Shanghais Expanding Economy and Growing Role in the World Economy - Essay Example

of Shanghai’s Expanding Economy and Growing Role in the World Economy Introduction Shanghai in People’s Republic of China has the largest population, with more than 25 million people residing in that city. Its level is provincial together with three others that belong to that group. It is a worldwide city which has influenced finance, culture, global business, transport and technology. Shanghai is rich in cultural features ranging from the old to the modern ones. A majority of them are of local Chinese features. The status of the city as aforementioned is equivalent to a province, and its administration is obliged to account to the central government. Shanghai city has drawn the attention of the globe because of the following reasons: it has one of largest and ever busy seaport, it has dynamically advanced in technology and it is the biggest financial and trade center of China (French, Paul & Matthew, 2010, Pg. 15). Its location is at 121°29 east longitude and 31°41 north latitude. On the literal ground, it is situated on the southward of river Yangtze and on the eastward side of the coast region of China. It is bordered by Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces on the westward side and on the eastward direction there is a Sea, and on the south there is Hangzhou Bay (French, Paul & Matthew, 2010, Pg. 25). The city is centrally located along the coast of China. Its geographic location is central, and it is connected to various parts of China and also to the World. The rich connection aids commercial activities to take place in it and other places where it links. The availability of sea ports has increased local and international trade activities; it is playing a vital role in development of the global economy. Most of the land of shanghai is flat except some hill areas which are located on the southwest region. The city covers the alluvial plain which is served with water from river Yangtze. The plains support agriculture that feeds the people of the city and other parts of the country. Shanghai city has many resources of water including rivers and lakes with it with water for both domestic, industrial and agriculture purposes (French, Paul & Matthew, 2010, Pg. 30). Shanghai Population Shanghai city has the highest population in China. The number of people who permanently reside there are more than 23 million which comprise of 1.2% of the total population of China. The population density of the city is 2,060 per square kilometer. All the ethnic groups of China are represented in the Shanghai city with the minority group having a population of 105,523 people. Due to the development progress of Shanghai, the livelihood of the dwellers is getting better and better with time and its environment has motivated a majority of them to be hard working in their activities. The increase of the diversified activities in the city has attracted both local and international people into the city for the purpose of commerce and other transactions (French, Paul & Matthew, 2010, Pg. 17). International investors have been attracted to the city. The number of business people has of late enlarged and consequently business transactions also have increased. As a result, the economy of China has been increased up positively. Other parts of the world are also benefiting from the economic activities as the foreign investors send money back to their home countries. The money that is taken to the home countries of the business men and women is utilized in development and their respective governments tax them making more revenue. Therefore, Shanghai city is not only leading to improvement of the global economy but also the world wide economy. There exist religions in this city whereby a majority of the religious people are Islam. The second religion after Islam is the Buddhism which originated from Tibet some years back ago. There are other religious groups there, but they have very few followers unlike the Islam and Buddhism. People get comforted and motivated by their religions. Apart from giving them spiritual nourishment they support them in other ways enabling them to sustain themselves economically. They also teach them other practices and traditions which are upheld by the religions (French, Paul & Matthew, 2010, Pg. 21). Geographical Features Shanghai city has got alluvial plains at the lower parts of river Yangtze. The alluvial soil is brought by erosion of the river and the wind which carries the top alluvial soil depositing it at the lower plains of the river. It is estimated that the city lies between four to six meters above sea level. The earth of the place is relatively loose and soft because of the loam and alluvial soil that is on the city. The west of the city is slightly lower in altitude than the east. The City has small mountains and few hills. Some of the mountains are; Fenghuang Mountain, Xiaokunshan Mountain, Tianma Mountain and Hengshan Mountain. The city got some offshore islands where Dajinshan Island is the highest with a height of 104.5 meters above sea level (French, Paul & Matthew, 2010, Pg. 88). The city has got well developed network of water distribution. In fact, it is the leading city in china with a and networking. There is also ample supply of water from both the lakes and rivers for irrigation and transportation. The main river in the city is Yangtze. The rivers are offering links to the Island and the hinterlands which are surround the City hence they make commerce be transacted in all areas. Apart from enhancing trade, the lakes and rivers are good sources of aquatic products which are used for commercial purposes and domestic uses also. Most of the aforementioned geographical characteristics are beneficial to the city in terms of making it improve in economic activities Natural Resources The city lacks natural resources, but it has got scanty vegetation. It has hills, mountains and alluvial flat plains. There are crops, flowers and trees which are grown by farmers and other people who have interest in glowing trees and flowers. It lacks energy and mineral resources. It has natural gas and crude oil in the Yellow sea at its south and the offing China Sea located at the East (French, Paul & Matthew, 2010, Pg. 101). In the exploitation of its coal, water and oil Shanghai requires collaboration from other cities and provinces. It has both high quality and quantity of production of energy which include products of oil, gas and coal. From this secondary energy others are developed which include tidal energy, tidal energy and biogas energy. The city has rich resources of fish and other aquatic products. The available natural resources are significant in commercial activities therefore they also aid in economic development (French, Paul & Matthew, 2010, Pg. 65). Shanghai Culture The city is an international having quite a number of cultures from the local community and others from the international community. Due to this it is referred to as the Shanghai Regional Culture. The culture of Shanghai is an original traditional culture of the Chinese people and majorly comprises of the Yue and the Wu community culture. The major aim of Shanghai culture is to absorb the world culture from all over the world for the pursuit of innovation and excellence. The attributes of the culture include inventive, variety and opening (French, Paul & Matthew, 2010, Pg. 45). Shanghai Developments The City has developed in terms of transport whereby strong and durable bridges have been built. The bridges which have boosted the transportation networks within and without the city by enabling vehicles to pass over rivers have led to improved movement of goods and services. The products, resources and services are transported in time to premises where they are needed. Tunnels, towers and commercial buildings have been constructed in the City. The constructions are used to house trade and businesses. Diverse types of exhibitions are held in the City on the annual basis, whereby the industrial exhibition is prominent (French, Paul & Matthew, 2010, Pg. 137). Shanghai Industry The industrial activities have tremendously grown and big projects are being undertaken in the place. In the year 2010the City achieved an added industrial of 430 billion representing 25% of the total sector of industrial growth in China. The city has enhanced the insurance and financial services which imperatively significant in the development of the economy. Industries of IT have been setup and they have considerably added to the growth and making a wide range of industries (French, Paul & Matthew, 2010, Pg. 124). Shanghai Airport There exist two airports Shanghai and they have exceedingly contributed in transportation of commercial goods across the globe. There is the Shanghai Hongqiao Airport and Shanghai Pudong Airport. Pudong is an international airport which serves international flights. The airports aid importation and exportation of goods which are transacted in businesses. The availability of these ports has greatly increased the international commercial activities in the city hence boosting trade (French, Paul & Matthew, 2010, Pg. 88). Summary Shanghai city is richly invested by both local and international investors. Its high population provides adequate labour for the industries, organizations and institutions which are working in the city. Good transportation networks have provided access to areas where resources for the industries are obtained from and the market places where the manufactured products are sold. Being located at a good geographical point it has become the core center of trade and finance in the nation of China. In addition it has emerged to be among the top cities in the world that is influencing the global economy. Work Cited French, Paul, and Matthew Crabbe. Fat China: How Expanding Waistlines Are Changing a Nation. London: Anthem Press, 2010. Print. Pg. 5-155. Read More