Climate and farming

Eastern China has a marine monsoon sub-tropical climate, and the weather is generally warm and humid. However, winter temperatures can drop as low as -10°C/14°F and, even in springtime, large temperature fluctuations can occur. The Yangtze River Delta contains the most fertile soils in all of China. Rice is the dominant crop of the delta, but further inland, fishing rivals it for supremacy.

The other major crops of this region are tea and silk, both of which have been farmed here for hundreds of years.