Also called Su for short, Jiangsu Province is situated in China's southeast coast, on the lower reaches of the Changjiang (Yangtze) River where the Changjiang River, the Grand Canal, Taihu Lake, and Hongze Lake join forces to form the Changjiang River Delta, a wellknown network of waterways in China. The province has an area of more than 100,000 square kilometers, most of which being plains, and a population of about 70 million. One of the densely populated provinces in China, it is inhabited by the Han, Hui, Man, and other ethnic groups. Nanjing is the provincial capital.

Jiangsu has a long history. It was part of State Wu and State Yue during the Spring and Autumn and the Warring States periods (770 -221 B. C.). It belonged to Xuzhou and Yangzou at Han times (206 B. C.- A. D. 220) and to Henan and Zhejiang provinces in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), it was under the jurisdiction of Nanjing. Jiangsu was made a province during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It is divided into northern and southern Jiangsu by the Changjiang. The province has a mild climate and a welldeveloped economy, and it is a "land of plenty," producing rice, wheat, cotton, silk, and fish.

There are many places of historic interest in Jiangsu, including 41 under State protection, and scenic attractions, including four national and seven provincial scenic areas. Of the tourist cities, Nanjing is known for the historical sites of six feudal dynasties; Suzhou, for the classical gardens; Wuxi, for the landscape of Taihu Lake; Yangzhou, for the culture of the Han and Tang dynasties; Zhenjiang for the mountains and temples; Changzhou, for the sites of ancient towns; Yixing, for its pottery, caves, bamboo groves, and tea; Xuzhou, for the culture of the Qin and Han regimes; Lianyungang, for the sight of the Yellow Sea; Nantong, for its scenery of the rivers and sea; Changshu, for temples in the famous mountains; and Huai'an, for the sites of noted personages.

A tour of Jiangsu can be made by dragonboat on the ancient Grand Canal to get some idea of the Oriental culture or by bicycle to learn the customs and habits in the rural areas.