Map of Chongqing City

Author: Wang Ruiping (Editor-in-Chief)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-01-01
Features: Chongqing is located in the transitional zone between the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the middle-lower reaches plain of the Yangtze River, at the junction of China's economically developed eastern region and resource-rich western region. It covers the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, the Three Gorges Reservoir area, and the southeastern part of the Sichuan Basin. It spans 105°17′–110°11′ east longitude and 28°10′–32°13′ north latitude, stretching 470 kilometers from east to west and 450 kilometers from north to south, with a total area of 82,269 square kilometers (based on detailed land surveys). It borders Hubei Province and Hunan Province to the east, Guizhou Province to the south, Luzhou, Neijiang, and Suining in Sichuan Province to the west, and Guang'an and Daxian in Sichuan Province, as well as Shaanxi Province to the north. Chongqing is currently China's largest municipality in terms of area, administrative jurisdiction, and population. The city covers an area of 82,400 square kilometers, governing 13 districts: Yuzhong District, Jiangbei District, Shapingba District, Jiulongpo District, Nan'an District, Beibei District, Wansheng District, Dadukou District, Shuangqiao District, Ba District, Yubei District, Wanzhou District, and Fuling District; 4 county-level cities: Yongchuan, Jiangjin, Hechuan, and Nanchuan; 18 counties: Qijiang, Changshou, Tongnan, Tongliang, Bishan, Dazhou, Rongchang, Kaixian, Liangping, Zhongxian, Yunyang, Fengjie, Wushan, Wuxi, Chengkou, Dianjiang, Fengdu, and Wulong; and 5 ethnic autonomous counties: Qianjiang Tujia and Miao Autonomous County, Shizhu Tujia Autonomous County, Pengshui Miao and Tujia Autonomous County, Youyang Tujia Autonomous County, and Xiushan Tujia and Miao Autonomous County, totaling 40 districts, counties (autonomous counties, cities). The population is 30.72 million. Chongqing is abbreviated as "Yu." In the administrative division order of China's 32 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities, it ranks 22nd, coming after Hainan Province and before Sichuan Province. Chongqing has a history of over 3,000 years and is a famous historical and cultural city. The city rose with water, flourished with trade, and strengthened with industry. It was opened as a foreign trade port in 1891. During the War of Resistance Against Japan, it served as the capital of the National Government and the highest command center for the national anti-Japanese and anti-Fascist war. After the National Government moved its capital to Nanjing, it remained a municipality. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, it was the seat of the Southwest Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Southwest Military and Political Committee, serving as the political, economic, and cultural center of the Southwest region and remaining a central municipality. Through long-term development, especially large-scale relocation and expansion during the War of Resistance Against Japan and the "Three Lines" construction period, it laid the foundation for modern industry. Since the reform and opening-up, its economy has further developed, making it one of the most important industrial bases and the largest commercial and industrial city in the western region. Over the past half-century, Chongqing has made significant contributions to resisting foreign invasions, modernizing national defense, and building national industrialization.
Chongqing is a major city in terms of tourism resources. As of 1999, the city has one World Heritage site (Dazu Rock Carvings), four national scenic areas (Three Gorges, Jinyun Mountain, Diaoyucheng, and Jiangjin Simianshan), five national forest parks (Daning River Three Gorges, Shuanggui Mountain, Jinfo Mountain, Shizhu Huangshui, and Xiashan), seven national key cultural relic protection units (Dazu Baodingshan Rock Carvings, Dazu Beishan Rock Carvings, Wushan Longgupu Site, Hechuan Diaoyucheng, Fuling Baiheliang Inscriptions,, and Red Rock Revolutionary Memorial Hall), and two national patriotism education bases (Red Rock Village Revolutionary Memorial Hall and Geleshan Martyrs' Cemetery). It also has 17 municipal scenic areas, 24 municipal forest parks, 49 municipal cultural relic protection units, and 3 municipal nature reserves. Based on the distribution of resources, the city is divided into 44 major scenic areas, including 6 first-level, 10 second-level, 16 third-level, and 12 fourth-level scenic areas. The development potential of tourism resources is vast.