 people. The balance between mining development and rainforest conservation is a central issue, and UNDP has been involved in sustainable development planning, and in 2023 the Gabonese government re-launched a revised development program that takes into account ecological preservation.
Jize County is located in the southern part of Hebei Province, China, under the jurisdiction of Handan City, in the hinterland of North China Plain. With a total area of about 337 square kilometers and a population of about 300,000, the county is mainly engaged in agriculture and cash crop cultivation, and it is the famous hometown of chili peppers in China, and is known as the "chili pepper capital of China".
Jize has a long history, dating back to the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, and is rich in cultural heritage and traditional folklore. The economy is dominated by agriculture, with a well-developed chili pepper industry and the gradual development of light industry and manufacturing. The local transportation is conveniently located near the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway and railroad network, connecting to major cities such as Beijing and Shijiazhuang.
Jize has a beautiful natural environment with a temperate monsoon climate and four distinct seasons, making it suitable for tourism and agricultural activities. Popular attractions include chili pepper plantations and historical and cultural sites that entice visitors to experience the local flavor. Overall, Jize is a typical Chinese county blending tradition and modernization with a unique regional charm.