Known also as Canton, Guangzhou is the capital of Guangdong province and one of the most prosperous cities in China. The city is located at the north of the Pearl River delta, covering an area of over 16,000 square kilometers. It has a history of more than 2,800 years, with the longest history among the international trade port cities in the world. The Chinese Export Commodity Fair (Canton Fair) has been held twice a year in the city since 1957.