Hard coal, commonly known as anthracite, is a type of coal that is abundant in some parts of the world such as the United States, Russia, China, and South Africa. It is known for its high heating value, low moisture content, and clean burning characteristics. Anthracite can be used in various applications such as residential and commercial heating, producing electricity, and as a fuel for the steel and cement industries. Synonyms for hard coal include black coal, stone coal, rock coal, and culm. While these terms are not commonly used in everyday language, they are frequently utilized in the mining and energy industries.