Wuhan is the capital of Hubei province, and is the most populous city in the central area of the People's Republic of China. It lies in the east of the Jianghan Plain, and at the intersection of the middle reaches of the Yangtze and Han Rivers. Arising out of the conglomeration of three boroughs, Wuchang, Hankou, and Hanyang, Wuhan is known as the "thoroughfare of nine provinces"; it is a major transportation hub, with dozens of railways, roads and expressways passing through the city. The city of Wuhan, first termed as such in 1927, has a population of approximately 9 million people (2006), with about 6 million residents in its urban area.

Wuhan is a city with both an ancient history and a thriving present. Historic relics excavated from ancient tombs tell the city's long history dating back 3,500 years. In the period of Pre-Qin (770 B.C. - 221 B.C.), this was the land of the State of Chu (one of the seven warring states before Qin, in China's first feudal dynasty) and was the cradle of the brilliant Chu Civilization. Starting here, merchants followed the great Yangtze River and lakes network to expand businesses throughout the entire country.
 
Wuhan occupies a land area of 8494.41 km2, most of which is flat and spotted with hills and a great number of lakes and ponds. Wuhan's climate is a subtropical monsoon one with abundant rainfall and a distinct four seasons. Wuhan is known for its oppressively humid summers Because of its hot summer weather, Wuhan is known as one of the Three Furnaces of China, along with Nanjing and Chongqing. Wuhan is by far the hottest of the Three Furnaces; the average temperature in July is 37.2°C (99°F), and the maximum often exceeds 40°C (104°F). Spring and autumn are generally mild, while winter is cool with occasional snow.