Hebei

Hebei is a province of the People's Republic of China located in the northern part of the country on the North China Plain. It surrounds the municipalities of Beijing and Tianjin and has a coastline along the Bohai Sea. The capital and largest city is Shijiazhuang.

Geography and climate: The northern part of Hebei lies on the plain, while the southern part is more mountainous, dominated by the Taihang Mountains. The Hai River system drains much of the province. Hebei experiences a continental monsoon climate with hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters; rainfall is heaviest in the summer months.

Administration and demographics: Hebei is divided into 11 prefecture-level cities, namely Shijiazhuang, Tangshan, Handan, Baoding, Qinhuangdao, Zhangjiakou, Chengde, Langfang, Hengshui, Xingtai, and Cangzhou. The population is among the most populous in China, with estimates around 75 to 76 million people. The province covers roughly 187,000 to 190,000 square kilometers.

Economy and infrastructure: Hebei has a diversified economy anchored in heavy industry, mining, and manufacturing, complemented by agriculture that produces crops such as wheat and corn as well as vegetables. It is served by major rail corridors and highways, with Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport as a key air hub. The coast at Qinhuangdao provides ports on the Bohai Sea, and the Beijing–Guangzhou high-speed railway passes through the province, linking it to major cities.

History and culture: Hebei has a long history as a core region of Chinese civilization and statecraft. It contains historic sites including sections of the Great Wall near Qinhuangdao and other cultural landmarks. Today, it combines industrial cities with agricultural areas, reflecting a diverse regional character and local traditions.