Geography

Shanghai is situated on the Eastern coast of China, facing the East China Sea, (Part of the Pacific Ocean) at the mouth of the Yangtze river. She spans over 6,341 square kilometers, over 2,448 square miles. The Huangpu river basically splits the city in two, separating the old Shanghai nowadays known as Puxi (literally “West of river”) on the West from the new financial district of Pudong (“East of river”) on the East. Shanghai’s port accessibility has propped her up to the third largest port city in the world.

 

Population

The population is officially listed at 16,740,000 (2000 census), but current estimates can be as high as 20 million, considering the influx of immigrants and temporary workers from the countryside.

By either number, Shanghai is the largest city in China, and has one of the largest urban populations in the world. The official language of course is Mandarin, but all Shanghai natives prefer the use of the local dialect, referred to as Shanghainese.

 

Climate

Subtropical, all four seasons of the year occur in Shanghai, with temperatures seldom dropping under freezing in the winter and rising to over 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit) in the summer, occasionally even higher.

The average rainfall per year is 1,144 mm (45.1 inches), with June through September being the heaviest months. Winter lasts from mid-December through early March. October is by far the best month of the year, weather-wise, with low levels of humidity and pleasant temperatures.

 

Economy

The city of Shanghai is itself a province, under direct control of the central government. She receives preferential treatment for international trade and business, being given more lenient trading regulations and zoning.

Costs are generally higher in Shanghai compared to the rest of China, but her business atmosphere is more profitable.

Shanghai is the financial and trading center of China, with her annual GDP reaching $73 billion US in 2003, growing 11.6% from 2002. Her per-capita GDP is over $4,250 US.

Shanghai represents 5% of China’s total GDP. Shanghai and her surrounding regions accounted for a GDP of $375 billion US and 25% of China’s total GDP in 2003. Shanghai was the source of $48.5 billion US worth of exports to other parts of the world, approximately 11% of China’s total exports. In 2003, Shanghai’s cumulative FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) rose to $74.5 billion US.

 

Transportation

Shanghai boasts the most modern transportation system in China, with over 1000 bus lines and 4 metro lines, including under and above ground rails.

By 2010, another 8 lines are scheduled to be built, to relieve the pressure of the current lines. Taxis and bicycles are abundant and a common way for foreigners and locals alike to travel. Shanghai has two airports, Pudong International and Hongqiao, which serves mainly domestic flights. The Pudong International Airport is situated 45km east of downtown, with the worlds fastest train (the Maglev, meaning magnetic levitation) connecting it to the city at speed of over 300 km/hr. (180mph).

Shanghai is served by two railway stations, with the ultra modern New Railway Station taking the crown in terms of traffic, functionality and popularity. Modern high-speed expressways starring the Jinghu which links Shanghai to Beijing- over 1000 kilometers long (600 miles) – deliver a high standard driving experience.

 

Safety

Shanghai, while still one of the safest cities in the world for foreigners, has modernized and westernized over the years, and as a direct result, the crime-rate has risen. While it cannot be compared to the crime-rate in Western cities, pick-pocketing and burglaries do occur every day.

Most apartment complexes and all university compounds do have security guards on duty 24 hours a day. It is recommended that foreigners living in Shanghai over 30 days register with their respective consulates.

 

Health

With the modernization of Shanghai over the past 25 years, the available health care has improved considerably. Though foreigners can be treated in most any hospital and by any doctor without discrimination, in order to tackle the language obstacles many hospitals in Shanghai have certain wings to specifically treat foreign patients.

Many hospitals and medical clinics in Shanghai offer foreign-trained English-speaking doctors, while some clinics even have Western doctors available. Affordable health insurance is available to locals and foreigners and is widely recommended in case of a severe emergency.

 

Education

Shanghai, along with its elementary, primary and typical K-12 schools for both locals and foreigners, also offers the opportunity for the pursuit of higher education.

She contains 13 accredited, well-known universities, including Fudan University, Tongji University and Jiaotong University, all ranking high in a national Top Ten. The number of foreigners studying abroad in Shanghai has grown each year with students studying from as short as one semester and transferring the credits to their home university, to some beginning and completing their studies over a four year period. Curriculum in almost every major Western field of study is available in Shanghai.

 

Entertainment

Shanghai is the Mecca of entertainment in China.

Everything is available ; Shanghai spares no expense. Whether you are a sports fan and would like to catch a basketball game, a dry gin-martini drinker who likes to listen to jazz in an up-scale lounge, an Irishman looking for an Irish pub, or a college student looking for the hottest club, a concert, a play, you name it, Shanghai is guaranteed to satisfy.

Every type of food is available from American fast food and fish and chips, to Indian curry and Ethiopian cuisine. Basically anything available in a Western country can be found in Shanghai.

Malls and shopping centers in the city are filled daily with people buying everything from elegant clothing to laptop computers.

 

Consulates

Consulates for most countries are open in Shanghai, and the majority of them are in or near Shanghai Centre, on Nanjing Xi Road.

They are open Monday through Friday and will close for lunch.

They will assist in any passport problems of its citizens and all have emergency lines. It is recommended that all foreigners in Shanghai for more than 30 days register with their respective consulates.