Shanghai is the largest city in China in terms of population and one of the largest urban areas in the world, with over 20 million people in its extended metropolitan area. Located on China’s central eastern coast at the mouth of the Yangtze River, the city is administered as a municipality with province-level status.
Shanghai coordinates:
Shanghai has a humid subtropical climate (Koppen climate classification Cfa) and experiences four distinct seasons. In winter, cold northerly winds from Siberia can cause nighttime temperatures to drop below freezing, and although not usually associated with snow, the city can receive one or two days of snowfall per year. In contrast, and in spite of being the peak tourist season, summer in Shanghai is very warm and humid, with occasional downpours or freak thunderstorms. The city is also susceptible to typhoons, none of which in recent years has caused considerable damage. The most pleasant seasons are Spring, although changeable, and Autumn, which is generally sunny and dry. Shanghai experiences on average 1,778 hours of sunshine per year, with the hottest temperature ever recorded at 39 °C (102 °F), and the lowest at −5 °C (23 °F). The average number of rainy days is 112 per year, with the wettest month being June. The average frost-free period is 276 days .
Shanghai is administratively equal to a province and is divided into 19 county-level divisions: 18 districts and one county. There is no single downtown district in Shanghai, the urban core is scattered across several districts. Prominent central business areas include Lujiazui on the east bank of the Huangpu River, and The Bund and Hongqiao areas in the west bank of the Huangpu River. The city hall and major administration units are located in Huangpu District, which also serve as a commercial area, including the famous Nanjing Road. Other major commercial areas include the classy Xintiandi and Huaihai Road in Luwan district and Xujiahui in Xuhui District. Many universities in Shanghai are located in residential areas of Yangpu District and Putuo District.
History
During the Warring States Period (475 -221BC), Huang Xie, known as Lord Chunshen of the Chu state, organized people to excavate the Huangpu River. The river therefore has a nickname of ‘Chunshen River’ and Shanghai has sometimes been referred to as ‘Shen’ ever since. Fishermen living in the area at that time created a fishing tool called Hu, so Shanghai has the other nickname of ‘Hu’.
In 1840 Shanghai County had already grown to include today’s Huangpu District and the old city zone, bordering today’s Qingpu District in the west, Chuansha Town in today’s Pudong New Area in the east, Baoshan District in the north and Nanhui District in the south.
After 1840 the British Army entered Shanghai and opened it as a treaty port in 1843. Many other countries set up concessions in Shanghai. They sought industrial raw materials and dumped superfluous goods there. At that time Shanghai became an ‘Adventurer’s Paradise’ and many countries set up enterprises in industries of shipping, banking, printing, pharmacy, architecture and public utilities. Meanwhile the Qing government also set up many enterprises in Shanghai to promote national industries and commerce.
In 1912 Shanghai’s land area grew to today’s size, under the jurisdiction of Jiangsu Province. The First National Congress of the Communist Party of China was held there in July 1921. The Shanghai area was renamed Songhu City in 1925, and in 1927, Shanghai City was officially established, directly under the Executive of Government of the Republic of China.
In the late 1920s and early 1930s modern industry developed quickly in Shanghai. A large number of enterprises, advanced techniques and equipment and systematic factory management insured Shanghai’s position as an important base of modern industry in China as well as the shipping, financial and trade center of the Far East.
After a prosperous period, Shanghai started to suffer from World War II. The lack of raw material resulted in declining industry and economy, the lack of daily necessities and severe inflation.
Time Zone : China Standard Time (UTC+8)
City Flower : Yulan magnolia
