Shanghai is located where the Yangtze River Delta flows into Hangzhou Bay. In turn, it flows into the East China Sea to the east. Shanghai covers an area of about 2,700 square miles. Most of it is flat and sits just a few feet above sea level. Shanghai experiences four distinct seasons. The summers are hot and humid and the winters are cold but snowfall is somewhat rare. Rain is most common in the summer months. Typhoons occasionally hit Shanghai.
Nearly 19 million people live in the Shanghai metropolitan area. It is also densely populated with about 7,000 people per square mile. Nealy 5 million of the population are migrant workers from other parts of China. Shanghai is seen as a city of economic opportunity and many workers go there to try to strike it rich. The official language is Mandarin Chinese, but longtime residents of Shanghai speak a dialect called Shanghainese. Wu Chinese is also widely spoken.
Shanghai was originally settled in the fifth century. Its location on the Yangtze River Delta made it ideal for farming and as a port. By the seventeenth century, Shanghai was a major trading center for the Qing Dynasty. It became the primary port for foreign ships from the west. Shanghai was taken by the British during the First Opium War but was returned when China signed the Treaty of Bogue, allowing access to foreign ships. Japan occupied Shanghai during World War II until it was liberated by Japan's surrender to the Allies in 1945. Shanghai was a very important center of activity during the formation of the People's Republic of China. It continued to be economically productive, even while other parts of China struggled. This helped finance the government during challenging times. In 1991, economic reforms were implemented that helped turn it into the economic powerhouse it is today.
The Port of Shanghai ships nearly 600 million tons of cargo every year. Just about all the manufactured goods produced in Northern China is sent to the rest of the world through Shanghai's port. The city is also a major financial center. The Shanghai Stock Exchange is located there, along with many major banks and technology companies. All the money flowing through Shanghai gives it a more metropolitan feel than is seen in other parts of China. It is famous for its bright lights and prominent skyline architecture.
Shanghai is one of the most popular tourist destinations in China. Activity centers around the Bund, a waterfront area offering a look at remnants of old colonial Shanghai sitting side by side with modern Shanghai. Cruises on the Huangpu River are also a popular way to see the area. Historic sights include the Shanghai Museum, Jade Buddha Temple and Yu Yuan Garden. Modern Shanghai is best viewed from Jin Mao Tower and the best shopping is found on Nanjing Road. The best clubs and restaurants are in the Xin Tian Di district.
