Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu province in eastern China, is a major historical, cultural and educational centre.
The city, which covers an area of 6,587 kmē, had a population of 9,314,685 at the time of the 2020 census.
It is renowned for having been the capital of several Chinese dynasties and the seat of republican governments until 1949.
Today, it is classified as a sub-provincial city, with quasi-provincial economic and jurisdictional autonomy.
The service sector dominates Nanjing's economy, accounting for around 60% of the city's GDP.
The city also stands out in the financial sector, with a financial centre index that ranks it sixth nationally.
The city is also known for having one of the largest inland ports in the world.
The city is home to 68 higher education institutions, including 13 world-class universities such as Nanjing University, renowned for its long history and its ranking among the world's top 20 universities according to the Nature Index.
Nanjing is also a leading scientific research centre, ranked second in the world in earth and environmental sciences and third in chemistry.
Information technology, environmental protection, new energies and the manufacture of intelligent equipment are the region's industrial pillars.
Notable companies include Suning Commerce and Panda Electronics, as well as foreign investors such as Siemens, Volkswagen and IBM, who have established research and production centres here.
Nanjing is also a hotbed of culture and the arts, with numerous cultural centres, theatres and art galleries.
The city is an important conservatory of traditional Chinese opera, notably Kunqu.
In terms of architecture, Nanjing is famous for its historic buildings that bear witness to its rich past, including imperial mausoleums and ancient temples.
Infrastructure development in Nanjing has been marked by major projects such as the Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre, which was one of the main venues for the Youth Olympic Games in 2014.
Tourism and culture are also key sectors, with historic sites such as the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and the Confucius Temple.
Nanjing is also an important cultural centre, with institutions such as the Nanjing Library, which holds over 10 million volumes.
It is a hotbed of traditional Chinese arts, such as Kunqu opera and classical Chinese painting.
Local cuisine, particularly duck dishes, reflects Nanjing's rich gastronomic culture.