Nepedia
Back to Discover
Advanced Reader
🗺️

Jiaozuo

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Jiaozuo is a prefecture-level city located in northwest Henan province, China. It sits on the northern bank of the Yellow River. To the north, the city is bordered by the province of Shanxi. It also sits near the Taihang Mountains. The city is a key part of the Central Plains urban agglomeration. It also serves as a regional central city near the Shanxi–Henan border. The city's geography is defined by its proximity to these mountains and the river.

The landscape near the Taihang Mountains features gravel slopes. These slopes cover about 500 square miles in the northern part of Jiaozuo. The geology in this area is hard and stable. The strata, or layers of rock, show great endurance. This stable ground makes the region useful for various activities. The area is also close to important mines and water sources. It sits near major traffic arteries that connect different regions.

Jiaozuo has a temperate semi-arid climate, known scientifically as Köppen BSk. This means the area has four distinct seasons. The Taihang Mountains provide a shielding influence for the city. This shield makes the urban core warmer than nearby cities like Zhengzhou or Xinxiang. Winters are typically cool and relatively dry. Summers are hot and often bring rain. The annual mean temperature and precipitation follow these seasonal patterns.

Human history in this region is incredibly deep. Tribes lived in the Jiaozuo administrative region during the matriarchal commune period. This was more than 8,000 years ago. During the Xia dynasty, the area was known as Qinhuai Land. It belonged to Jizhou, which was one of the nine states in the "Yu Gong" text. Over many centuries, the land changed hands many times. It was part of the Shang and Western Zhou dynasties. It also belonged to various kingdoms like Wei and the Three Kingdoms of Yong, Xin, and Wen.

The modern administrative history of Jiaozuo is complex. In 1910, the Qing government established Jiaozuo Town in Xiuwu County. After the city was liberated in 1945, its governance shifted several times. In 1956, the Jiaozuo Mining Area was converted into a provincial municipality. This meant it was under the direct leadership of Henan Province. In 1983, Xiuwu and Boai counties were transferred to the city. Later, in 1986, several other counties were added to Jiaozuo's jurisdiction.

Jiaozuo's economy has undergone a major transformation. For a long time, the city relied on coal mining. Until the early 1990s, coal-related industries made up over 90% of the city's industrial added value. This industry supported thermal power stations and chemical plants. These plants produced soda ash and automotive tires. However, coal resources became exhausted in the 2000s. Since 2008, the city has shifted toward manufacturing. In 2019, the city's GDP reached 276.11 billion yuan. This was an 8.0% increase from the previous year.

Agriculture remains a vital part of the local economy. Jiaozuo has a very high grain yield. It is the highest in Henan province. The city is one of the largest grain producers in all of China. Farmers also grow important medicinal herbs. These include Chinese yam, chrysanthemum, achyranthes, and rehmannia. Together, these are called the "Four Great Huai Medicines." Tourism is also growing as a significant sector. Visitors come to see Yuntai Mountain or the Jiaozuo Film and Television City.

焦作影视城
焦作影视城

The city's population is large and mostly urban. As of the end of 2022, the permanent population was 3.5235 million people. This includes 2.2674 million urban residents. The urbanization rate was 64.35% at that time. The city is well-connected by many expressways. By the end of 2019, the expressway mileage reached 239.51 km. Jiaozuo is also home to Henan Polytechnic University. Founded in 1909, it is the earliest mining institute in China. The Jiaozuo Museum also holds a massive collection of Han-dynasty grave goods.

649 words

Where will your curiosity go next?

Keep exploring at your chosen reading level.

🖼️ Images & Media (1)
File:焦作影视城.jpg
焦作影视城.jpg
More to explore

✨ What else?

Related topics you might enjoy

🔬 Go deeper

More advanced topics to explore

🪜 Step back

Simpler topics to build understanding

What is Nepedia?

A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.