Henan

Henan is a landlocked province in the central part of the People's Republic of China. It lies on the North China Plain and is bordered by Shanxi to the west, Hebei to the north, Shandong to the east, and Anhui, Hubei and Hunan to the south. The provincial capital is Zhengzhou. Henan has a long history as a cultural and political center, with ancient capitals at Luoyang and Anyang illustrating its significance in early Chinese civilization. Notable cultural landmarks include the Longmen Grottoes near Luoyang and the Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng. The Grand Canal also traverses the province, linking it to other regions.

Geographically, Henan features a predominantly plain landscape shaped by the Yellow River in its northern areas. The climate is temperate and monsoon-influenced, with hot summers, cold winters, and ample summer rainfall that supports extensive agriculture.

Economically, Henan combines a large agricultural sector with growing manufacturing and logistics industries. It is one of China's leading grain-producing provinces, with wheat and maize among its staple crops. The provincial economy is anchored by Zhengzhou, a major transport hub that serves as a center for rail, road, and air connections, including Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport and extensive high-speed rail links.

Demographically, Henan is among the most populous provinces, with an extensive rural and urban population. The region predominantly speaks varieties of Zhongyuan Mandarin, and its cuisine reflects northern Chinese flavors. Higher education institutions include Zhengzhou University and Henan University, along with several other universities and research institutes.