Shandong

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The climate is of the continental type, with hot dry summers and cold winters. The peninsula of Shandong, however, enjoys a mild climate.

The Longshan culture came into being in this area in the 3rd C BC. Since the 4th C. Shandong has been an important center of maritime trade. The 19th C brought catastrophic flooding. The Huanghe shifted its bed in the middle of this century but was brought under control by extensive dike construction. At the end of the 19th C the area came under German influence and in the 20th C was at times occupied by the Japanese. Since 1940 Shandong has developed, particularly in the industrial sphere.

Favorable natural resources and rich minerals have led to the development of extensive agriculture and industry here - particularly since the constant high water-level of the Huanghe was brought under control by dams and regulation. Wheat and maize, millet, groundnuts, sweet potatoes, tobacco, cotton and fruit are grown. Also playing an important role are silkworm cultivation, livestock rearing and freshwater and sea fishing.

Mining of coal, oil, iron-ore, bauxite and graphite is of great importance. Apart from the dominant food and textile industry (cotton production), there has developed since the early 1960s an iron and steel industry supplying tool-making machines, vehicle, locomotive and wagon construction, as well as oil production and chemical plants. Tsingtau and Yantai are important sea ports.