SHENZHEN BASICS

Shenzhen is a city of sub-provincial administrative status in southern China's Guangdong province, situated immediately north of Hong Kong. Owing to China's economic liberalization from the policies of reformist leader Deng Xiaoping, the area became China's first - and ultimately most successful - Special Economic Zone.
Shenzhen's novel and modern cityscape is the result of the vibrant economy made possible by rapid foreign investment since the late 1970s, when it was a small fishing village. Since then, foreign nationals have invested more than US$30 billion for building factories and forming joint ventures. It is now reputedly one of the fastest growing cities in the world.[1] Being southern China's major financial centre, Shenzhen is home to the Shenzhen Stock Exchange as well as the headquarters of numerous high-tech companies. Shenzhen is also the second busiest port in mainland China, ranking only after Shanghai.
Shenzhen will be the host city of the 2011 Summer Universiade.

Area: 1,954.84 square kilometers (about 483,050 acres)
Population: 8,277,500
Area Code: 0755
Zip Code: 518100

Language: Mandarin is the official language and nearly everyone understands it. However, Cantonese is widely used.

Status: Shenzhen is a Special Economic Zone, with many advantages for foreign investors.