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City Profile
2011 Jun-30
Qingdao, located in the southeast part of Shandong Province, is a major seaport, naval base, industrial center and also the home to Qingdao Beer and Haier. Reputed as "Oriental Switzerland" and "Asian Geneva", Qingdao is famous for the red roofs, green trees, blue sea, and azure sky. In 2009, Qingdao was named China's most livable city for its clean environment and agreeable ocean climate. As a former colonial enclave once under Germany and then Japanese rule, Qingdao has preserved a large number of architectures and areas in former foreign styles. In 2008, as Beijing’s partner for Olympic Games, Qingdao was the host city for the 2008 Summer Olympics Sailing RegattaQingdao is located on the south facing coast of the Shandong Peninsula. It borders three prefecture-level cities, namely Yantai to the northeast, Weifang to the west, and Rizhao to the southwest. The city's total jurisdiction area occupies 10,654 square kilometers (4,114 sq mi). The populated sections of the city are relatively flat while mountains spur up within city limits and nearby. The highest elevation in the city is 1,133 meters (3,717 ft) above sea level. 15.5% of the total area is highland, while the foothill, plain and lowland areas constitute 25.1%, 37.8% and 21.7%. The city has a 730.64 kilometers (454.00 mi) coastline. Five significant rivers that flow for more than 50 kilometers (31 mi) can be found in the region.
Qingdao has a temperate, four-season, monsoon-influenced climate that falls on the borderline between humid subtropical and humid continental. Winter is cool to cold and windy, but generally dry; with a January average of ?0.9 °C (30.4 °F). Summer is generally hot and humid, but very hot days are rare, with an August average of 25.3 °C (77.5 °F). Due to its proximity to the coast and being on a peninsula, it experiences a one-month delayed spring compared to most inland areas of China. Conversely, autumn is milder than inland areas in Shandong. The water temperature peaks at about 25 °C (77 °F) in late August, with swimming possible two months on either side.
SICAS Reminder: It's sometimes windy in spring, so bring jackets, sweaters and pullovers for the spring and autumn. Summers are hot and humid; plan to wear lightweight clothes: t-shirts, shorts/skirts, flip flops etc. Bring warm clothes like a heavy coat for winter since it turns very cold.