Located at the lower reaches of the Dongjiang, lying in the north-east section of the Zhujiang (Pearl River) Delta, it is adjacent to Huizhou in the east, faces Guangzhou in the north and west just across the northern trunk stream of the Dongjiang and Sizi Yang, and neighbors Shenzhen to the south. As one of the districts under the jurisdiction of the city, Humen stands on the exit of the main-stream of the Zhujiang. The city covers a total area of 2, 465 square kilometers (the municipal population, 0.23 million). The predecessor of the city is Dongguan County which was administered by Panyu County in Han Dynasty and by Baoan County in Eastern Jin (317-420 AD). In the third year of Zhide period of Tang Dynasty (735 AD), Baoan County was changed into Dongguan County . The seat was then moved to the present city proper form Nantou (now belongs to Shenzhen City). It became a city in September of 1985. The area within the boundaries of the city covers mainly with the alluvial plain except for a stretch of hills and platforms in its southern section. Abundant in its products, Dongguan is one of the richest and most populous cities and counties in Guangdong Province. Since the beginning of reforming and opening to the outside world, industries of electronics, textile, clothing, toy, headdresses, leather and plastic products, and foodstuff have been well developed through introducing constantly advanced equipment and techniques from foreign countries, thus leading to the formation of an overall industrial complex. The total industrial output value reached over 4, 300 million Yuan while the agricultural output valued at 700 million Yuan in 1988. The income in foreign currencies amounted to 300 million US dollars in that very year. There are two major harbors located there: the Guancheng Harbor--an inland water port and the Taiping Harbour --a port of the inland water and ocean transportation, both of which have a handling capacity of over one million tons. In 1988, the total length of highway open to the traffic in the city region reached 1,445 km. Dongguan ranks the top in the country in terms of the highway density. There are many scenic spots and historical sites among which one is the battlefield of the Opium War in Humen renowned both abroad and at home. It abounds with various fruits especially litchi and banana, which are on sale all the year around. There are also plenty of seafood. The fireworks made in Dongguan sells well on the domestic and foreign markets. The physical mass sports are extremely popular and active in Gongguan which is known as "The Home of Swimming " and "The Home of Weightlifting".
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