厦门市是我国五个经济特区之一，现辖思明、湖里、集美、海沧、同安和翔安6个区，通行闽南方言。相传远古时为白鹭栖息之地，故又称“鹭岛”。厦门市位于东经118°04′04″、北纬24°26′46″，地处我国东南沿海----福建省东南部、九龙江入海处，背靠漳州、泉州平原，濒临台湾海峡，面对金门诸岛，与台湾宝岛和澎湖列岛隔海相望。厦门由厦门岛、鼓浪屿、内陆九龙江北岸的沿海部分地区以及同安等组成，陆地面积1565.09多平方公里，海域面积300多平方公里。是一个国际性海港风景城市。

       厦门属亚热带气候，温和多雨，年平均气温在21℃左右，夏无酷暑，冬无严寒。年平均降雨量在1200毫米左右，每年5至8月份雨量最多，风力一般3至4级，常向主导风力为东北风。由于太平洋温差气流的关系，每年平均受4至5次台风的影响，且多集中在7至9月份。 

厦门市现辖思明、湖里、集美、海沧、同安和翔安6个区。全市人口中以汉族居多，另有回、满、壮、畲、苗、及高山等20多个少数民族。由于地理环境和历史背景的因素，拥有众多的归侨、侨眷及厦门籍侨胞和港、澳、台同胞。2010年，全市户籍人口180.21万人。其中，城镇人口145.07万人，岛内的思明、湖里两区合计85.48万人，占全市的47.43%；全市人口出生率12.27‰，人口死亡率8.01‰，人口自然增长率4.26‰,比上年下降4.05个千分点；男性人口和女性人口分别为90.18万人、90.02万人，性别比为100.18（女性为100）。

相关链接：http://english.xm.gov.cn/

Located at the southeast coast of China, Xiamen is a tourist city of Fujian Province famous for its attractive seascape. As one of the major seaports since ancient times, it boasts a wide gulf with deep water but without freezing and silting. The name of 'Xiamen' was consequently given, which means 'a gate of China'. As one of the forerunners of the special economic zones of China, the city mainly consisting of Xiamen Island, Gulangyu Island, the north bank area of the Jiulong River and Tong'an County, is connected with the mainland by the Gaoji Seawall, Xiamen Bridge, etc. The city has been called the Egret Island because of the hundreds of thousands of egrets inhabiting there. This is due to the beautiful natural scenery, the fresh air and the clean environment of the city.

Being of a subtropical monsoon climate with mild weather all year round expect the typhoon months, Xiamen is an ideal tourist destination for you. It is a typical littoral city with abundant tourist attractions such as islands, mountains, temples and parks, etc., providing you with a full sightseeing schedule. The well-known Gulangyu Island, South Putuo Temple and other tourist areas like Jimei, Hulishan Battery, Wanshiyan, etc. are highly recommended. A sea tourist line is also available for you to enjoy the amazing scenery of many beautiful small islands around.

Xiamen enjoys convenient transportation. You can go there by air, by train, by coach or by sea. The transportation within the city is also satisfying. Most tourists consider the accommodation, consisting of many star rated hotels, convenient. Meanwhile there are plenty of special local products to be added to your shopping list, including various kinds of tealeaves, fruits like sugarcanes, olives and longans as well as sea products such as fish, prawns, crabs, abalones and lancelets.

Being the hometown of many overseas Chinese, Xiamen has actually benefited from the contribution of overseas Chinese and its economy has undertaken great advancement. To promote its tourism industry, it has established not only the corresponding infrastructures, but also a great variety of entertainment centers. The folk customs of the minorities, varied local festivals and especially the particular local dishes and snacks are also appealing to visitors. Xiamen, with distinct oriental culture and southern Fujian features, welcomes you from all over the world.

Reference Website: http://english.xm.gov.cn/