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Shandong Province
Shandong is on the lower reaches of the Huanghe River (Yellow River) in
the eastern part of the North China Plain. The Shandong Peninsular
borders on the Bohai Sea in the northwest and the Yellow Sea in the
northeast and south, with a coastline running about 3,000 kilometers.
The whole province covers an area of over 153,000 square kilometers and
has population of 91.80 million (2004), Shandong province's total
population is the second only to
Henan Province in all China's
provinces, consisting of the Han, Hui, Man and other nationalities. The
city of
Jinan is the seat of the provincial
capital.
Climate of Shandong Province
It is rainy in summer and clear and dry in winter. It is milader and
more humid in Shandong Province than in other parts of the North China
Plain. The average annual temperature in the province is between 11 °C
and 14.5 °C. January is the coldest month with an average temperature
between -5 °C and -1 °C. In the hottest month of July, the temperature
averages between 24 °C and 27 °C. Generally speaking, the temperature is
lower in the east and higher in the southwest. The average annual
rainfall is between 560 and 1,170mm, with most of the rain falling in
summer.
History of Shandong Province
Shandong Province has a time-honored history with a rich culture.
Chengziya of Longshan Township of Zhangqiu County, is an important
historical site of the "Longshan culture" of the Neolithic Age. Large
quantities of cultural relics were unearthed there. The pottery
excavated in white, grey, black, red and yellow in color, and is
characterized by its dark brightness, exquisite craftsmanship, toughness
and eggshell thinness. Culture which belongs to the same system as that
of the relics in Chengziya of Longshan Township is generally call the
the "Longshan culture" or "Black-Pottery culture". Like Yangshao and
Xiaotun cultures, Longshan culture can be traced back to the same origin
of the Cathaysian culture.
In 1959,
a large site of historical remains of the later period of the Neolithic
Age, which was even earlier than the Longshan culture, was discovered in
Dawenkou Village, named "Dawenkou culture". This discovery pointed to
the origin of the Longshan culture and also provided important clues to
the studies of the primitive culture in the coastal area of Shandong and
Zhejiang Province in the Huanghe and
Huaihe Rivers valleys. More than two thousands years ago, Shandong was
under the jurisdiction partly of the State of Qi and partly of the State
of Lu. Yingqiu, the capital of the State of Qi, was where Linzi is
today, and the ruins of the ancient city still remain.
Qufu is the former seat of the capital
of the State of Lu, and its remains are still there. As a result of
historical evolution through various dynasties, Shandong was established
as a province in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and has since remained as
such."
Shandong's Typical Local Cuisine
Shandong dishes have a long history. They consist mainly of local
Jinan
and Jiaodong dishes and represent one of the four major schools of
famous dishes in China. Jinan dishes are known for their cuisine, such
as quick-fry, cooking, baking, stewing and roasting, stir-fry, sauté and
deep-fry and also for its delicate fragrance, freshness, crispness and
tenderness. Jinan broth is clear and delicious and the creamy juice is
white and mellow. There are such famous dishes as sweet and sour Yellow
River crap and pig's large intestines. Jiaodong Peninsular is famous for
its various local dishes of fresh sea foods, quick-fried, deep-fried,
braised or steamed, delicious in flavor and yet not greasy. Attention
is paid to keeping the delicious flavor of the main ingredients.
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