Guangzhou is a sub-provincial city of the Guangdong Province in the People's Republic of China. The areas surrounding the city including the areas between Hong Kong and Guangzhou city itself, is collectively referred to as Canton. Nicknames given to the city include 'The Flower City' and 'Five Rams City'. A 2000 census determined that the city had a population of 6 million people with the metropolitan population reaching 8.5 million. This makes it the most populous city in Province and the 3rd most populous in all of mainland China. The city was officiated in 1918.

The city's economy depends on commercial trade and manufacturing. It is, in fact, one of China's leading manufacturing region. In 2008, the city had a reported GDP of around $118 Billion. Annually, the city hosts the China Import and Export Fair, which is also called the Canton Fair. The fair is held every April and October and is hosted by the Ministry of Trading. The city is served by an underground railway system as well as the New Baiyun International Airport.

The population in the area is mostly made up of Cantonese Chinese. The region where Guangzhou is located is known for its distinctive cuisine, opera and music. The city has several parks which include the Baiyun Mountain, Luhu Park, Yuntain Garden, and the South China Botanical Garden. National universities located in Guangzhou include Sun Yat-sen University, the South China University of Technology, the Guangdong University of Foreign Studies and the South China Normal University.