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Shandong Province (Lu for
short) is situated in the lower reaches of the yellow
River, covering an area of 150,000 square kilometers and
with a population of 85.8 million.
Lying in the eastern part of the North China
Plain, 65% of Shandong's total area are plains and low-lying land,
while 35% hills and mountains. Its rivers are part of the Yellow
River, or Hai River or Huai River. The Yellow River and the Grand
Canal are its main waterways. It has a warm temperate semi-humid
climate. Major mineral deposits includes coal, petroleum, iron,
aluminium, and gold. The coastal area is abundant in fish and salt.
Shandong's industry covers oil extraction, and
processing, machinery, electric power, chemicals, foodstuff, textile,
arts & crafts, papermaking etc. In recent years, it has seen
a rapid development in computer industry and consumer electronic
industry, holding an important place in China in output value.
Shandong is a key production area for grain,
cotton and oil crops. It usually ranks first or second in production
output. Shandong is also well known for its tobacco, fruit, peanuts,
tussah silks, meat, and marine products.
While railway is its mainstay of transport, Shandong
is one of the Chinese provinces with the most dense highway network.
It has seaports like Qingdao, Yantai, Weihai, Longkou, Shijiu and
Lanshantou etc.
Shandong is rich in historical and cultural resources,
and gifted with beautiful landscapes. Among its famous scenic spots
and historical sides are Mount Tai, Laoshan Mountain, seaside of
Jiaodong penisular, Confucius family Mansion, Confucius woods and
Temple in Qufu etc. Renowned traditional specialties include clocks
and watches of Yantai, porcelain of Zibo, Kites of Weifang, shell-carving
and beer of Qingdao.
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