Located in the southeastern Coast of Fujian, Quanzhou is sited at latitude 24°22'-25°56' north and longitude 117°34'- 119°05' east, and covers an area of 11,220.5 square kilometers. With a total population of 6,546,200, Quanzhou governs 4 districts (Licheng, Fengze, Luojiang and Quangang), 3 subordinated cities (Shishi, Jinjiang and Nan'an) and 5 counties (Huian, Anxi, Yongchun, Dehua and Jinmen), where Min-nan (South Fujian) dialect is the native language. Quanzhou is the starting-point of "Maritime Silk Road", as well as one of the first batch of 24 historical cities listed by the State Council. As early as in Tang Dynasty, the Ci-Tong Port of Quanzhou was one of major four foreign trade ports of China, and it was as well known as the Alexandria Port of Egypt and praised as the Grand Oriental Port during the Song Dynasty and the Yuan Dynasty. The city is also known as a famous hometown of numerous overseas Chinese and Taiwan compatriots. Currently, there are more than 6 million overseas Chinese of Quanzhou origin dispersed over 100 countries and regions, as well as 680,000 Hong Kong and Macao compatriots. Among all Taiwan compatriots, there are 9 million compatriots (44.8%) with Quanzhou origin, and it has always been a tradition of numerous overseas Chinese and Taiwan compatriots of Quanzhou origin to assist the development and construction of Quzhou City. Quanzhou is a well-known hometown for overseas Chinese and a majority of the Han population in Taiwanese. The total population in the municipality is over 6.7 million. About 9 million of Han nationality in Taiwan are originally from Quanzhou. In recent years, the number of visitors from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao has been increasing. They come back for pilgrimage to their visit ancestors’ graves, visit their families and friends, make investments and conduct business and sightseeing. This has greatly promoted the social and economic development in Quanzhou. Quanzhou is one of first 24 important national historic and cultural cities announced by the State Council. From Tang Dynasty to Yuan Dynasty, “Citong Port” in Quanzhou was one of the major ports for foreign trade. It was the departure point of “marine silk route” and enjoyed the grand reputation of “largest oriental port”. The city has numerous famous scenic spots, cultural and historic relics. Among 399 protected cultural relics in the city, 12 are of state level and 37 are of province level. | 
