One of the five economic special regions in China; beverage, leather goods, industry arts chemical fibre, electric appliances and instruments are well-known all over the country; Xiamen harbor is the important foreign trade harbor; named "Garden on the sea" and "Peal on the sea"

Location: located in the southern part of Fujian province; between 118 04?east longitude and 24 26? north latitude

Neighboring Areas: Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Guangdong and Taiwan provinces

Physical Features: mainly downland, small plain near the sea; Xiamen island and continent is connected by the sea bank; wide gulf with deep water, without freezing and silting

Population: 1.24 million
Urban Population: 1.24 million
Area: 1,565 sq km

Nationalities: Han, She, Hui, Miao, Manchu, and Gaoshan

History: the administration organizational system of Xiamen has begun since Song dynasty, Ming built the city walls and established Xiamen as a major seaport and commercial centre; the city has significantly benefited from Taiwanese, overseas Chinese and foreign investment and its designation as a Special Economic Zone in 1980

Climatic Features: subtropical monsoon climate; the black frost period last 364 days; the average wind power is 3 to 5 level, mainly the northeast wind

Average Temperature: annual average 20.8 C, with the absolute highest temperature of 38.4 C, lowest of 2 C
Rainfall: the annual precipitation is 1100mm; concentrated on May, June and July

Mountains: Gulangyu Island- Wanshi Mountain

Rivers: Yongding River, a branch of the Haihe River

Local Highlights: Peanut Crisp, Spice Grapes, tea, seafood