Zaoyang

Zaoyang is a city in the north of Hubei province, People's Republic of China, bordering Henan province to the north. Administratively, it is a county-level city under the administration of Xiangyang. At the 2010 census its population was 1,004,741 inhabitants even though its built-up (metropolitan) area is much smaller.

History
Remains dating back to the Warring States period (771 - 221 BCE) have been found near the city. Zaoyang was the site of two major battles during the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Battle of Suixian-Zaoyang and the Battle of Zaoyang-Yichang.

Geography and climate
Zaoyang's administrative area spans in latitude 31° 40'−32° 40' N, or 78 km and in longitude 112° 30'−113° 00' N, or 65 km.

Zaoyang has a monsoon-influenced, four season humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cwa), with cold, damp (but comparatively dry), winters, and hot, humid summers. Monthly daily averages range from 2.7 °C in January to 27.6 °C in July, with an annual mean temperature of 15.9 °C. Precipitation peaks from May to August. The city receives an average 2,100 hours of sunshine per year.

Administrative divisions
Three subdistricts:
 * Beicheng Subdistrict, Nancheng Subdistrict , Huancheng Subdistrict

Twelve towns:
 * Juwan, Qifang , Yangdang , Taiping , Xinshi , Lutou , Liusheng , Xinglong , Wangcheng , Wudian , Xiongji , Pinglin

Other areas:
 * Zaoyang Economic Zone, Suiyang , Chehe

Transport
Zaoyang is served by the Hankou–Danjiangkou Railway.

Notable people

 * Emperor Guangwu of Han, creator of the Eastern Han dynasty, born in Zaoyang in 5 BCE.
 * Nie Haisheng, Flight Engineer of China's 2005 Shenzhou 6 manned spacecraft expedition, born in Zaoyang in 1964.