A municipality directly administrated under the Central Government, as well as an opening city; one of the most prosperous business areas as well as a distribution center for goods and materials in Northern China

Location: located between 38 34' - 40 15' north latitude and 116 43' - 118 04' east longitude, on the banks of the Haihe River and Yunhe (Grand Canel), and in the eastern part of the North China Plain

Neighboring Areas: Hebei province, Beijing municipality

Population: 8.99 million
Urban Population: 5.93 million
Area: 11,300 sq km

Physical Features: low-lying alluvial plain along the Haihe River; saline-alkaline soil; facing the Bohai Gulf

Nationalities: Han, Hui, Manchu, Korean, Zhuang, Miao and Mongolian

History: established early in Sui dynasty when the Grand Cannel was under construction; an important port in Tang dynasty; later renamed Haijin County in Yuan dynasty; since 16 century; gradually grown into a metropolis; now the direct municipality of the P.C.R.

Climatic Features: semi-humid continental climate in the Warm Temperate Zone; frost-free period of 220 days annually

Average Temperature: 12 C
Rainfall: average annual of 550-600mm

Rivers: Daqing River, Yongding River, Nanyun River, Beiyun River, Ziya River

Products: wheat, corn, potatoes, sorghum, peanuts, soybeans; cotton, ambary hemp; pears, walnuts; sea products; petroleum,salt

Local Highlights: Chinese dumplings ( Goubuli Baozi), Kuaiban (clapper talk ), figure carving