Jiangsu is one of the provinces of China, which has 106 county-level divisions that are further classified into 13 prefecture-level cities as its jurisdictional divisions. The abbreviation for this province is "苏" (sū), the second character of its name. The province neighbors Anhui, Shandong, Zhejiang and Shanghai.

Jiangsu province covers an area of 102.6 thousand square km, about 1.06 percent of the total area of the country. The plain area of Jiangsu is 70.6 thousand square km, and water surface area is 17.3 thousand square km. The province has a coastline of 954 km and its cultivated area is 47.4101 million ha.

Located in the downstream area of the Yangtze River along China eastern coastline, it is known as the "country of fish and rice" and the "land of rivers and lakes". The two names allude to the rich, fertile land or the region that is crisscrossed by a network of rivers and canals, and dotted with lakes and reservoirs.

Jiangsu Province spans the warm-temperate/humid and subtropical/humid climate zones, and has clear-cut seasonal changes, with temperatures at an average of -2 to 4�C in January and 26 to 30�C in July. There are frequent rains between spring and summer (meiyu), typhoons with rainstorms in late summer and early autumn. The annual average rainfall is 800 to 1200 mm, concentrated mostly in summer when the southeast monsoon carries rainwater into the province.

Marvelous rivers and mountains are not the only attractions that tempt visitors to Jiangsu. The province, in particular the capital city Nanjing, brags a fascinating history. Crumbling city walls, venerated mausoleum and statues of vehement leaders are strong reminders of its brilliant past. Nanjing has enjoyed a 2,400-year history of prosperity since the Warring State Period, and has been the capital of China during eight dynasties. There are also sights of cultural interest scattered liberally throughout Jiangsu from the ancient ornamental gardens of Suzhou to Wuxi's world-record breaking bronze Buddha.

The local cuisine is another incentive for tourists to visit Jiangsu. 'Huaiyang' in style, it is similar to Shanghainese cuisine and makes liberal use of soy, ginger, sugar and Shaoxing wine. ‘Dazha crab’ is the specialty of the region, and in Nanjing salt-cured and pressed duck are delicacies.

Today, Jiangsu's main cities - Nanjing, Suzhou, Wuxi, Changzhou and Nantong - are thriving industrial centers, and although pollution and development contribute to irritations and eyesores, each retains an individual allure. Spring and fall are the best times to visit - not least because of the millions of plant trees that line the streets of each city 'boulevard-style' - though the summer and winter temperatures are not extreme.

Jiangsu is one of the most developed areas in China in economy, technology and culture. Its industries mainly include manufactures, machinery, electronics, spinning and agriculture, and the total output is one of the largest in the nation. The province’s transportation network is most developed and it is connected throughout the whole province and other provinces, including inland waterway, railroad, airline and highway systems. In recent years, the development of hi-tech and telecommunication has brought it up to a new height.

Jiangsu is also a centre of education and science in China. It has the highest density of academic institutions including university, college, and research institutes. The percentage of educated people is always ranked in the front of the country.