The city started as farming and fishing village in the 1980s and turned into one of China's largest cities and one of the richest city in less than three decades. Much of the development was the result of foreign investment and manufacturing.
1521 A Ming fleet based in docks at present-day Nanshan defeated the Portuguese fleet.
1980 The area of fishing and farming villages near the Hong Kong border was designated as a Special Economic Zone.
2011 The Shenzhen Universiade Games were held.
Significance of the city: It is an economically pioneering city and the 'vestibule' to Hong Kong's 'Doorway to China'. It may be China's wealthiest city; and it is one of the trading centers of the Pearl River Delta metropolis.
Municipality terrain: coastal area along the South China Sea, Pearl River delta, and low hills
Municipality location: southern China
Municipality population: (2010) 10,300,000
Municipality area: 2,050 sq km (791.5 sq mi)
Municipality population density: 5,052/sq km (13,086/sq mi)
Urban area: 412 sq km (159 sq mi)
Urban population: 3,500,000
Urban population density: 8,588/sq km (22,242/sq mi)
North to south distance of main urban area:6.3 km (4 mi)
East to west distance of main urban area: 26 km (16 mi)
City Center: Shenzhen Central Business District in Futian District (22.54N, 114.06E)
Annual average low temperature in January: 12 °C (53 °F)
Annual average high temperature in July: 32 °C (89 °F)
Humid subtropical climate; annual precipitation: 1,900 mm (75 in)
Monsoon-influenced, humid subtropical climate. Winters are dry and cool, but frost is rare. The proximity of the South China Sea makes the summers milder than in Guangzhou. There are some tropical storms or typhoons in the summers and autumns.
Average annual income: (2010) 95,000 RMB (14,615 USD)
Development: highly developed; the city is quickly growing both in terms of population and economic production.