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Shanghai began as a fishing village in the 11th century, but by the mid-18th century it was an important area for growing cotton and by the 1800s it was becoming the largest city in China. Foreigners came into Shanghai due to foreign trade after the Opium Wars. The British, along with the Americans and French, were allowed to live in certain territorial zones without being under the Chinese laws. As a result of all the foreigners, Shanghai became greatly influenced by Western culture, but things changed dramatically after Communism took over.

During the 1900s, opium sales along with the gambling and prostitution that went with it brought in very big profits. After the end of Shanghai's subjugation by the Japanese, the Nationalist Chinese government was given control of the city. The foreigners no longer had control and by 1949, Shanghai was transformed by the Communist Chinese government. As the foreigners left, the businesses that were left behind were one by one taken over by the government. After losing ground during the Cultural Revolution from 1966 to 1976, Deng Xiaopeng's open door policy allowed for the advancement back to being an international force in business and finance.

Area – Shanghai covers an area of 6,340.5 square kilometres, 0.06% of China's total territory, consisting of 19 districts and 1counties, of which the city proper occupies an area of 2,642.6 square kilometers. It extends about 120 kilometers in north and south and nearly 100 kilometers in east and west. Shanghai has a land area of 6,219 square kilometers and water area of 122 square kilometers. The city's Chongming Island is the third largest island in China, covering an area of 1,041 square kilometers.

Dotted with many rivers and lakes, the Shanghai area is known for its rich water resources. Most of the rivers are tributaries of the Huangpu River. Originated from the Taihu Lake, the 113-kilometer-long Huangpu River winds through the downtown area of the city. The river is about 300 to 770 meters wide with an average width standing at 360 meters. The ice-free Huangpu River is the main waterway in the Shanghai area.

Population – Shanghai has a permanent resident population of over 13.4 million, of which 9.18 million live in the urban areas (latest figures saying 21 million people live in Shanghai). The life expectancy of Shanghai residents has already reached the level of economically developed countries in the world. In 2002, the average life expectancy of the population stood at 79.52 years, 77.36 for men and 81.65 years for women, up 6.67 and 6.87 years, respectively, from the 1978 figures. Today, the life expectancy of Shanghai residents is higher than the world's average and that of middle-income countries and reaches the level of major economically-developed countries in the world.

Climate – With a pleasant northern subtropical maritime monsoon climate, Shanghai enjoys four distinct seasons, generous sunshine and abundant rainfall. Its spring and autumn are relatively short compared with summer and winter. The average annual temperature is 16 degrees Celsius. The city has a frost-free period lasting up to 230 days a year, and receives and average annual rainfall of 1,200 millimeters. However, nearly 60% of the precipitation comes during the May-September flood season, which is divided into three rainy periods, namely, the Spring Rains, the Plum Rains and the autumn Rains. The average temperature is around 18°C.

Social Life – Shanghai is a big melting pot with a population largely made up of migrants. This has led to the development of the city's colourful culture. Shanghai boasts a large number of celebrated artists and performing troupes. It has two radio stations, four television stations, four film studios and several film making sites.

Many world-class musicians and artists have come to perform in Shanghai. The city regularly hosts international TV, film and art festivals. These events have drawn many domestic and overseas participants and brought an abundance of high-quality programmes to Shanghai audiences.

Other popular festivals include the Huangpu Tourism Festival, the Xuhui Osmanthus Festival, the Nanhui Peach Blossom Festival, the Fengxian Kite-flying Festival and the Zhabei Tea Festival. Outdoor concerts and performances at the Bund and other public areas have also composed unique scenes in the city's cultural life. Fuzhou Road, known as Shanghai's "Cultural Street", has more than 100 bookstores and publishing firms.

Custom – Shanghai is located in the south of the lowest reaches of the Yangtze River, and its customs have much in common with those of other places in that area. Ever since Shanghai was opened as a port for foreign trade, its water communication gradually became busy. Shanghai has become a densely-populated city in which people from many other provinces and countries live in harmony. The customs there have been enriched and Shanghai has developed its own characteristics.

  

L: Oriental Pearl Tower  M: YuYuan Garden  R:Nanjing Road