Location: situated between north latitude 3211' - 3325', east longitude ;119 - 120; in the confluence of the Yangtze River and the Grand Canal; in the south of Jiangsu province, the north bank of lower reaches of the Yangtze River, the south end of Jianghuai Plain;

Neighboring Areas: Zhejiang, Anhui, Shandong provinces and Shanghai Municipality

Physical Features: the terrain descending gradually from the southwest to southeast and east to northeast; Jinghang Canal flowing through its hinterland

Population: 4.46 million
Urban Population: 500,000
Area: 6,638 sq km

Nationalities: Han, Hui, Manchu, Tujia, Miao and Dong

History: a history of 2480 years; a leading economic and cultural center and major port of foreign trade and external exchange since ancient time in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and Huaihe rivers

Climatic Features: subtropical monsoon climate with humid changeable wind; longer winters for about 4 months, summers 3 months and shorter springs and autumns, 2 months respectively; frost-free period of 222 days and annual average sunshine of 2176.7 hours

Average Temperature: 15C annually; the hottest in July of 27.6C and the coldest in January of 1.7C; maximum temperature of 39.8C and minimum - 19C
Rainfall: annual average of 1030mm; rainny season from the middle of June to that of July

Rivers: the Yangtze River; Jinghang Canal; Baoshe River, Datong River, Beichengzi River, Tongyang Canal; Xintongyang Canal; Baima Lake, Baoying Lake, Gaoyou Lake, Shaobo Lake

Local Highlights: Yangzhou pickles, sticky candy, ginkgo, Qionghuayu liquor, Nanshan green tea, Baoying lotus root starch, Jiangdu short pastry, lacquerware, jadeware, embroidery, paper-cut, art & crafts velvet flavers