南通市是江苏省的一个地级市，位于长江三角洲的北部，毗邻上海市，是江苏省东北部的重要经济中心和交通枢纽。南通市下辖3个区、2个县和1个县级市，总面积为8542平方公里，总人口约为839万人。

How to pronounce (phonetic): nán tōng shì

Usage: 南通市 is often used as a geographical term to refer to the city itself or its administrative region.

Example sentences:

1. 南通市是一座美丽的沿海城市。

Nántōng shì shì yī zuò měilì de yánhǎi chéngshì.

Nantong is a beautiful coastal city.

2. 作为长江三角洲经济带重要节点，南通市发展迅速。

Zuòwéi chángjiāng sānjiǎozhōu jīngjìdài zhòngyào jiédiǎn, nántōng shì fāzhǎn xùnsù.

As an important node in the Yangtze River Delta economic belt, Nantong has developed rapidly.

3. 南通市致力于提升城市环境质量。

Nántōng shì zhèngfǔ zhìlì yú tíshēng chéngshì huánjìng zhìliàng.

The government of Nantong is committed to improving the city's environmental quality.

4. 南通市的港口是重要的对外贸易港口之一。

Nántōng shì de gǎngkǒu shì zhōngguó zhòngyào de duìwài màoyì gǎngkǒu zhī yī.

The port of Nantong is one of China's important ports for foreign trade.

5. 南通市拥有丰富的历史文化遗产。

Nántōng shì yǒngyǒu fēngfù de lìshǐ wénhuà yíchǎn.

Nantong has abundant historical and cultural heritage.

Synonyms and usage:

南通 (nántōng) is a shortened form of 南通市 (nántōng shì) and can be used interchangeably in most cases.

Conclusion:

南通市 is a city in Jiangsu Province, China, known for its rapid economic development and beautiful coastal scenery. Its strategic location makes it an important transportation hub in the Yangtze River Delta region. As a key player in China's foreign trade, Nantong also boasts rich historical and cultural heritage.