Guangdong

Guangdong, also known as Guangdong Province, is a coastal province in southern China. It is bordered by Fujian to the northeast, Jiangxi and Hunan to the north, Guangxi to the west, and the South China Sea to the south. The province lies near Hong Kong and Macau, which lie to its southeast. The capital is Guangzhou. Guangdong forms the core of the Pearl River Delta and is part of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, a major hub for manufacturing, trade, and innovation.

Geography and climate: The terrain ranges from the fertile delta plains of the Pearl River to hills and low mountains inland. The climate is humid subtropical, with hot, humid summers and mild winters. The province receives abundant rainfall and is affected by typhoons in late summer and autumn.

Economy: Guangdong is one of China's most populous and economically developed provinces. It has a large, export-oriented manufacturing sector and a growing high‑tech economy. Key cities include Guangzhou, a political and commercial center; Shenzhen, a global technology hub; and Foshan, Dongguan, Zhuhai, and others with dense industrial clusters. The Greater Bay Area links these cities with Hong Kong and Macau to form a major regional economy.

History and culture: The region has a long history as part of the Lingnan cultural area. In the 19th century it opened to foreign trade and later became a leading site of China’s reform and opening. Cantonese language and cuisine are widely associated with Guangdong, and the province hosts diverse communities and a substantial migrant workforce.

Demographics and administration: Guangdong comprises 23 prefecture-level cities and administers a large, diverse population. The majority speak Cantonese (Yue) as a local language, with Mandarin widely used in education and government.