Shanghai

Shanghai – Brief Introduction

Shanghai is the biggest city in mainland China. It is also one of the four municipalities directly under the central government. Shanghai is the center of economic, finance, trade and shipping center of mainland China. There are biggest foreign trade port and biggest industrial base in Shanghai. There are more than 20 million people reside and live in Shanghai. Shanghai is a newly developed tourism spot which has profound culture and many historical relics. Shanghai has developed into a shinning international metropolis. It focuses on developing into an international financial center and shipping center in 2020. It is also the host city of 2010 World Expo.

Shanghai – Location

Shanghai is located at 120°51′E to 122°12′E and 30°40′N to 31° 53′N. It is located at the confluence of Huangpu River and Yangtze River. It is a part of Yangtze River Delta Alluvial Plain. Its average altitude is 4 meters. The highest point of Shanghai is on Sheshan Mountain which is 99 meters above the sea level. There are some rock islands on its sea area, such as the Big Golden Mountain, Small Golden Mountain, Fushan Mountain (also named Tortoise Mountain), Sheshan Island and so on. The Big Golden Mountain is 103.4 meters above the sea level which is the highest natural place. There are three islands (Chongming Island, Changxing Island and Hengsha Island) standing at where Yangtze River pours into the sea. Chongming Island is the third biggest island in China; it was formed by the sediment brought by Yangtze River. It covers an area of 1041.21 square kilometers and is 3.5-4.5 meters above the sea level. Hengsha Island covers an area of 55.74 square kilometers and Changxing Island covers an area of 88.54 square kilometers.

Shanghai – Climate and Acreage

Shanghai enjoys a sub-tropical monsoon climate. It has abundant rainfall and sunshine. Its extreme high and low temperature are 40.2 ℃ and -12.1℃ respectively since it has a mild and humid climate. It has relatively long winter and summer and relatively short spring and autumn.

Shanghai only had a land area of 636 square kilometers in 1949. In 1958, Shanghai expanded its administrative area to 5910 square kilometers. Its land area reaches 6340.5 square meters in 2006 which takes 0.06 percent of China's total area. Shanghai stretches 120 kilometers from south to north and stretches 100 kilometers from east to west.

Shanghai – Hydrology

There is a network of rivers and lakes in Shanghai. The water area here covers an area of 697 square kilometers which takes 11 percent of Shanghai's total area. Most of the rivers belong to Huangpu River System. There are Huangpu River and its branches, such as Suzhou River, Chuanyang River, Dianpu River and so on. Huangpu River is originated from Anji. It stretches 113 kilometers and flows through the city. Huangpu River is a ice-free river acts as an important water traffic artery of Shanghai. The biggest lake in Shanghai is Dianshan Lake which covers an area of 62 square kilometers.