Zhoukou

Zhoukou 周口市 Chowkow
Prefecture-level city
Shaying River near downtown of Zhoukou City
Zhoukou in Henan
Zhoukou Location in China
Coordinates (Zhoukou municipal government): 33°38′12″N 114°42′05″E / 33.6367°N 114.7014°E / 33.6367; 114.7014
Country	People's Republic of China
Province	Henan
Area [1]
• Prefecture-level city	11,959 km2 (4,617 sq mi)
• Urban	141 km2 (54 sq mi)
• Metro	1,454 km2 (561 sq mi)
Population  (2020 census for total, 2018 otherwise)[2]
• Prefecture-level city	9,026,015
• Density	750/km2 (2,000/sq mi)
• Urban	721,300
• Urban density	5,100/km2 (13,000/sq mi)
• Metro	1,601,300
• Metro density	1,100/km2 (2,900/sq mi)
GDP[3][4]
• Prefecture-level city	CN¥ 226.4 billion US$ 34.1 billion
• Per capita	CN¥ 25,682 US$ 3,866
Time zone	UTC+8 (China Standard)
Postal code	466000
Area code	0394
ISO 3166 code	CN-HA-16
Vehicle registration	豫P
Major Nationalities	Han
County-level divisions	9
Township-level divisions	1
Website	www.zhoukou.gov.cn

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 southwest, Xuchang and Luohe to the west, Kaifeng to the northwest, Shangqiu to the northeast, and the province of Anhui on all other sides. As of the 2020 census,^[5] its population was 9,026,015 inhabitants. However, as of the 2018 estimation, 1,601,300 lived in the built-up (or metro) made up of Chuanhui district and the northern part of Shangshui county.^[2]

The rich history and geographical advantages of Zhoukou have made it a unique city. As the ancient capitals of Emperor Yao and the birthplace of Laozi, it carries a profound cultural heritage of China. At the same time, the remnants of the Chen and Chu cultures endow Zhoukou with a distinctive historical charm. The development of the Lin'gang New City showcases the city's modernization process and economic vitality.^{[peacock prose]}

The convergence of the Sha Ying rivers has endowed Zhoukou with unparalleled geographical advantages, making it a hub known as the Central Plains Port City.^[6] This bestowed upon Zhoukou significant importance in ancient times, and today, with further improvements in transportation infrastructure, its advantages are even more pronounced.

The integrated transportation network comprising highways, railways, and waterways has provided robust support for the city's development, facilitating economic growth and connections with the outside world. This transportation advantage has not only driven the local economy of Zhoukou but has also positioned it as a vital nexus linking the Central Plains with other regions.^[7]