Named after the smallest province in the- People's Republic of China, Hainan Island was once called the Pearl Cliffs, referring to the pearls that were once abundant on the north coast of the island. Hainan has a tropical moist monsoonal climate along with 1,500 km2 of primitive tropical forest. The island cuisine is predominately made up of shrimp, fish, and crab which are both light and mild in taste.