Etymology
The name "Hainan" (海南) describes its location south of the Qiongzhou Strait, while the Leizhou Peninsula is also called Haibei (海北) as it is located north of the strait.
Hainan Island was once called the Pearl Cliffs (珠崖 Zhūyá), Fine Jade Cliffs (琼崖/瓊崖 Qióngyá), and the Fine Jade Land (瓊州 Qióngzhōu). The latter two names gave rise to the province's abbreviation, Qióng (琼/瓊), referring to the pearls that were once abundant on the north coast of the island.
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