The City of Beijing

http://www.beijingfeeling.com
Situated at a location 40 degrees north latitude and 116 degrees east longitude,the city of Beijing is backed by mountainous areas to the north and west and overlooks the North China Plain to the south and east.The city lies at an average elevation of about 43 meters(140 feet) above the sea level,with the Yanshan Mountains the western one,both of which converge at Nankou Pass.

The city covers an area of 16,800 square kilometers(6,490 square miles),38 percent of which is flat land while the rest is mountainous area.Its highest point,2,303 meters(7,556 feet) above sea level,is found on top of Lingshan,in the district of Mentougou.

The city stands more than 180 kilometers(112 miles) northwest of the Gulf of Bohai.It is divided into 16districts and 2 counties.

Beijing enjoys a moderate continental climate that is typical of the most of the Temperate Zone where the four seasons are distinct.Spring in Beijing is often dry and windy.Summer is usually hot and rainy.Autumn is fine and mild and is the best season of the whole year.Winter is sometimes severely cold with little snow.The amount of precipitation averages about 600-700mm(24-27 inches),with most of the annual total falling from July to August.The frost-free period is 185-200 days.