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German map of Qingdao, 1912
Qingdao (Traditional Chinese:
青島, Simplified Chinese: 青岛,
Pinyin: Qīngdǎo, Wade-Giles: Ch'ing-tao, Postal Pinyin:
Tsingtao) is a port sub-provincial city in
the Shandong province of China, located at
the southern tip of the Shandong Peninsula, in Jiaozhou Bay, facing the
Yellow Sea. Another Chinese name for the area, Qindao
(Traditional Chinese: 琴島, Simplified Chinese 琴岛, literally: "stringed instrument isle") according to
locals refers to the shape of the coastline.
Qingdao has seven urban districts and five county level cities under its jurisdiction. The total population totals 7
million.
The GDP per capita comprised ¥26961 (ca. US$3260) in 2003, giving it a ranking of 32nd among 659 Chinese cities.
History
Military
The city became a German concession in 1897 and a major German naval base in the Far East. Japan occupied it
in 1914, after declaring war on Germany during
World War I. The city reverted to Chinese KMT rule in 1922, but Japan re-occupied it in 1938. After World War II the KMT allowed Qingdao to serve as the
headquarters of the Western Pacific Fleet of the US Navy. On June 2, 1949 the Chinese Liberation Army took Qingdao . Today it features a significant number of Chinese military
facilities.
Industrial
Qingdao has achieved fame for the Tsingtao Brewery, which German settlers founded in 1903, and which produces Tsingtao beer, now the most famous beer in China.
Light industry plays a significant role in Qingdao's economy. A large Korean
population, partly associated with industry, has settled in and around the city. In 1984
the Chinese government named Qingdao a Special Economic and Technology Development Zone (SETDZ).
Tourism
Qingdao attracts many tourists due to its seaside setting and excellent weather. Parks, beaches and sculpture -- as well as
some unique architecture -- line the shore. Qingdao's other attractions include:
- Laoshan
- Qingdao Naval
Museum
- Qingdao International Beer City
- Qingdao
Underwater World
- Zhanshan Temple
Colleges and universities
- Ocean University of China (formerly Ocean
University of Qingdao), the largest university of its kind in China
- Qingdao
University
External link
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