Guangdong, Province in Southeast China.
Guangdong is a province in southeast China stretching along the South China Sea coast, marked by mountain ranges in the north, fertile plains in the center, and river networks throughout the territory. The landscape shifts between densely populated coastal strips, agricultural areas inland, and forested hills shaped by the subtropical climate.
The region developed into a major maritime trade center during the Tang Dynasty, when foreign merchants established commercial routes through Guangzhou port. Later centuries saw trade with Europe and the opening of treaty ports transform the coastal zone, turning it into a gateway for international goods and ideas.
People across the province speak Cantonese and maintain their own culinary habits, especially during morning meals with steamed dumplings and tea. Cities and villages celebrate traditional festivals with lion dances, opera performances, and lantern processions that bring families and neighbors together.
The province consists of twenty-one administrative divisions, including industrial centers such as Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Dongguan, which are linked by extensive rail connections. Travelers can move between coastal regions, rural areas, and metropolitan centers, and should account for the high population density and warm climate when planning.
The Pearl River Delta within Guangdong forms one of the largest continuous urban regions worldwide, where over 46 million people live and work. This concentration changes how visitors perceive distance, as cities blend seamlessly into one another with little rural space separating them.
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