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Shantou

geography Maturity 5-7 Next article →

Shantou is a major prefecture-level city in China. It sits on the eastern coast of Guangdong province. The city is located northeast of Hong Kong. It lies at the mouths of three rivers: the Han, the Rong, and the Lian.

Shantou East Coast CBD
Shantou East Coast CBD

The city is a vital economic center for eastern Guangdong. It is also a significant hub for international telecommunications. This is because four international submarine cables land at its submarine cable landing station. These cables include the APCN 2 and the China-US Cable Network.

The geography of Shantou is defined by its coastal and river locations. The Tropic of Cancer passes through the northern part of the city. There is even a monument there, which is the easternmost in mainland China. The city has several high points. Mount Dajian on Nan'ao Island is the highest peak in the city's administration. On the mainland, Mount Lianhua is the highest peak. The city is part of a massive urban area. The built-up area includes parts of Jieyang and Chaozhou. This metropolitan region has over 12.5 million inhabitants. This makes it the fifth largest built-up area in mainland China.

Shantou has experienced many historical changes. During the Song dynasty, it was a small fishing village. By the seventeenth century, a cannon platform called Shashantou Cannon was built. This led to the shortened name, Shantou. In 1860, the Treaty of Tientsin opened the city as a treaty port. This allowed for trade with Western nations. However, the city faced a massive disaster in 1922. A devastating typhoon hit the region. It killed 5,000 people in the city and many more nearby. The total death toll may have reached 100,000 people. Later, Japanese troops occupied the city from 1939 to 1945. The People's Liberation Army captured the city in 1949.

The climate in Shantou is a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate. This is also known as the Köppen Cwa climate. The city has long, hot, and humid summers. Most of the annual rainfall occurs between May and August. The annual rainfall is about 1,525 mm. Winters are generally short, mild, and dry. Spring is often overcast with cloudy skies. Autumn brings sunny and dry weather. The city receives about 1,979 hours of bright sunshine every year. Temperatures vary from a monthly average of 14.6°C in January to 29.3°C in July.

Today, Shantou is a significant center for manufacturing. Many people work in industries like garments, plastics, and canning. Toy manufacturing is a leading export industry for the city. Shantou exports 400 million U.S. dollars worth of toys every year. The city also hosts a Free Trade Zone. This zone was founded in 1993 to help with international trade and finance.

Shantou Station 2019 06
Shantou Station 2019 06

Modern transport is essential for this economy. Residents use buses, ferries, and taxis to move around. High-speed trains also connect the city to other places.

D7142 departs from Shantou Railway Station
D7142 departs from Shantou Railway Station

Culture and language are very important in Shantou. Most residents are Teochew people. They speak Teochew, which is a variant of Southern Min. This language connects Shantou to many overseas Chinese communities. Significant Teochew populations live in Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, and Malaysia. In Johor Bahru, the city is even called 'Little Swatow.'

Queshi Bridge - panoramio
Queshi Bridge - panoramio

Tea drinking is a major part of daily life. Shantou residents drink more tea than almost anyone else in China. They spend about 700 million yuan on tea every year.

Shantou is also a place for religion and education. Most people follow traditional folk religions, Buddhism, or Taoism. There are also Christian communities in the city.

Shantou Joseph Church
Shantou Joseph Church

St. Joseph's Cathedral is the cathedral for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Shantou. For higher learning, the city is home to Shantou University.

Shantou University Entrance Gate
Shantou University Entrance Gate

The city continues to grow as an important part of China's coastal economy.

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🖼️ Images & Media (6)
File:Shantou Joseph Church.jpg
Shantou Joseph Church.jpg
File:Queshi Bridge - panoramio.jpg
Queshi Bridge - panoramio.jpg
File:Shantou East Coast CBD.jpg
Shantou East Coast CBD.jpg
File:Shantou Station 2019 06.jpg
Shantou Station 2019 06.jpg
File:D7142 departs from Shantou Railway Station.jpg
D7142 departs from Shantou Railway Station.jpg
File:Shantou University Entrance Gate.jpg
Shantou University Entrance Gate.jpg
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