Zhoukou

Zhoukou
周口市
Prefecture-level city

Shaying River near downtown of Zhoukou City

Zhoukou in Henan
Zhoukou

Location in China

Coordinates: 33°38′N 114°38′E / 33.633°N 114.633°E / 33.633; 114.633Coordinates: 33°38′N 114°38′E / 33.633°N 114.633°E / 33.633; 114.633
Country People's Republic of China
Province Henan
Area
 • Prefecture-level city 11,959 km2 (4,617 sq mi)
 • Urban 141 km2 (54 sq mi)
 • Metro 141 km2 (54 sq mi)
Population (2010 census)
 • Prefecture-level city 8,953,793
 • Density 750/km2 (1,900/sq mi)
 • Urban 505,571
 • Urban density 3,600/km2 (9,300/sq mi)
 • Metro 505,571
 • Metro density 3,600/km2 (9,300/sq mi)
Time zone China Standard (UTC+8)
Postal code 466000
Area code(s) 0394
Vehicle registration 豫P
GDP(2009) CNY 111,170,000,000[1]
Major Nationalities Han
County-level divisions 9
Township-level divisions 1
Website www.zk.gov.cn
Chuanhui District, Zhoukou

Zhoukou (Chinese: 周口; pinyin: Zhōukǒu; Wade–Giles: Chou-k’ou; postal: Chowkow) is a prefecture-level city in eastern Henan province, China. It borders Zhumadian to the southeast, Xuchang and Luohe to the west, Kaifeng to the northwest, Shangqiu to the northeast, and the province of Anhui on all other sides. Its population was 8,953,793 inhabitants at the 2010 census whom 535,738 lived in the built-up (or metro) made up of Chuanhui district and the northern part of Shangshui county.

Administration

The prefecture-level city of Zhoukou administers 1 district, 1 county-level city and 8 counties.

History

Further information: Chenzhou (modern Henan)

For thousands of years, Chen (now at Huaiyang) had been the center of this area and a nationally well-known city. The ancient city site founded at Pingliangtai (near Huaiyang) is over 4600 years old, which is one of the oldest cities in China.[2] According to the legend, Fu Xi, the first of the Three Sovereigns of ancient China, died in the city. During the Spring and Autumn period, Chen was the capital of Chen State and then annexed by Chu. Therefore, the area was usually referred to as "Chen Chu" in ancient times. The leaders of the first Chinese peasant uprising (the Dazexiang Uprising) established the government at Chen.

The city's name "Zhoukou" is short for "Zhoujiakou", which literally means "Zhou's ferry". Located at the intersection of Jialu River and Shaying River, it started to develop as a river harbor of China's Inland Water Transport System in the early Ming Dynasty. By the end of the 18th century, two towns along the rivers merged into one big town with several tens of thousand permanent residents. From the port, cargo could either be shipped south to the Yangtze River or north to the Yellow River. However, after the "sea ban" was canceled, sea transport began to play a major role on the trade between Jiangnan and North China, which diminished the utility of inland waterways. The cost of maintaining the river channels kept increasing because of the ever-rising river bed. The appearance of railways and modern roads in the early 20th century lead to a recession in the water transport business nearby. Finally, in the 1970s, a dam was built on the Shaying River, which cut the city's last waterway.

In 2000, the government of the Zhoukou prefecture-level city was founded. The old county-level city and its suburban area became Chuanhui District.

Economy

Zhoukou is a major agricultural producer in the province of Henan. Its economy is mainly based on the trade of agricultural products, such as grain, cotton, oil, meat and tobacco. In particular, Zhoukou is famous for the skin of the Huai Goat, a local breed of goat.

Transportation

Railways

Expressways

Highways

Education

Universities and Colleges

Schools[3]

Famous people

Sister cities

References

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