Shanghai (China)

 

 

The city's phenomenal growth is due to its location at the gateway to the Yangtze basin of central China and to the extensive development of Western economic interests in China. Shanghai is China's leading manufacturing centre, accounting for the production of one-third of the country's cotton cloth and consumer goods. Under the Communist regime, some of Shanghai's industries have been moved to other cities to achieve a more equal distribution of industrial production. However, other industries, such as rolled steel, tyres and machine tools, have been expanded. Shanghai's business district is the former International Settlement, where broad streets and handsome boulevards are lined with imposing buildings (business houses, hotels and department stores).

 

 

The Bund (which runs along the waterfront) is the best-known thoroughfare. Industries are concentrated in the Hongkew section, north-east of the Settlement, and in Pootung, across the Whangpoo. The wharf-lined river, a busy shipping route, must be dredged to admit ocean-going vessels. The city centre is surrounded by an 11th-century wall.