Introduction Of Shanghai City

　Shanghai , called "Hu" for short, is a bustling metropolis with a total area of 6,341 square kilometers (about 2,448 square miles).

　Shanghai is situated at 31'14' north latitude and 121'29' east longitude in central-eastern China, along China's coastal line, facing the East China Sea at the mouth of the Yangtze River. Connected with Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces in the west, the city is bordered by the East China Sea in the east and Hangzhou Bay on the south. North of the city, the Yangtze River flows into the East China Sea. The name Shanghai means 'on the sea'.

　Thanks to its advantageous geographic location, Shanghai has become an excellent river and sea port, boasting easy access to the vast interior of China. It is now one of the major port cities of the world.

　On the outside, Shanghai may be one of the most futuristic looking cities in the world. It stands as the proud symbol of China's rise to economic powerhouse status. Shanghai is an independent City administered directly by the central government.

　Shanghai, has one of the largest urban populations on Earth. The official population is around 17 million making it the largest city in China. However with the ever increasing migration of migrant workers into the city some estimates post the ‘real’ population at over 20 million people.

　Except for a few hills lying in the southwest corner, most parts of the Shanghai area are flat and belong to the alluvial plain of the Yangtze River Delta. The average sea level elevation is about four meters. 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-kilometre-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.