Economy

Heze is the largest center in China for the cultivation of the "national flower" peony, after which the Mudan District was named. Over 30% of its national income comes from the sale of peony.According to the government numbers released in 1995, there are about 800,000 people living in this area.

Geography

Heze has a monsoon-influenced climate that lies between the humid subtropical and humid continental zones (Köppen Cwa/Dwa), with four well-defined seasons. The city is warm and nearly rainless in spring, hot and humid in summer, crisp in autumn and cold and dry in winter. The mean annual temperature is 13.74 °C (56.7 °F), with the monthly 24-hour average temperature ranging from −0.9 °C (30.4 °F) in January to 26.8 °C (80.2 °F) in July. Nearly 70% of the annual precipitation occurs from June to September. With monthly percent possible sunshine ranging from 48% in July to 60% in May, the city receives 2,411 hours of bright sunshine annually.

History

Qing & RepublicThe city's name in postal romanization is Tsaochow.People's RepublicIn August 1949 Heze was detached from Shandong and given to the experimental province of Pingyuan. It returned to Shandong just over three years later.In April 1953 Heze and Jining shared the counties of Huxi, which is no more.