The north generally experiences more extreme weather conditions, both in summer and in winter than the south. In winter, occasional waves of cold front form a high-pressure zone centered over Mongolia sweep southward.

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These minority peoples consist of four groups, the Miaos, the Tujia, the Dong, and the Yao.

Hunan is a major producer of grain in China. With only 3.2 percent of the country's arable land,the province produces 6 percent of the country's grain,the fifth largest producer of the 31 provinces,municipalities and autonomous regions.In particular,Hunan is the largest producer of rice and ramie,the second largest producer of tea,and the third largest producer of oranges.Among its well-known native products are day lily,lotus seeds,fragrant ushroom,ginger,seeds of Job's tears and pepper.In animal husbandry,pig-raising generates a handsome amount of income for farmers. The province is a leading producer of pork.Other popular native products include buffalos of Binhu,cattle of western Hunan and geese of ugang county.