Country | China |
Population | 18676605 |
Area | 7,434.4 km2 (2,870.4 sq mi) |
Time Zone | UTC+08:00 (China Standard Time) |
Coordinates | 23.11667, 113.25 |
Highest elevation | 21 m (69 ft) |
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City Description
Guangzhou, the capital and largest city of Guangdong province in southern China, is a bustling metropolis with a rich history and significant economic influence. Located on the Pearl River, about 120 km north-northwest of Hong Kong and 145 km north of Macau, Guangzhou has been a major terminus of the Silk Road for over 2,200 years. The city was a crucial port, serving as the only accessible Chinese port for most foreign traders for a long time.
Guangzhou’s history is marked by significant events, such as its capture by the British during the First Opium War. This event diminished its monopoly on trade, as it had to share this status with ports like Hong Kong and Shanghai. Despite this, Guangzhou remained a key entrepôt. The Treaty of Nanking in 1841, following the Second Battle of Chuenpi, led to the cession of Hong Kong to the United Kingdom, impacting Guangzhou’s trade dynamics.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport briefly became the world’s busiest airport by passenger traffic in 2020. This highlights the city’s pivotal role in global transportation and commerce.
The city is a central part of the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macau Greater Bay Area, the world’s most populous metropolitan area with approximately 70 million residents. This region includes nearby cities like Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Shenzhen, and parts of Jiangmen, Huizhou, Zhuhai, and Macau, forming the largest urban agglomeration on Earth.
Administratively, Guangzhou holds sub-provincial status and is one of China’s nine National Central Cities. Its population has seen substantial growth, with the 2020 census recording 18,676,605 individuals, a 47% increase from 2010. Of this population, 16,492,590 reside in the urban districts.
Modern Guangzhou is renowned for its annual Canton Fair, the oldest and largest trade fair in China. Forbes ranked Guangzhou as the best commercial city in mainland China for three consecutive years (2013-2015). The city is recognized as an Alpha global city, on par with San Francisco and Stockholm, and ranks 21st globally in the 2020 Global Financial Centres Index.
Guangzhou’s influence extends to sports and international events, having hosted the 2010 Asian Games, the 2010 Asian Para Games, and the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup. It hosts 65 foreign representatives, the third most in China after Beijing and Shanghai. The city ranks 10th globally and 5th in China for the number of billionaire residents.
The city is a significant research and development hub in the Asia-Pacific region, ranking 8th globally and 4th in the Asia-Pacific for scientific research output. Guangzhou is home to prestigious universities, including Sun Yat-sen University, South China University of Technology, Jinan University, and several others, making it a center of higher education and innovation.
Guangzhou’s dynamic economy, rich cultural heritage, and strategic importance in international trade make it a vital city in China and the Asia-Pacific region.
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