Zhou (political division)

The zhōu (州) was a historical political division of China. First established during the Han Dynasty, zhou continued to exist until the establishment of the Republic of China — a period of over 2000 years. "Zhou" were also used in Korea, with the word borrowed into the Korean language as ju (주). See Provinces of Korea. The same word also forms the shu in the Japanese islands of Honshu and Kyushu.

Related Topics:
Historical political division - China - Han Dynasty - Republic of China - Korea - Korean language - Provinces of Korea - Honshu - Kyushu

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The Tang Dynasty also established fǔ (府), which were zhou of special importance, such as capitals and other major cities. These are also translated as "prefectures" into English. Fu was borrowed into the Japanese language and is still used today as the designation of Osaka prefecture and Kyoto prefecture. See Prefectures of Japan.

Related Topics:
Tang Dynasty - Japanese language - Osaka prefecture - Kyoto prefecture - Prefectures of Japan

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Zhou is usually rendered by several terms into the English language:

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• Zhou before the Tang Dynasty are called provinces or regions
• Zhou during or after the Tang Dynasty are called prefectures
• Zhou of the Qing Dynasty are also called departments (either independent departments or dependent departments depending on level.)
• Ju of Korea are called provinces

As an administrative entity, zhou exist today only in the form of zìzhìzhōu, or autonomous prefectures. These were established by the People's Republic of China as administrative areas for designated minorities. These zhou are not connected to the historical zhou described in the rest of this article.

Related Topics:
Autonomous prefecture - People's Republic of China - Designated minorities

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Zhou have left a huge mark on the place names of China: the province of Guizhou, as well as the major cities of Guangzhou, Fuzhou, Hangzhou, Zhengzhou, Lanzhou, Suzhou, Wenzhou, and many more, all owe their -zhou endings to their onetime status as zhou. The same goes for the Korean province of Jeju, as well as the cities of Gwangju, Jeonju, Naju, Cheongju, Chungju, Gongju, Sinŭiju, and many more.

Related Topics:
Place name - China - Guizhou - Guangzhou - Fuzhou - Hangzhou - Zhengzhou - Lanzhou - Suzhou - Wenzhou - Korea - Jeju - Gwangju - Jeonju - Naju - Cheongju - Chungju - Gongju - Sinŭiju

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Zhou (political division): History ►