Shandong leads China's output in more agricultural and industrial commodities than any other province. The Yellow River flows through Shandong and its flood plain makes up 65% of the provincial area. It is the second most populous province in China. The Germans, British, and Japanese have occupied Shandong. Its architecture reflects these influences. It is China's top producer of peanuts, apples, eggs, goat wool and aquatic products. It ranks in the top three in wheat, corn, tubers, oil-bearing crops, pears, grapes, beef, milk, wool and cashmere. It is the top producer of beer, cement, soda ash, mini-tractors, vegetable oil, salt and paper. Production of yarn, cloth, knitting wool, ceramics, refrigerators, coal, plate glass, and machine tools rank in China's top three. The famous Tsingtao brewery is known worldwide. We spent a wonderful week in Qingdao swimming and visiting friends at the Institute of Oceanology and Limnology.