# Shanghai Institute of Natural Sciences

> former research institute in Shanghai, China

**Wikidata**: [Q16928516](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16928516)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/shanghai-institute-of-natural-sciences

## Summary
The Shanghai Institute of Natural Sciences is a former research institute located in the Xuhui District of Shanghai, People's Republic of China. Classified as an organization dedicated to research, it is documented in multiple academic and knowledge graph databases. The institute is distinct from the Shanghai Natural History Museum, despite sharing a similar naming convention.

## Key Facts
- **Instance of:** Research institute (organization whose primary purpose is research).
- **Status:** Former research institute.
- **Location:** Xuhui District, Shanghai.
- **Country:** People's Republic of China.
- **IdRef Identifier:** 14878495X (validated via VIAF as of July 6, 2022).
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** /g/11b5m49790.
- **Wikipedia Presence:** Documented in 2 language editions (Japanese and Chinese).
- **Sitelink Count:** 2.

## FAQs
### Q: Where was the Shanghai Institute of Natural Sciences located?
A: The institute was located in the Xuhui District of Shanghai, within the People's Republic of China.

### Q: Is the Shanghai Institute of Natural Sciences still active?
A: No, according to its Wikidata description, it is classified as a "former" research institute.

### Q: What was the primary purpose of the Shanghai Institute of Natural Sciences?
A: As a research institute, its primary purpose was research. It functioned as an organization dedicated to scientific or academic study.

### Q: In which databases is the institute listed?
A: The entity is listed in the Google Knowledge Graph, the IdRef authority file (ID 14878495X), and has Wikipedia entries in Japanese and Chinese.

## Why It Matters
As a named entity within the academic and knowledge landscape of Shanghai, the Shanghai Institute of Natural Sciences represents a specific node in the history of Chinese scientific organization. Its presence in the Xuhui District—a major administrative and educational center in Shanghai—places it within a significant geographic context for scientific development in China.

The institute's inclusion in international authority control systems (such as IdRef) and the Google Knowledge Graph underscores its relevance in bibliographic and data management contexts. While it is no longer an active institute, its classification helps distinguish the organizational history of natural sciences in the region. Its distinct entity status ensures it is not confused with museums or other similar institutions, maintaining the integrity of academic and historical records.

## Notable For
- Being a **former** entity specifically classified as a research institute rather than a museum or university.
- Location in **Xuhui District**, a district known for its dense concentration of historical and scientific institutions in Shanghai.
- Inclusion in the **Google Knowledge Graph**, verifying its status as a recognized entity.
- Possessing a distinct **IdRef identifier**, confirming its presence in French academic authority files.
- Having a bilingual Wikipedia footprint (Japanese and Chinese), indicating regional documentation.

## Body

### Organizational Classification
The Shanghai Institute of Natural Sciences is classified as an instance of a "research institute." By definition, this places the entity within a category of organizations whose primary purpose is to conduct research. Unlike educational institutions that focus on teaching, or museums that focus on public exhibition, a research institute is fundamentally oriented toward the generation of knowledge and data.

### Geographic Location
The institute was situated in the **Xuhui District** of **Shanghai**, in the **People's Republic of China**. Xuhui District is historically significant in Shanghai for its concentration of cultural and scientific institutions, making it a strategic location for a research facility.

### Digital and Academic Identifiers
The entity is tracked through several unique identifiers, reflecting its validity within global knowledge systems:
*   **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** `/g/11b5m49790`
*   **IdRef ID:** `14878495X` (Referenced via source Q54919).

### Operational Status
The institute is explicitly described as a "former" research institute. This status implies that while the organization played a role in the research landscape of Shanghai, it has either ceased operations, merged with another entity, or been reconstituted under a different name or structure. The specific dates of operation are not provided in the source material, but its current status is confirmed as inactive.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File