This Copernicus Sentinel-2 picture captures the intricate mix of pure, rural and concrete landscapes round Kunshan, a metropolis in jap China.
Zoom in to discover this picture at its full 10 m decision or click on on the circles to be taught extra.
Located within the coronary heart of the Yangtze River Delta area in Jiangsu Province, Kunshan is residence to about 1.6 million folks. It nestles between the main hubs of Shanghai to the east and Suzhou to the west.
Kunshan covers over 900 sq km of largely flat terrain. Owing to its low-lying geography, the town has traditionally been vulnerable to flooding, a problem exacerbated by fast urbanisation. In response, Kunshan has applied a polder system consisting of dikes with waterways managed by means of gates and pumps.
Zooming into the city areas, the smaller crimson buildings usually point out homes, whereas bigger white and light-blue buildings denote factories and warehouses.
Kunshan can also be identified for its well-preserved historic water cities, together with Zhouzhuang, probably the most well-known in China. Courting again greater than 900 years, Zhouzhuang, on the backside centre of the picture, is understood for its historic homes and scenic waterways.
The town can also be dotted with quite a few lakes, the biggest of which seen within the picture embody Dianshan Lake, partially seen within the backside centre, Cheng Lake to its left, and Yangcheng Lake on the metropolis edge within the high left.
Yangcheng Lake is a crucial freshwater useful resource for the entire province and is legendary for the Chinese language mitten crab, which is taken into account a delicacy. The oblong crab farming ponds are clear to see in the course of the lake, whereas water vegetation stand out in vibrant inexperienced.
Rivers and forests cowl greater than 1 / 4 of the town. The Wusong River, seen in gentle inexperienced throughout the centre of the picture, winds by means of the town, whereas smaller rivers type a grid-like sample.
Protecting an space of round 15 sq km, Forest Park, an ecological wetland stuffed with quite a lot of vegetation, and Tinglin Park, identified for its lush inexperienced peak and pristine waters, supply scenic escapes from the city centre.
