zhe

Zhe is the standard one-character abbreviation for Zhejiang Province, located on the eastern coast of China. The character 浙 (pinyin zhé, without tone marks) is used in official contexts such as government documents, statistics, and on vehicle license plates (prefix 浙). In English-language references, the abbreviation is commonly transliterated as Zhe.

Geographically, Zhejiang lies along the East China Sea and is part of the economically dynamic Yangtze River Delta region. The province features a long coastline and numerous islands. Its capital is Hangzhou, a historic city renowned for West Lake. Other major cities include Ningbo, Wenzhou, Jiaxing, Shaoxing, and Zhoushan. Zhejiang’s economy is diversified, with strengths in manufacturing, services, and digital commerce, and it plays a prominent role in China's private-sector economy and innovation networks.

Historically, Zhejiang has deep roots in ancient Yue and Wu cultures and has long been a center of trade and culture. Hangzhou served as a capital of the Southern Song Dynasty, contributing to the region’s historic prominence. In modern times, Zhejiang has developed a strong economic profile, notable for entrepreneurial activity, exports, and advanced manufacturing, alongside cultural contributions such as traditional crafts, tea production (notably Longjing), and distinctive Wu-language cultural heritage.

Summary: Zhe primarily denotes Zhejiang Province in administrative and linguistic contexts. It is associated with a populous, coastal region notable for its economic vitality, cultural history, and regional identity within eastern China.