Chengdu is geographically located in the southwestern part of China and is considered part of South China according to the traditional division of the country by the Qinling Mountains-Huaihe River line. Situated in the upper Yangtze River valley and the heart of the Sichuan Basin, it possesses a humid subtropical climate characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers, which is typical of southern regions. While it is a major hub for Western China, its cultural and linguistic ties, specifically its famous Sichuanese cuisine and Southwestern Mandarin dialect, further align it with the southern half of the country. Historically and administratively, it serves as the capital of Sichuan Province, which is consistently categorized within the Southwest China region.