Townsville is located in the north of Queensland, Australia. It is the administrative, economic, industrial and commercial center of the northern part of the state. The city covers an area of 3,736 square kilometers and has a population of 229,000. The city has a diversified economy, with a high reputation for large-scale agriculture, animal husbandry and fruit planting, and developed mineral development, smelting and port transportation. The city is located in the tropics, with abundant sunshine, charming beaches, and the world-famous marine natural landscape-the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. On April 30, 1995, it officially established a friendly city relationship with Changshu City.