GUANGDONG is situated in the southernmost part of China's mainland, where it faces the South China Sea. The province has a continental coastline of 3,368 kilometers, dotted with islands. The whole territory is within low latitudes, and is traversed by the Tropic of Cancer. Sloping down from the north to the south, the province heaves with mountains, plains and hills. Guangdong has three main rivers -- the Zhujiang (Pearl), Hanjiang and Jianjiang Rivers. At a total length of 2,122 kilometers, the Zhujiang River is the third longest in China. The fertile Zhujiang River Delta and Hanjiang Delta along the South China Sea coast are abundant in grain and aquatic produce.

Located in the subtropical zone, Guangdong is dominated by a subtropical monsoon climate. It therefore has long summers, warm winters, and is warm and humid all year round, with an annual average rainfall of 1,366 mm, an evaporation capacity of 1,100 mm, a mean temperature of 22 degrees Centigrade; and 1,828 hours of sunshine. The province is consequently green throughout the four seasons, and seethes with exotic plant life on all sides.

The province occupies an area of 178,000 square kilometers, with 3.11 million hectares of farmland, 10.26 million hectares of forest, and 570,000 hectares of meadowland. Forests cover 57 percent of the province's territory, encompassing a live timber reserve of 300 million cubic meters. Guangdong's vast sea area and numerous rivers, reservoirs, and fish ponds dispersed over the province provide rich water resources. The area utilized for sea cultivation amounts to 780,000 hectares, and that for fresh water cultivation is 430,000 hectares. Guangdong is abundant in mineral resources, having a total of 116 minerals, of which 89 have confirmed reserves, those of coal, iron and pyrite being 547 million, 553 million and 445 million tons respectively. There are also a good many flora and fauna species in Guangdong.

According to the 2000 national census, the population of Guangdong is currently 86.42 million, accounting for 6.7 percent of China's total. The population density is 486 per square kilometer. Urban residents amount to 47.52 million, representing 55 percent of the province's total.

Guangdong has 52 minority ethnic groups, constituting 0.7 percent of the local population. Large minority ethnic groups include the Zhuang, Yao, She, Hui and Manchu. The major religions in Guangdong are Buddhism, Taoism, Islam and Christianity. The total number of believers amounts to 640,000. There are seven provincial religious organizations within Guangdong.

Guangdong is the homeland of 22 million overseas Chinese, scattered over 100 countries and regions all over the world, but mostly in Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, the United States and Canada. Of its population, the number of returned overseas Chinese, and relatives of those who are still residing abroad amounts to 20 million, making the province the best known hometown of overseas Chinese.

Guangdong has a long history, and was originally the home of the Qujiang Maba people 130,000 years ago. In 214 BC, after unifying China, the First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty established the local jurisdiction of Nanhai Prefecture where Guangdong Province is now located. After several changes of name and jurisdiction in the following dynasties, the area became known as Guangdong Province during the Qing Dynasty.

In China's modern history, Guangdong was the site of many historic events, such as the Opium War, the Taiping Rebellion, the 1898 Reform Movement, the 1911 Revolution, the Northern Expedition (1926-1927) and the Guangzhou Uprising. Guangdong is also the hometown of a number of famous historic figures, including Hong Xiuquan, Liang Qichao, Kang Youwei, Sun Yat-sen and Ye Jianying.

Since its opening in 1979, Guangdong has undergone dramatic changes. Over the past decades the province has maintained a first ranking in China in economic strength. It has also achieved notable cultural and social progress, as well as vast improvements in its public utilities.

Guangdong is determined to achieve still more from 2001 to 2005, with particular emphasis on advancing the structural adjustment of its economy, and acceleration of informatization. The socialist market economy system will thus be perfected. Such sectors as science and technology, and education are also expected to see new breakthroughs, and further effort still will be made to improve the ecological environment. Democracy and the rule of law will be enhanced, and people will live an altogether more comfortable life.