Nan'ao or Nanao (), formerly romanized Namoa, is an island and county of the prefecture-level city of Shantou in Guangdong Province, China. The county spans a land area of , and sea area of . As of 2019, the county had a permanent population of approximately 62,600. History Since ancient times, Nan'ao has been an important and necessary transit station for marine trade along the southeast coast of China and has been known as the "land of mutual market at sea". There have been human activities on Nan'ao island since the Neolithic Age, dating back to approximately 6000 BCE. Archeological sites indicate the island was home to a Neolithic people known today as the Xiangshan culture (). Additionally, the located in Nan'ao provides evidence of ancient human inhabitation. Nan'ao belonged to Nanyue during its existence. Nan'ao was incorporated into the Han dynasty's territory and was administered under the jurisdiction of , Nanhai Commandery. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the central government dispatched 158 military officers and deputy officers to Nan'ao. In 1575, Ming military commanders incorporated Nan'ao, dividing the island between and Zhangzhou Fu. In 1685, Qing officials further reinforced the island. The former site of the Nan'ao General Headquarters still exists and has become an important cultural tourist attraction. In 1732, the island was organized as a . In the first year of the Republic of China (1912), the island was reorganized as Nan'ao County. The island fell to the Communists on 3 March 1950. Communist forces established a local government on June 1, 1950. Geography Nan'ao County is part of the prefecture-level city of Shantou in Guangdong Province, China. It chiefly rests on Nan'ao Island, which covers , but also includes 35 other nearby islands. Altogether, it occupies of land and of sea. It is the only island county in Guangdong. The southern coast of Nan'ao island forms part of the southern boundary of the Taiwan Strait, and it is only from the Pacific international transport route. Climate Since the island is located on the Tropic of Cancer, it has subtropical monsoon climate and marine climate, characterised by long, humid, sunny summer and short, mild winter. The annual average temperature is between 20 °C and 22 °C (68–72 °F), which is slightly higher in coastal and low-lying areas, and lower in mountainous areas. The coolest month is February. From mid-February to the first ten days of April,