Shandong has a warm-temperate monsoonal climate, with hot, rainy summers and dry, sunny winters. In winter, it is more humid and warm in Shandong than in north China. Its coastal and inland regions experience a sharp difference in climate. Shandong has a mean annual temperature of 12°－14°C, increasing from the northeastern seaboard to the west and the south, and a mean annual precipitation of 500-900 mm or more, increasing from northwest to southeast.

Shandong Province is called Lu for short. Shandong is a key production area of grain, cotton and oil crops. It usually ranks first or second in production output. Shandong is also well known for its tobacco, fruit, peanuts, tussah silks, meat, and marine products. Its major mineral deposits include coal, petroleum, iron, aluminium, and gold. The coastal area is abundant in fish and salt. Shandong's industry covers oil extraction, processing, machinery, electric power, chemicals, foodstuff, textile, arts and crafts, and papermaking, etc.

With railway as its mainstay of transport, Shandong is one of the provinces with the most dense highway network. It has seaports like Qingdao, Yantai, Weihai, and Rizhao, etc. Major cities are Jinan, Qufu, Qingdao, Yantai, Weifang, and Zibo.

Shandong is rich in historical and cultural resources, and gifted with beautiful landscapes, with 157 cultural relics preservation sites under the state protection. Among its famous scenic spots and historical sides are Taishan Mountain, Laoshan Mountain, the Lingyan Temple, seaside of Jiaodong Peninsular, Confucius Family Mansion, Confucius Woods and Temple in Qufu, etc. Qufu and Jinan cities are famous historical and cultural cities in the world. Jinan, capital of Shandong Province, is known as the City of Springs with the famous Daming Lake and at least 72 famous springs.