Nanjing is the capital of Jiangsu province, China. Situated in the heartland of the Yangtze River Delta, it has long been a major center of culture, education, research, politics, economy, transport networks and tourism, and legally remains the de jure capital of Republic of China which lost the mainland during the civil war. The city has a prominent place in Chinese history and culture, having served as the capitals of various Chinese dynasties, kingdoms and republican governments.