Background to the recent development of Shenzhen municipality.

The Shenzhen project was initiated in the spring of 1980 with the objective of providing a comprehensive geographical survey of the Shenzhen Municipality with particular reference to the Special Economic Zones. Following an introductory section focus in this background paper is on the following: physical geography of Shenzhen (geographical location geology relief drainage climate soils natural vegetation) and population and settlement (the emergence of Shenzhen and Luohu and general pattern of population distribution). The boundary of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone was not finalized until September 1980. Initially it was planned that the whole municipality would become the Special Economic Zone. In the final decision an area of 327.6 square kilometers stretching from Meisha to Shekou was delineated. Shenzhen is located on the southern part of Guangdong Province adjoining the New Territories of Hong Kong. Chinese control over the area of what is now known as the Shenzhen Municipality dated back as early as the Tsin Dynasty yet early colonization and settlement of this part of China was slow in the early phase of Chinese expansion. Despite the proximity to metropolitan Hong Kong with the exception of Shenzhen Town the municipality remains very much rural with typical market towns serving the basic needs of the adjoining villages. Much of the settlement pattern has been dictated by the rugged topography of the area. The present population and municipality is approximately 360000 but there is no official publication to verify this figure. Municipality is 1 of the outcomes of the new economic policy in China. Preparations are under way for the creation of a suitable investment climate and a period of rapid growth.